Our History

Our History

Presbyterians have a rich history in Beaufort, dating back to the 1500’s. Today, First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort is thriving with 500 active members and participants as well as in our congregation throughout the year while visiting or living part-time in our community. Our beautiful church is more than 100 years old and is located in the downtown historic district. Throughout the year, we remember our roots with gratitude and celebrate during various special events.

EARLY PRESBYTERIANS IN BEAUFORT
Presbyterians first came to the shores of the Lowcountry more than 450 years ago. In 1562, Jean Ribaut sailed from France and settled on Parris Island with his fellow French Protestants (Huguenots) who were being persecuted in the French Wars of Religion. Well over 100 years later, Scottish Presbyterians settled in the Beaufort neighborhood now called Spanish Point. They founded the then-southernmost outpost in 1684, virtually on the doorstep of the Spanish forces to the south. The Spanish soon overran them, and the Scots retreated north to Charlestowne.

With the founding of Stony Creek Presbyterian Church in 1743, a more permanent Presbyterian congregation took shape 15 miles from Beaufort. Stony Creek Chapel was built in 1832 to provide a place of worship during the hot summer months in the high pine woods of the little village of McPhersonville. The congregation remained active until 1967. For years, First Pres Beaufort was the custodian of this property, but it is now the responsibility of the Stony Creek Foundation. Each year in the fall, First Pres Beaufort’s congregation moves Sunday worship to this historic chapel, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BEAUFORT
While local Presbyterians continued to be members in the other churches in the 18th and 19th centuries, there were attempts at establishing a lasting congregation in the town of Beaufort. The first Session officially established First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort in 1912, and started sanctuary construction in 1928. In the spring of 1929, the congregation started worshipping in the new white clapboard-framed church in the colonial revival style with tall, arched windows of clear glass. In 1941, all appointments to the interior were complete and all debt cleared. The Beaufort Gazette then wrote, “This beautiful and artistic little church is a source of pride and gratification not only to the Presbyterians of Beaufort, but to the entire community.”

In the 1960’s, the church grew to more than 200 members, and the time was right to build a two-story educational building across North Street, as well as a Manse (which was sold in the late 1980’s).

Another cycle of church growth was marked in 1991, when Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery asked for 100 First Presbyterian Church members to become the founding families at Sea Island Presbyterian Church on Lady’s Island.

In May 2012, First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort celebrated its 100th Anniversary. To commemorate the centennial, a time capsule was built into the wall in the Education building, to be opened May 2037 and every 25 years thereafter.

Over the decades, the sanctuary and education building have undergone various renovations, but the original design has been retained and represents an important part of Beaufort’s church history.

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