A historic Episcopal church in the High Hills of Santee, once the spiritual center of a summer resort community.
At a glance
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church stands in Bradford Springs, an antebellum summer resort community in Lee County, South Carolina, about six miles north of Dalzell. It sits within the High Hills of Santee, a ridge known for its cooler air that drew planters from the lowcountry during the summer months.
History
The church dates to the antebellum period, when Bradford Springs served wealthy families escaping the heat and malaria of the coastal plantations. It was built as the parish church for that seasonal community.
Today the parish is no longer active in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. The building is maintained by local descendants of the original members, with assistance from the diocese.
What you see
The source text gives no architectural details.
Cultural significance
The church is a surviving piece of the nineteenth-century summer colony landscape in the South Carolina backcountry. Its continued care by descendants of the first congregation keeps the memory of that community alive.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- City: Lee County, South Carolina
- Coordinates: 34.1036, -80.4258
Practical information & getting there
The church sits about six miles north of Dalzell in Lee County, South Carolina. It is no longer an active parish, so access should be arranged by respecting private property and contacting local caretakers if possible.
Sources & resources
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