A mid-nineteenth-century Carpenter Gothic church later encased in brick, standing northeast of Ridgeway.
At a glance
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church sits on County Road 106, northeast of Ridgeway, South Carolina. Built of wood in 1854, the building was designed by the Rev. John Dewitt McCollough, who later became its rector. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 6, 1971.
History
The church dates from 1854. Its designer, the Rev. John Dewitt McCollough, subsequently served as rector. In 1920, the exterior wood was covered by brick veneer. This change gave the church a brick Gothic Revival appearance while the interior kept its original Carpenter Gothic character.
A wing was added in the 1940s. It provided space for a parish hall and Sunday school.
What you see
The church was originally built of wood in the Carpenter Gothic style. Its exterior was painted a maroon color. The later brick veneer from 1920 now defines the outside look. Step inside, and the Carpenter Gothic features remain intact.
Cultural significance
The church earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Its listing recognizes the building’s architectural and historical interest. The structure shows how a wooden Carpenter Gothic church was adapted, rather than replaced, to meet changing tastes and needs.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- Location: Ridgeway, South Carolina
- Coordinates: 34.3117, -80.9564
- Year built: 1854
- NRHP listed: May 6, 1971
Practical information & getting there
The church stands northeast of Ridgeway, South Carolina, on County Road 106. Check local Episcopal parish resources for service times or visiting opportunities.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Become a Cultural Heritage Online photographer
Share your photos of places: they stay published under your name as the author. The more they're seen, the more you get noticed — and soon a contest will reward the most appreciated photos.
Log in or sign up free to add a photoIs this page about you?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Tell us how you are connected to this place and we will take it from there.