The Diocese of Upper South reports that it will work with Trinity Church, Abbeville, and Preservation South Carolina to restore the church. Trinity Church is closed amid concerns that its iconic 125-foot steeple could collapse.
Trinity joined Preservation South Carolina added Trinity to its Places at Risk list this year.
“Trinity, Abbeville, traces its roots to 1842, nearly two decades before this wonderful building was constructed,” said the Rev. Alan Bentrup, the diocese’s canon for evangelism and mission. “We are excited about this opportunity to preserve a piece of history, and we look forward to the ways this partnership will allow the congregation to continue doing the work of Jesus in this community.”
Trinity’s founding dates to 1842. The historic worship space was consecrated by Bishop Thomas F. Davis on November 4, 1860, just two days before Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States. Trinity Episcopal Church and Cemetery has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1971.
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/xtYE66whH8Y” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
