Strawberry Chapel from the back of the three acre property, at least as far back as it is cleared.
Strawberry Chapel
This tree has been witness to a lot of history.
Strawberry Chapel
September 10, 2022
Strawberry Chapel
Cordesville, South Carolina
The Anglican Church established “chapels of ease” throughout rural South Carolina in the 1700s for members to attend services close to home without trekking to an actual church.
Built in 1725, Strawberry Chapel is the only remaining structure from the Childsbury settlement on the Cooper River.
I was impressed by the number and size of the glass windows at Strawberry Chapel given that it was built in 1725. Considerable expense would have been involved.
This window on the west side of the building has a view of the brick receiving crypt where remains would be kept prior to a funeral.
Strawberry Chapel Window, Some panes have been replaced due to vandalism
This is the view from the front of the room, one of the fenced burial plots is visible out the left window. I didn’t hear mention if these were the original pews, but most of the floor down the middle is original tile.
Strawberry Chapel Back Door and Window
And the same view again, including the decorative window at the peak.
Strawberry Chapel Back Door and Window
The west door has the same view as from that window to the left, shown in the first image. A matching door and small anti-room are on the opposite side.
Strawberry Chapel Side Door
September 10, 2022
Strawberry Chapel
Cordesville, South Carolina
The Anglican Church established “chapels of ease” throughout rural South Carolina in the 1700s for members to attend services close to home without trekking to an actual church.
Built in 1725, Strawberry Chapel is the only remaining structure from the Childsbury settlement on the Cooper River. The chapel is private property and Ted and I attended an educational / history event on the site.
The grounds at Strawberry Chapel have a number of haphazardly placed brick-walled enclosures for family burial plots.
Strawberry Chapel
With doors on three sides, the layout maximized any available air flow for gatherings during the hot low-country summers.
Strawberry Chapel
The decedents of this family don’t keep up their enclosed section. The chapel owners have all they can do to maintain the open sections of the grounds.
Strawberry Chapel
The rectangular building has a “jerkin head” roof, essentially a gable end that has a hip. The chapel will be celebrating 300 years in 2025 so the structure was a good choice.
Strawberry Chapel
September 10, 2022
Strawberry Chapel
Cordesville, South Carolina
The Anglican Church established “chapels of ease” throughout rural South Carolina in the 1700s for members to attend services close to home without trekking to an actual church.
Built in 1725, Strawberry Chapel is the only remaining structure from the Childsbury settlement on the Cooper River.
Ted and I visited Drayton Hall, one of the historic plantations on the Ashley River for the first time today.
Due to a confluence of circumstances of our timing, a day where the heat index was going over 90 F (32 C) so they were limiting traffic in the house, and busloads of other visitors we did not go inside.
Drayton Hall, River Side, Some excavation work being done on lower right side of building
From the front, or at least the more opulent, entrance. I found it odd that there were no gardens or plantings immediately around the house.
Drayton Hall, Framed by a very large live oak tree.
We’ll go back after it cools off a bit here, and the tourist traffic slows.
Strawberry Chapel is rectangular with windows and doors on opposite sides to maximize air flow.
Strawberry Chapel
The number of windows and their ornate design hint at the wealth of those that built it.
Strawberry Chapel
Several of the windows have well fitting shutters. Sadly, many of the original window panes have been broken by vandals.
Strawberry Chapel
September 10, 2022
Strawberry Chapel
Cordesville, South Carolina
The Anglican Church established “chapels of ease” throughout rural South Carolina in the 1700s for members to attend services close to home without trekking to an actual church.
Built in 1725, Strawberry Chapel is the only remaining structure from the Childsbury settlement on the Cooper River. The chapel is private property and Ted and I attended an educational / history event on the site.
The Anglican Church established “chapels of ease” throughout rural South Carolina in the 1700s for members to attend services close to home without trekking to an actual church.
Built in 1725, Strawberry Chapel is the only remaining structure from the Childsbury settlement on the Cooper River. The chapel is private property and Ted and I attended an educational / history event there yesterday.
Strawberry Chapel
September 10, 2022
Strawberry Chapel
Cordesville, South Carolina
Ted and I went on a fundraising / educational trip to Bulls Island to promote the Loggerhead Turtle nesting spearheaded by the Coastal Expeditions Foundation. Money and citizen knowledge are two things that are helping these turtles successfully nest in Cape Romain.
We were treated to an amazing and unexpected experience when one of the wildlife technicians that monitors the nests released five hatchlings that had fallen behind their nest mates. I waded into the water for a unique view, but not standing still as the sand shifted beneath my feet.
Loggerhead Turtle Hatchling Going Into Ocean – about 2 inches (5 cm) long
Loggerhead Turtle Hatchling Going Into Ocean
Loggerhead Turtle Hatchling Going Into Ocean
The next wave swept him away and I got one shot of him paddling off.
Loggerhead Turtle Hatchling In Ocean
Bulls Island, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, SC
July 24, 2022
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge is the most significant nesting site north of Florida on the Eastern seaboard. Over 3000 nests are laid on the barrier island beaches of this refuge each summer, and it takes a legion of volunteers and two wildlife technicians to handle the task of protecting and categorizing every loggerhead nest.
Every year, this program needs to be fully funded from outside donations and grants to pay for the seasonal salaries of two wildlife technicians and two interns. The Coastal Expeditions Foundation handles this $50,000 commitment through fundraisers and grass roots donations.
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, extending 22 miles along the South Carolina Coast, is a rich mosaic of barrier islands with forest and ponds, vast salt marshes and intricate waterways. This diverse and dynamic system supports over 293 bird species and a myriad of other wildlife. Over fifty percent of refuge lands are designated a Class I National Wilderness Area.
The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist had been repairing decaying plaster work on the ceiling the last time I was inside. The repairs and painting were part of a larger project which I believe was completed sometime in 2020 or early 2021.
What a difference!
Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, May 25, 2022
For comparison, one of the images I posted from a 2018 visit:
Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist – September 2018
Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist
Charleston, SC
