Preservation SC, SC Sacred Spaces, and the Search for History

Preservation SC joins church members and local historians as we visit one of the most historic churches in the upcountry of South Carolina, Cedar Springs Church near Abbeville, SC. Join us as we explore the surrounding forest for the original 1779 cemetery. Check out the Cedar Springs Cemetery Discovery Squad in action, watch the video!

Preservation Honor Award: Restoration Garvey-Garvin House – Bluffton, SC

Preservation SC Director Michael Bedenbaugh stands with Governor Henry McMaster to hand out the Preservation Honor Award for the Restoration Garvey-Garvin House to Mayor Lisa Sulka, Town of Bluffton; Councilman Paul Sommerville, Beaufort County;Michael Riffert, Construction Consultants; Betty Prime, Meadors, Inc.; Kalen McNabb, Meadors, Inc.; Erin Schumacher, Town of Bluffton; Brian Osborne, Town of Bluffton. […]

‘South Carolina’s Sacred Spaces’: Book seeks to preserve rural churches as attendance drops

By Kristina Rackley – The Aiken Standard – Aug 22, 2018 Preservation South Carolina is releasing a new photo book in hopes of protecting the increasing number of rural, historic churches facing closings and demolitions. “South Carolina’s Sacred Spaces” was photographed and written by Bill Fitzpatrick, a freelance photographer who picked up photographing landmarks as a hobby. […]

Sacred Spaces Coffee table book project aims to help preserve state’s at-risk rural churches

From the Index Journal – By St. Clair Donaghy – A coffee table book, with color photographs and stories, aims to save South Carolina churches that are at risk. Some of the book’s featured houses of worship are famous, others are lesser-known. “South Carolina’s Sacred Spaces” is a book created by writer and photographer Bill Fitzpatrick, […]

Can South Carolina’s ghost towns see their spirits revived?

From the Post Courier article By Hannah Alani – In the backwoods of Newberry County, Michael Bedenbaugh waded through thick brush and stepped over tree limbs in his rubber-soled sandals. His hand touched the crumbling, reddish brown brick facade of a late 19th century building. This was likely a general store, or maybe a bank, the […]

Take 5 with PreserveSC: Rehabbing the Wyche Derrick House episode 5

Watch as Preserve SC’s Executive Director, Mike Bedenbaugh, visits the shop at KC Specialty Products to see how the restoration of the decorative woodwork is coming along. Watch the Video on YouTube!

Abbeville’s 128-year-old train depot torn down by CSX, despite pleas from city, preservationists

A Statement from Preservation Executive Director, Michael Bedenbaugh: In response to some in CSX leadership and their personal misinformation campaign designed to discredit those dedicated persons who attempted to engage in good faith discussions to save the Abbeville Depot last week, we present the following information for those interested in our preservation efforts. Read this […]

‘Shocking’: Abbeville loses historic depot on last-minute decision by CSX

By ADAM BENSON abenson@indexjournal.com ABBEVILLE — As a CSX cargo train rumbled through Abbeville on Tuesday morning, it streaked past a construction crew working to dismantle a 128-year-old depot that stood as testament to the town’s rich railroad heritage. It also marked a particularly cruel bit of irony for historic preservationists, who allege that executives […]

Help us save the sacred spaces that are at risk!

Help us save the sacred spaces that are at risk! Reserve your copy of South Carolina’s Sacred Spaces, by Author & Photographer, Bill Fitzpatrick, today! Bill takes us on a tour of the famous and lesser known churches across South Carolina while introducing us to the people who go about the business of guarding their church’s history […]

Preservation SC’s 2018 Places at Risk list Featured in the Post & Courier!

Preservation South Carolina would like to thank Robert Behre of the Post and Courier (P&C) for his wonderful article and sharing our Places At Risk List for 2018 with our state! From the P&C article: “Preservation South Carolina reached out across the state for submissions, and it hopes the list will lead to breakthroughs that […]