By Robert Jordan (rjordan@indexjournal.com) ABBEVILLE — Christmas came early to Abbeville. Restoration of Trinity Episcopal Church got a $25,000 jumpstart. The donation, which was received last week, will enable to work to proceed on Phase II, the restoration of the church’s 125-foot steeple, said Mike Bedenbaugh, president and CEO of Preservation South Carolina, the organization overseeing […]
READ MOREEditorial: A promising web of preservation expands across South Carolina
By the Editorial Staff of The Post and Courier September 7, 2020 A Greenwood couple donates a 19th century Greek Revival home in Newberry to a statewide nonprofit that plans to sell it and use the proceeds to repair a historic Abbeville church with many links to Charleston. That’s just one way a web of […]
READ MORE1850s Newberry home donated to Preservation SC; portion of sale proceeds to benefit Trinity
By ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY Index Journal August 4, 2020 The acquisition of an 1850s house in Newberry by Preservation South Carolina could produce double benefits. Investment and restoration by willing partners could help preserve the Ruff/Wicker/Cobb house for future generations, plus a portion of sale proceeds will also support restoration at Trinity Episcopal Church in […]
READ MOREFunds to save Trinity Episcopal could be generated from use as event space
By ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY Index Journal May 22, 2020 Once Trinity Episcopal Church in Abbeville is permitted to reopen, church use as an event space, in addition to a place of Christian worship, could generate funds needed to complete renovations on the historic church, consecrated in 1860. Preservation South Carolina and Friends of Trinity of […]
READ MORETrinity Episcopal Steeple to be Detached and Anchored in Stabilization Project
By ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY Index Journal April 8, 2020 Cutting timbers and balancing tension while sawing is “a very complicated dance” high above ground, to secure the tall steeple of the historic Trinity Episcopal Church in Abbeville. Mike Bedenbaugh, Preservation South Carolina executive director, said phase one, the securing of Trinity Episcopal’s steeple, is getting […]
READ MOREView the Trinity Steeple Straightening Video!
April 8, 2020 Preservation South Carolina’s Executive Director, Michael Bedenbaugh, provides us with an informative video recorded during the process of straightening the steeple! View the YouTube Video Here
READ MOREHistoric South Carolina church steeple renovation moves forward using COVID-19 safety precautions
From WYFF4 ABBEVILLE, S.C. — It’s quiet inside the 160-year-old Trinity Episcopal Church in Abbeville, South Carolina. The historic John Baker Tracker organ — silent for two decades. But outside, construction noise filled the streets as the structure’s steeple was straightened Wednesday. “When George Walker designed this place, that steeple was the tallest structure in […]
READ MORETrinity Abbeville to Receive National Grant
By ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY Index-Journal Oct 24, 2019 ABBEVILLE — Trinity Episcopal Church is set to be awarded a national preservation grant that will help in restoring the Trinity Street landmark. The National Fund for Sacred Places is awarding preservation grants to 10 historic congregations in the country — totaling $1.9 million — and the gothic […]
READ MOREUpdate on Preservation Projects in South Carolina’s Upcountry
October 4, 2019 Check out Preservation South Carolina’s Executive Director, Michael Bedenbaugh, as he speaks with Megan on WSPA’s Your Carolina with Jack & Megan about how PSC is preserving sacred places in South Carolina and has been for years. Mike is giving an update on Preservation South Carolina’s latest projects. Watch the Interview Here
READ MORENew Book Aims to Preserve Endangered Sacred Spaces
News & Press By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net Society Hill’s Trinity Episcopal Church. Photo by Samantha Lyles As modern “megachurches” spring up in more and more communities across America, many older churches are seeing their congregations dwindle. Decreased attendance makes it difficult to fund upkeep of these historic chapels and sanctuaries, and the number […]
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