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The Pineville Chapel 1810 - 2010

The village of Pineville began as a summer community for wealthy planters and their families once they realized that “places where pine trees were plentiful were usually free of the fevers that affected those who lived near swamps. . .” (Warner Montgomery), marshes, and rice fields.

Captain James Sinkler of Laurel Hill Plantation was the first to build a home in Pineville and when he and his family returned in good health to Laurel Hill in November, others followed. In 1794, Captain John Palmer, Captain Peter Gaillard, John Cordes, Samuel Porcher, Peter Porcher, and Philip Porcher built homes in the area as well. The village, considered one of the most sophisticated communities, outside of Charleston, at the time, established an academy, a library, a racetrack, and a church.

Within a few years, Pineville grew to 60 homes and the pine trees were protected by a fine of $5 being imposed on anyone who cut down or injured one of them.

The first chapel of Pineville, along with a cemetery, was build 2 miles west of the village on the old River Road. Services were later held in the villagers’ homes. The current church was built in 1810 and Rev. Charles Blair Snowden was the first rector, who lived in the Pineville rectory (one of the few remaining original buildings of the village). Regular services were held from June to October, and during the rest of the year Rev. Snowden rotated between Pineville, the Rocks, and Black Oak.

Rev. Snowden was followed by Rev. D.J. Campbell, who died in 1840 while serving and is buried in the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Churchyard. The church was empty until 1842 when Rev. William Dehan and his assistant, Rev. C.P. Gadsden assumed leadership.

The Pineville Chapel was consecrated in 1845 by Bishop Gadsden and was admitted into the Diocese of South Carolina.

The interior is largely original including the high pulpit, doors, windows, balcony, and Palladian window behind the altar. The original wooden bell tower and very early bronze bell are still in place. The Pineville Chapel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 as part of the Pineville Historic District.

Regular services at Pineville Chapel ceased once St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church was restored in 1957. The chapel now falls under the auspices of the Diocese of South Carolina as a chapel of ease. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church serves as caretaker. Thanks to a fund set up by the late Mattie Gourdin Marion in 1976 and continued by her niece, Eljule Gourdin Everett, the church receives a small income for its upkeep.