History of St. Thomas Episcopal Church
In the early part of the twentieth century, houses were being built in the north area, several miles from downtown Charleston. As early as 1913, Dr. John Kershaw, Dean of the Charleston Convocation, indicated that the area was a promising field for missionary work for the church; however, it was not until 1917 that the Rev. Harold Thomas, Rector of St. Luke’s, Charleston, desiring to bring the Gospel and establish an Episcopal presence in the area, began holding services in the Seaboard Railroad Station, then located where Spruill Avenue meets Montague Ave. The first Episcopal congregation in the north area was 12 in number.
By 1921, there were enough signs of interest and promise in the area that the Rev. R. J. Blackford was appointed missionary to North Charleston. Soon after his appointment, land was purchased at the corner of Montague Ave. and Old Park Road. An army tent was acquired, set up on the land, and used as a place of worship by the fledgling congregation. The first service was held in February 1922. Homemade furniture was supplied and other necessities, including a Bible, were given. At The General Convention for The Episcopal Church in 1919, a Nationwide Campaign was instituted to help establish new congregations across the USA. The Episcopal Church in the north area received funds from The Episcopal Church for the purchase of a WWI barracks to hold worship services. The barrack was moved to the property, the tent folded and the First Holy Communion was celebrated in the new building on May 14, 1922. At that memorable service, two people were confirmed into The Episcopal Church by Bishop Guerry. The north area Episcopal Church was admitted to the Diocese in 1951 as Church of the Good Shepherd. Click here to see more pictures Church of the Good Shepherd.
In the early part of the twentieth century, houses were being built in the north area, several miles from downtown Charleston. As early as 1913, Dr. John Kershaw, Dean of the Charleston Convocation, indicated that the area was a promising field for missionary work for the church; however, it was not until 1917 that the Rev. Harold Thomas, Rector of St. Luke’s, Charleston, desiring to bring the Gospel and establish an Episcopal presence in the area, began holding services in the Seaboard Railroad Station, then located where Spruill Avenue meets Montague Ave. The first Episcopal congregation in the north area was 12 in number.
By 1921, there were enough signs of interest and promise in the area that the Rev. R. J. Blackford was appointed missionary to North Charleston. Soon after his appointment, land was purchased at the corner of Montague Ave. and Old Park Road. An army tent was acquired, set up on the land, and used as a place of worship by the fledgling congregation. The first service was held in February 1922. Homemade furniture was supplied and other necessities, including a Bible, were given. At The General Convention for The Episcopal Church in 1919, a Nationwide Campaign was instituted to help establish new congregations across the USA. The Episcopal Church in the north area received funds from The Episcopal Church for the purchase of a WWI barracks to hold worship services. The barrack was moved to the property, the tent folded and the First Holy Communion was celebrated in the new building on May 14, 1922. At that memorable service, two people were confirmed into The Episcopal Church by Bishop Guerry. The north area Episcopal Church was admitted to the Diocese in 1951 as Church of the Good Shepherd. Click here to see more pictures Church of the Good Shepherd.
Originally named Church of the Good Shepherd, St. Thomas Episcopal Church changed names as a result of a merger between the two congregations Church of the Good Shepherd and Church of the Holy Spirit, a mission church in Hanahan. St. Thomas Episcopal Church today.
