St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church

St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church
Country	United States
Denomination	Anglican
Membership	Episcopal Church
Website	stthaddeus.org
History
Status	Active
Founded	1842 [1]
Consecrated	August 9, 1843 [2]
Administration
Province	Province IV
Diocese	Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
Deanery	Gravatt Convocation [3]
Clergy
Bishop(s)	Rt. Rev. Daniel Richards
Rector	The Rev. Dr. Marshall A. Jolly
Priest(s)	The Rev. Joseph Whitehurst

St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Pendleton and Richland Sts., Aiken, South Carolina
Area	2.2 acres (0.89 ha)
Built	1842
MPS	Aiken Winter Colony TR
NRHP reference No.	84000518 [4]
Added to NRHP	November 27, 1984

St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church is a parish of the Episcopal Church (United States) in Aiken, South Carolina, within the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. It is noted for being the oldest church structure in Aiken ^[5] and its historic church building located at Pendleton and Richland Streets. ^{[6] [7]}

History

Aiken was planned as a railroad town, and land for the church was set aside in the original layout by the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company. The cornerstone for the original church was laid on September 5, 1842, and the building was consecrated on August 9, 1843. ^[2] Over the years, the church underwent multiple renovations and expansions to accommodate a growing congregation. Additional buildings were added to the church campus, reflecting its continued role as a center for Episcopal worship and community service in the region. ^[1] In 1926, St. Thaddeus underwent a renovation funded by winter colonists. Buildings for St. Thaddeus' parochial school, Mead Hall Episcopal School, were added in 1961. ^[1] Interestingly, the rector of St. Thaddeus from 1981 to 1984, The Rt. Rev. Robert Shahan, ordained the current Bishop of Upper South Carolina, The Rt. Rev. Daniel Richards. ^[2]

Architecture

The church retains much of its original 19th-century architectural character, with traditional ecclesiastical design elements. The structure and surrounding property contribute to the historic significance of Aiken’s religious and architectural heritage. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 27, 1984, as part of the Aiken Winter Colony Thematic Resource area. ^[4]

References

1. "History of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church". St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
2. "St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
3. "Commission on Convocations". Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
4. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
5. "St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church". SC Picture Project. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
6. "St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
7. "St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, Aiken County (Pendleton & Richland Sts., Aiken)". South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Retrieved March 27, 2025.