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Off the Beaten Path - Page 3

© Virginia Marin

Bolted to the floor in a bedroom overlooking the tidal marsh, was a trunk. Inside were relics from the days of Reverend Lee: old pictures, letters, memorabilia, hair ribbons, gloves, and an ancient book of fairy tales, which no doubt had been a favorite of Caroline and Sarah.

On a desk lay a manuscript of Lee's autobiography, of which I have a copy. The manuscript tells of a Sunday on which he baptised the infant, Carolina Lafayette Seabrook, as the French General, Lafayette, held his name sake in his arms. General Lafayette, a guest of the Seabrooks, had come to Charleston on a state visit of some importance.

Reverend William States Lee

Reverend Lee was the beloved pastor of the Edisto Island Presbyterian Church for over 51 years.

Edisto Island Presbyterian Church, c.1831

The church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is lovely in its simplicity. In the absence of stained glass windows, others features stand out. Of particular interest are the box pews. Entrance into the pews is by way of a swinging door. If a pew is reserved it shows the family name for whom that particular box is intended. If no name is shown, the box is free to be occupied by whomever has come to the service.

Another unique feature is the mode of collecting monetary gifts. During church services the offering is received in bags, which are secured on the end of long poles, rather than in customary silver plates. The church elders simply slide the long pole through their hands to reach each person in the pews. One-by-one, the worshiper drops his offering into the sack as it comes before him. As in some of the New England Colonies, the long poles can be equiped with wake-up or tickle-feathers to admonish would be sleepers. Though the feathers are no longer in use, it is a colonially quaint practice to recall and incorporate into family tales.

For the Communion service, members are seated in courses at Shaker-style trestle tables, one on either side of the dais. The communicants are then served by church elders. In the early days, some churches practiced what is know as closed communion. With closed communion only church members are allowed to receive communion. When the communion service begins, non-members are invited to leave. Edisto Island Presbyterian Church never practiced closed communion.

The choir boxes are located on each side of the pulpit and against the wall. This arrangement mimicks choir stall placements found throughout England.

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