In July of 1857, the present building was consecrated. Architect E. B. White designed a structure described then as a “handsome cruciform Gothic building”, which indeed it remains today. Fanned arches with a look of palmettos, top its mullioned windows, that are framed by latticed shutters. The builders sent to England for the rose-colored glass in the windows. Inside, soft-pink scored plaster enhances the warm light. Exposed pine timbers evoke power and stability.

In 1863, Federal troops marched into Bluffton, burning most of the town. Although the church was spared, its congregation fled. Services on The Bluff resumed in 1870, when the Rev. E. E. Bellinger arrived and oversaw repairs.

In 1892, the roof was replaced, but the deadly hurricane of 1898 damaged it and the rest of the building. By February 1900, all was repaired. Workers remodeled the chancel and fashioned from the original pulpit and desk a walnut altar with a stone top, a lectern and a prayer desk. A chapel area was created in the narthex which was easy to heat for the sparse winter congregation.

The National Register of Historic Places has listed The Church of the Cross since 1975. In keeping with the church’s rapid growth, members built the first rectory in 1986. With continuing growth that the church has experienced in recent years, this building became the church business office in 2001.

In 1997, the Narthex wall was moved back to its original location, expanding nave seating for the growing congregation. Stairs now lead up to the renovated balcony above, which is home to the choir and the beautiful English pipe organ installed in 1999.

The Church of the Cross celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2004.

The Church of the Cross has seen much during the over 150 years it has graced the May River bluff. The historic church offers much more than a lovingly restored architecture. It shelters a fellowship of Christians—growing even more rapidly than Bluffton— with a long history of devotion to the community.

     Rooted in the Past Passing through the heavy pine front doors at The Church of the Cross seems like a step into a time long gone. It’s easy to imagine the summer congregation of island planters beginning June Sundays with worship. You can almost feel the cool morning air wafting through open windows as the harmonies of hymns float out. You might picture the small winter congregation in 1900 huddling around a potbellied stove in the narthex chapel, listening to St. Matthew's tale of the nativity on a chilly Christmas Eve. Indeed many church members recall such days and nights until the early 1980's. They remember the leaky roof, visiting priests, and bees and squirrels nesting in the walls and crevices.

     Sheltering the Present In the two decades since The Church of the Cross grew from a mission to a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, the number of parishioners has increased, a rectory was built and there are many community ministries.

     Reaching Out to the Future September of 2005 saw the opening of the Buckwalter Parkway Campus of The Church of the Cross. The new facility is home to Cross Schools, a merger of Cross Episcopal School founded in 1999 and the Cross Early Childhood Center, as well as a worship hall. Each Sunday, as Bluffton grows, so does the church. Parishioners bring friends and new neighbors and they in turn bring others. New Sunday School classrooms now hum with children hearing God’s Word. They gather to worship at the church service, “passing the peace” with handshakes and hugs, and joining the choir and praise teams as theylift their voices in song.

      Empowered by the God of the Ages With the Lord’s help, our growing congregation builds on tradition, so rich in the Episcopal Church and The Church of the Cross in particular. We also seek new ways to share God’s Word. We know our church campus on Calhoun Street provides a scenic stop on many Lowcountry tours, and that makes us proud. We also believe The Church of the Cross legacy reaches much deeper than its impressive façade. Just as plain, pine boards grew into an extraordinary building, we’re evolving from a simple country parish to serve a growing and changing community. Won’t you join us as we give thanks for our rich past, meet today’s challenges and nurture our faith in a bright future?