Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church

The history of Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church is intertwined with that of the African-American community in Pawleys Island in Georgetown County, South Carolina.

The current church grew from two mission churches – Holy Cross-Brookgreen, which included a church, medical clinic and school, and Faith Memorial of Waverly Mills. The Reverend Benjamin Martin and his wife Viola served both churches in the early 1900’s. In 1926, “Salvation came to Pawleys Island in the form of an Episcopal priest, Rev. W. E. Forsythe,” says Nathan Brown, a student at that time and communicant at Holy Cross Faith Memorial until his death.

Another turning point in our history that coincided with Rev. Forsythe’s tenure occurred when Archer Huntington began to assemble the property that would become Brookgreen Gardens. His purchase of the mission property from the Diocese in 1930 stipulated that the funds be “used for the religious, charitable and educational benefit of the colored people living on Waccamaw Neck.” The result was that the two mission churches and schools became one on the Faith Memorial property, and in 1932 a new building was completed. The parish hall downstairs and a rectory upstairs, this building was to provide educational opportunities for the African-American children of the area for over 50 years led by Rev. Forsythe and his wife Ruby, known throughout the community and to this day as Miss Ruby. Rev. Forsythe continued to serve until his death in 1974; Miss Ruby’s role as teacher in the one-room schoolhouse, which still stands today on our campus, continued until her death at age 86 on graduation day in 1992.

Holy Cross Faith Memorial’s commitment to outreach within our parish and the larger community is an important part of our rich history. Archdeacon Erasmus Baskervill, for whom the campus and outreach ministries are named, was a staunch proclaimer of the social Gospel and helped found our great tradition of outreach. Today, the Smith Medical Clinic, a food pantry, St. Elizabeth Place are housed on the campus of our church. A variety of other ministries serve our parishioners and community.

Our church is committed to honoring our history and upholding the rich heritage of our forefathers and mothers to all who come in hope and faith to seek and share.