Old Stone Church

Presbyterian settlers of the upcountry, in the modern-day Clemson area, constructed a couple of churches in the subsequent years following the American Revolution. The original structure, now long gone, was constructed of local logs along the Seneca/Keowee River for worship as early as 1791. However, in 1796 the structure burned during a forest fire that wreaked havoc in the area. Following the loss of the church, the first newspaper publisher of the Carolina upcountry, John Miller, donated the tract of land the stone church sits on today.

Construction of the Old Stone Church--new to the settlers back then--took place from 1797-1802 and was characterized by its simple architectural designs with wooden pews and pulpit. Throughout the early years of the congregation and its tenure at the site, Brig. Gen. Andrew Pickens, Maj. Thomas Dickson, and Lt. Col. Robert Anderson all served as elders of the presbytery--later being buried on the very same grounds with visible tombs and headstones that can still be visited today.

Near the Old Stone Church, one can immerse themselves further by visiting the many historic sites managed by Clemson University such as the Hanover House and Hopewell Plantation.