From the Lower Richland Heritage Corridor Calendar presented by the South East Rural Community Outreach Ministries St. John's Episcopal Church Congaree was organized in 1955 at the Elm Savannah (Adams Family) School. The church represents an example of a Gothic church edifice in the region. The structure is designed with a gabled entrance and stained glass windows. The interior is distinguished with the original pine pews, a marble baptismal font, altar, lectern, and slave gallery. Dr. William Weston and Governor James Hopkins Adams, both Lower Richland planters, were founders of this church. When the congregation of St. John's Episcopal Church Congaree gathers for its regular monthly covereddish dinner this weekend, Sunday August 31, right after the midday service, a special menu will be put together by the membership.

St. John's members and guests plan to bring food dishes prepared like the ones that were served in 1858, the year this venerable congregation was formed.

There may not be a lot of venison or fried rabbit, but you can count on homegrown tomatoes, plenty of boiled potatoes, and salt- cured ham. This is a way to pay homage to the hardy settlers who organized St. John's on May 2, 1858.

The food items are not the only things worthy of historic note today. The gathering is sure to include a number of Westons, Hopkins, and Adams, along with Clarksons, Tuckers, and Walkers. These names appear in the founding records of St. John's Congaree, and generations later, still thrive among the current membership.

The church, located off Congaree Road in Lower Richland county, has been the subject of many paintings, drawings and photographs. For all of October, an exhibit of this art work on loan from members, is planned for Zion Hall, the parish house.

Later in October, a special afternoon communion service will be held at the ruins of nearby Zion Episcopal Church in Eastover, followed by a picnic dinner.

The Men's Club of St. John's will host a talk by noted historian Dr. Walter Edgar in the parish house.

And on All Saints Day, November 1, the year of celebration will culminate in a special anniversary service celebrating the conclusion of the 150th year.

Members of St. John's follow a tradition handed down by their ancestors, maintaining with pride the lovely little sanctuary and its grounds, as well as the parish house which was added.

In 1958, St. John's member Laura Jervey Hopkins authored a 100th anniversary history of the church. In Background, Chapter 1, she wrote: "Who were these, our ancestors, who left us this rich heritage? A house in which to worship God; a cemetery in which to be buried. From whence did they come? And when?"

Her descriptions of the founding events will be included in subsequent articles in The Columbia Star, along with interviews and reminiscences from some of today's stalwarts of this historic congregation.

Part two: The First Hundred Years. St. John's grows from the families who settled Lower Richland.

Part three: The Last Fifty Years: Major events shaping the church's life.

Part four: Today and Ahead: Long-time members reminisce and look to the future.