Editor’s note: This week, visual journalist St. Julian Cox takes a look at Augusta’s historic downtown churches. He focuses on the steeples because, in St. Julian’s words, “They’re commonly the most iconic parts of churches.” Church steeples became common in the 18th century. Depending on the authority consulted, church steeples have been around since the 7th century or maybe 12th century. As immigrants arrived in America from Europe in the 18th century, particularly England, they brought with them architects who typically added wooden steeples to most churches they designed. Little is known about why steeples were added to churches. Some say they help Christians keep focused on living upright lives. Others say they added an aesthetic touch to church designs that speaks to the glory of God.
Sacred Heart Cultural Center
Once a Catholic church and now a celebration of “history, art and architecture,” the Sacred Heart Cultural Center is one of the most eye-catching buildings seen in downtown Augusta. Construction began in 1897, opening for its first mass in 1900. After its last mass in 1971, it was vacant until it was renovated and reopened to host various events in 1987.
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Saint Paul’s Church
Dubbed “The Mother Church of Augusta,” Saint Paul’s Church is an Episcopalian establishment that was built in 1750, right next to the Savannah River in downtown Augusta. The lot that the church rests on has seen five different iterations of the church building due to wars, redesigns and the Augusta Fire of 1916. Augusta’s oldest church still holds regular services.
First Presbyterian Church
Established in 1804, the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Augusta has close ties to Saint Paul’s Church. Until the church was built in 1812, the congregation used Saint Paul’s Church to hold services. During the Civil War, soldiers used the church as a makeshift hospital and the yard as a temporary prison for Union captives. The church is also known for President Woodrow Wilson attending when he was a child and his father was pastor of the congregation.
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First Christian Church
Greeted with negative reactions from protestants in the area, the First Christian Church was established in downtown Augusta in 1835. The church is still active, having spent over one million dollars on expansions and restorations to maintain the beauty of the original building. One of the most notable members of this church was Emily Tubman, a much-loved philanthropist who made Augusta her home.
Church of the Most Holy Trinity
Found on Telfair Street in downtown Augusta, the Church of the Most Holy Trinity holds the title of being the state’s oldest Catholic church building. Construction for the building started in 1857 and was completed in 1863, with the tower and spire added between 1894 and 1899. The church served as a makeshift hospital to treat patients during the Yellow Fever epidemics and the Civil War.
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