Pon Pon Chapel Of Ease: Preserving Lowcountry History
- cindyherrmedders
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 6
The Pon Pon Chapel of Ease is a historic site located in Colleton County near Jacksonboro, South Carolina. The Colleton County Historic Preservation Society maintains the Pon Pon Chapel of Ease Ruins preserving Lowcountry history for future generations. The site is currently closed to the public and is undergoing extensive repairs.
Built during the Colonial Period, the Pon Pon Chapel of Ease is listed as the first Anglican Church in South Carolina. Other key historic mentions of the Pon Pon Chapel of Ease Ruins relate to the notable figures that visited the location, namely John Wesley.
Time has not been kind to the Pon Pon Chapel of Ease, also known as "the Burnt Church" after being destroyed by fire and rebuilt in the early 1800s. During the 1830s the Pon Pon Chapel of Ease was abandoned around the time that the county seat moved from Jacksonboro to Walterboro. Whether the Pon Pon Chapel of Ease was burned again or simply fell to disrepair is unclear.
Hurricane Gracie is credited with causing notable damage to the Pon Pon Chapel of Ease Ruins in 1959. Only a small part of the church remains. The rear wall and part of the front wall are what remains of the church.
Aside from the historic significance of the church building, the church graveyard is widely visited for the historic figures buried there.
The Colleton County Historic Preservation Society is dedicated to preserving Lowcountry history through actively maintaining historic sites. While the church ruins are closed to the public for safety reasons, the graveyard can be accessed by calling the number posted on the gate.
The Pon Pon Chapel of Ease Ruins is popular among locals and tourists who enjoy walking through Lowcountry historical sites absorbing the rich history of the region.
If you are interested in a similar site nearby, check out the Old Sheldon Church Ruins in Sheldon, South Carolina.
I will post updates as they arrive.
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