Robertville

This was previously published two years ago, but if you are a newcomer, you may have missed it.

Robertville, South Carolina only boasts a gas station and a sign by the side of the road that says "Robertville" - unless you care to count this church - and that would be a very good idea.

About 320 years ago (give or take) a French Huguenot minister named Pierre Robert found himself in the swamps of South Carolina after King Louis XIV decided to revoke the Edict of Nantes, which had given the Huguenots essential rights and liberties in a predominantly Catholic nation.

The move proved to be France's loss and America's gain. The direct descendants of Monsieur Robert put down strong roots in the area.
One of them (a member of this church, actually) founded the American Bar Association. Another one made his mark by writing "Roberts Rules of Order".

Along the way, the community of Robertville was named for them. The first church that came here (in 1824) was a grand structure, reputed to have been one of the most beautiful churches in all of South Carolina at the time. Sadly, the Union army burned that one to the ground.

Not to be deterred, the congregation went looking for another building and found the lovely little combination Greek Revival and Gothic Revival structure that you see here. It pre-dates the Civil War by 20 years and was standing in the community of Gillisonville before being purchased and moved to this location in 1871.

In 1934 the church officially became known as Robertville Baptist Church - and unofficially (but deservedly so) it has also become known as "The Mother of Churches" in this area.

It stands today in a shady grove of live oaks, presiding over a spot in the road barely noticed by truckers and motorists on their way to somewhere else - never shouting its presence or demanding that they stop to hear its story. On a recent sunny afternoon, however, something told me to do just that - and I'm very glad that I did.

Photos by Beth Yarbrough.