Pawleys Island Chapel – Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Originally home to the Pentecostal Holiness Church in nearby Georgetown, this quaint chapel did not arrive on Pawleys Island until the late 1940s, when it was dismantled and transported to the island. The chapel was carefully rebuilt by the Georgetown Laymen’s Association in 1946 and dedicated on June 6, 1948. It rests on land donated by Dr. and Mrs. J. H. Porter.

The formal name of the church is the Pawleys Island House of Worship, though it is more commonly known simply as the Chapel. The small church managed to survive both Hurricane Hazel and Hurricane Hugo, and it continues to serve as the island’s only house of worship. Services are held each Sunday at 10 AM.

The small sanctuary extends into the marsh, affording visitors a singular view of the tidal creek. Though vulnerable to floods due to heavy rains and high tides, the chapel has so far remained unscathed by rising waters. The Pawleys Island Chapel is available for weddings from September through May, and ceremonies must be conducted by an ordained minister. See contact information below.

Pawleys Island Chapel Gets Repaired

In late 2017, the owners of the chapel, The Pawleys Island House of Worship, obtained permits for the chapel to be lifted from its foundations and moved across the street so repairs could be made.

Because the chapel serves as a place of worship, work was held off for several months until services finished for the season. The chapel was also booked for several weddings throughout December.

On Monday, February 19, 2018, the chapel was loaded up and moved across the street to rest at its temporary home between the North and South Causeways. Construction crews will reinforce the chapel’s foundation and then put the chapel back. Work is expected to take several months.

Reflections on the Pawleys Island Chapel

Contributor Treva Thomas Hamlin shares her experience capturing the middle photo above: “The Pawleys Island Chapel has captured my eye for many summers. I love its simple elegance on the creek water’s edge as it beckons beach-loving parishioners on a summer morning.”

Hamlin, a regular visitor to the island, goes on to tell us this about the above photo: “Sunrise on Pawleys Island is magnificent to behold, and the chapel over the creek is one of my favorite spots on the island.”

Photographer Angie Pack of Greenville says of her photo: “The sun was setting and the clouds looked beautiful across the marsh behind the chapel. The sun coming through the windows made it look as if the lights were on in the chapel.”

Add your own reflections here.

Thoughts?

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8 Comments about Pawleys Island Chapel

• SCIWAY says:
March 13th, 2017 at 8:09 am

The chapel is still standing! Take the North causeway and then the right fork and it is down just a little on the right. For more specifics, use the map and coordinates on this page to find it and call Pawleys Island Realty for rental information (the website listed on this page above the map).

• Lacey Ray says:
March 12th, 2017 at 11:44 am

Hi, we can’t find the chapel. Was it destroyed by Hurricane Matthew? We want to book a May 13th, 2017 wedding.

• SCIWAY says:
October 24th, 2016 at 8:32 am

Hi, Bonnie. What a generous offer! Please contact someone from the following website about what you can do to help: http://www.pawleysislandrealty.com/pawleys-island-house-of-worship Thank you!

• Bonnie Overstreet says:
October 23rd, 2016 at 4:58 pm

We heard there was damage inside due to hurricane Matthew. We would love to donate, free of charge, a piano since yours was destroyed. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can help you. Many thanks, Bonnie Overstreet

• Bill Segars says:
January 28th, 2015 at 11:06 am

Wonderful, thoughtfully framed photographs by all 3 photographers. Well done.

• Gwen Mills says:
December 28th, 2014 at 1:58 pm

One of my favorites in Pawleys Island, SC

• SCIWAY says:
March 14th, 2012 at 11:15 am

Hi Arlene! The chapel is managed by Pawleys Island Realty. Please see the link below for information on reserving a date:

http://www.pawleysislandrealty.com/pawleys-island-house-worship

Hope you enjoy your trip!

• Arlene Durrett says:
March 13th, 2012 at 7:21 pm

My family is traveling from all over the US (KY, MD, RI, and MA) to visit Pawleys Island this July. My mother passed away last summer and we would LOVE to have a mass/service in her honor at this chapel or on the beach. Any information would be appreciated. Our family has approximately 25-30 people. Thank you, Arlene Durrett