Schedule of Events for the Spring Tour of Homes:
Prepaid tickets and tour maps for the Candlelight Tour may be picked up between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the Church Parish Hall on Friday, April 4. The Parish Hall is located on Newcastle Street directly behind the Church.
Friday, April 4 • 12 noon
Music at St. Helena’s Organ Concert – 12 noon
St. Helena’s Episcopal Church houses a Taylor and Boody mechanical action pipe organ built in 1985. The organ has 19 stops and over 1,100 pipes. Taylor and Boody Organ builders of Staunton, VA are known for their superb craftsmanship and research of antique organs and organ building practice. Although the organ is modern, it is reminiscent of the organ building practices used in 16th and 17th century Europe. The organ has the appearance, construction, and sound of a 300 year old instrument.
Friday, April 4 • 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Tour of St. Helena’s Episcopal Church
The congregation of St. Helena’s Episcopal Church dates from 1712 and is one of the oldest churches in continuous use in the United States. On Friday afternoon from 4-6 p.m., it will be open to tour goers with docents available to recount its rich history, which reflects the history of Beaufort. Some of St. Helena’s historic possessions will be on display, including the famous John Bull Silver, dated 1724.
Friday, April 4 • 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Candlelight Tour of the historic Bay Neighborhood of Beaufort
Tickets are $40 per person and include a reception and entertainment.
This historic area showcases a variety of architectural styles from the 1700s to twentieth century. Explore the streets of the Bay neighborhood at dusk and be welcomed into several of Beaufort’s private residences. A reception with entertainment will be held on the grounds of the historic St. Helena’s church rectory.
Ticket Information
Church Website www.sthelenas1712.org
Tour Information (843) 524-0363
Ticket sales begin January 15, 2008. To order tickets you may pay online at the church’s secure website, www.sthelenas1712.org. or download ticket order forms from our website. You may also order by mail using the ticket order form in this brochure. Make your checks out to ECW Tours and mail to ECW Tours, Box 1043, Beaufort, SC 29901. Reservations are processed in order of receipt and no unpaid reservations are accepted. Tour tickets are non-refundable. There are no exceptions.
Please note: Since this tour is of private homes, not all tour sights are handicap accessible.
Directions to Beaufort from I-95N: Turn off at Exit 8, Hwy. 278 (Hilton Head) and follow signs to Beaufort. Turn left on Hwy. 170, which will take you into Beaufort. Turn right at Hwy. 21 intersection. Hwy 21 becomes Boundary St. Turn right at the fifth traffic light (Charles St.), go six blocks, turn right onto King St. and left on Newcastle. The Parish Hall is on your left. From I-95S turn off at Exit 33 on Rte. 17 and follow to the intersection of Hwy. 21 at Gardens Corner, where you will bear right onto Hwy. 21. Hwy. 21 becomes Boundary St. where you can follow the directions listed above. From Hwy. 17, turn onto Hwy. 21 at Gardens Corner and follow the same directions.
We will not be holding a Saturday Plantation Tour of Homes in 2008, but we look forward to resuming the Saturday tour in 2009. Additionally, we hope you enjoy all Beaufort has to offer this weekend. Here is a list of other Beaufort happenings:
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Spring Art Walk
The Walk begins at 4 pm
Featured artists: Ginny Piech Street and Anita Prentice
802 Bay Street
(843) 470-9994
Annual Lafayette Soiree
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Celebrating the visit of the Marquis de Lafayette to Beaufort in 1825, held by Historic Beaufort Foundation. Heavy hors d‘oeuvres, auction, dancing. Reservations required. Cocktail attire. For more information, call (843) 379-6331.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Festival Series with Charles Wadsworth
5:00 p.m.
USC Beaufort Performing Arts Center
Season and individual tickets available at Beaufort Chamber of Commerce
(843) 986-5400
Church Tours
A docent is present in the church Tuesday through Saturday to guide visitors and share the history of our parish, as well as answer questions about current church activities.
The church is open for tours during the following hours:
Tuesday - Friday - 10 :00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday - 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Monday - Closed (opened by special appointment only.)
Contact: Sue Collins, 524-2247