This chapel is in the town of Childsbury , which no longer exists. The name Strawberry (I read some place) came from a nearby plantation. An act was passed by the church General Assembly on Dec. 9, 1725 to construct a Parochial Chapel of Ease at Childsbury.

In general, this is pretty old.

A chapel was a place to hold services, baptize, and bury for plantation owners too far from the regions churches (the Church Of England).

Most of the rural chapels have burned or gone to ruins. The Strawberry Chapel is now actually owned by a private individual. Access is 4 – 5 times a year for a service, other wise it is now fenced off to protect the historic buildings.

Fortunately a few photographers have been visiting here again which has helped me discover more ‘hidden’ places to explore.

Services held here can have descendants of the original settlers. The rare and historic silver used during the services is still used all these centuries later. Part is in the Charleston Museum, other pieces privately held but brought back as needed.

An old story of treasure has lead me to find how the ‘treasure’ sought in an old local plantation (Comingtee Plantation) when finally found was actually the Strawberry Chapel silver hidden to protect it from looters when the Union Army came through during the Civil War. While that may be common knowledge with historians, it was new to me.

The old family grave sites and receiving tombs are not open to the public.

A photographer friend who is known to specialize in the historic churches here recently was allowed access (and yes I am jealous) and has published a series on the Chapel also. Click here to visit Malena Kee’s web site.