Christ Church Receives Two Gifts Totaling 4.2 Million

The Rev. Ted Duvall preaching at Christ Church Anglican in Jennie Moore Elementary

Charleston, S.C. (January 17, 2023) – Christ Church Anglican, Mt. Pleasant, one of several churches in the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina required by the SC Supreme Court to turn their campus over to the Episcopal Church, recently received two large donations, both anonymous, to move them forward in the process of building a new church.

One donor family gave $3.2 million for the purpose of securing land and shortly afterward another kicked off the church’s building fund with a gift of $1 million.

In a note to his congregation on December 19, the Rector, the Rev. Ted Duvall, wrote, “I and the Vestry are overjoyed to announce we have completed the purchase of land for the purpose of one day building a new church for Christ Church Anglican.”

The nine-acre property, four acres of which is buildable due to wetland restrictions, is in the heart of north Mt. Pleasant within the Carolina Park developmental footprint across from Costco on Faison Road.

“This purchase was made possible by what I am confident is the largest single gift in Christ Church’s history,” said Duvall, “$3.2 million – by a family in the congregation, who wish to remain anonymous.  Wonderfully, the donors did not ask for any say in the site selection, but desired that the Vestry seek and select the land, under its own timetable and criteria, knowing that this gift was available to them whenever, in the short or long term, suitable land was eventually found.

“I and the Vestry are humbled and inspired by the spiritual maturity and practical wisdom inherent in the manner in which this gift was given.  We praise God!”

Inspired by the donation of the land, another family decided it was time to make their own “lead gift” to the church’s building fund and let Duvall know they were ready to contribute $1 million. This gift, also given anonymously, will provide the church with the working capital to begin the design phase once a building committee is in place.

The congregation moved out of the historic property they occupied on Highway 17 for the last 315 years on September 1 and have been holding worship services in the auditorium of Jennie Moore Elementary School.

Moving from a 26-acre property to a school has been an adjustment, but Duvall says he is not discouraged. One incident, which happened about a month before they had to vacate the property, gave him pause.

“We had a particular Wednesday service at 11 a.m. in the historic building on the old campus. It was a sweet little group of mostly older folks. And after the service one of the widows in the congregation came up to me.  ‘Ted, I know you’re sad about losing these buildings,’ she said. ‘They’re fine buildings. In fact, they’re wonderful buildings. But they are not your church. We are your church and we are coming with you, so be of good cheer!’  I’ve held onto that,” he said.

View the video announcement of the land gift on Facebook.

 

 

 

 


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