Whitefield Chapel, 9520 Ferguson Avenue, Savannah

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA-301. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Constructed between and Whitefield Chapel was presented to Bethesda Academy by the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames in memorial of Bethesda s founder, Reverend George Whitefield. Whitefield founded Bethesda Academy (formerly Bethesda Orphan House and Academy) in conjunction with James Habersham in as a home for orphaned, abandoned, and needy children in the newly founded colony of Georgia. Bethesda is located southeast of Savannah on the bank of the Vernon River, and is considered by many to be the oldest charitable organization in the country. Whitefield Chapel stands as a permanent place of worship, honoring the legacy of some of the country s earliest founders, and the continuing importance of their humanitarian efforts.

Description: Whitefield Chapel is a symmetrical, one-story brick structure with balcony, designed by Simons and Lapham of Charleston, South Carolina. Although no architectural plans were available for this survey, the chapel appears to be unaltered from its original form. Whitefield is a symmetrical rectangular church, with the front fa ade featuring paired entry doors with lunette window above, and brick quoining surround. Above the main doorway is a simple pediment below an ocular decorative vent. Brick quoining detail is also present at each corner of the structure. Along the east and west elevations are large rectangular windows that also feature decorative lunette windows above double-hung sashes flanked by black paneled shutters.

The roof is front-gabled and the structure has two laterally placed brick chimneys. A smaller rear extension from the rectangular mass of the main structure houses the chancel of the church, a small prayer chapel, and a small utility room. A single entry door and stoop are located along the eastern side of the nave extension. The overall exterior design of Whitefield Chapel is thought to have been influenced by the ruins of Biggin Church in Berkeley County, South Carolina, erected in or perhaps by one of Whitefield s favorite chapels in England.i Upon entering Whitefield Chapel, one passes immediately below the gallery into the nave of the church. The floor of the church is herringbone brick patterned, echoing the architectural details of the exterior.

The wooden pews were designed by Albert Simons of Simons and Lapham. Made by A.S. Bacon and Sons of Savannah, they were presented to Bethesda by the Georgia Society of Colonial Wars in memory of the colony s founders.ii Beyond the nave is a small chancel with arched entry and decorative balustrade. A mahogany altar and branched candlesticks stand in the chancel honoring John and Charles Wesley, early members of the colony of Georgia and the founders of Methodism. The stained glass window above the altar was also designed by Albert Simons, and was made by Willett Studios of Philadelphia.iii Made of clear amber glass with ornamental border, the window depicts Christ blessing a child.

The window also features a central medallion of a burning bush, the emblem of Bethesda, along with an inscription honoring James Habersham. WHITEFIELD CHAPEL HABS GA-301 (PAGE 2) History: Situated on nearly 500 acres along the banks of the Vernon River, southeast of Savannah, Georgia, Bethesda Orphan House and Academy was established in Immediately upon his arrival in the new colony of Georgia, George Whitefield recognized the need to create a home for children in need.

After forming the initial plans for Bethesda in conjunction with James Habersham, and John and Charles Wesley, Whitefield returned to England to seek permission to form the orphanage, whereupon he was granted the maximum amount of land allowed under the Royal Charter of 1732.iv The first brick for the main house at Bethesda was laid on March 25, by Whitefield himself. Upon its completion, Bethesda became home to nearly seventy orphans from Savannah and the surrounding area. Following Whitefield s death in the property passed to the Countess of Huntingdon, who oversaw its functions until the state legislature confiscated the property in In the Union Society purchased 125 acres of the original property in an effort to keep the home open to children in need.

During the nineteenth century, Bethesda would face many trials and travails, including multiple fires, hurricanes, and the Civil War. Supporters of the home persevered, and Bethesda Academy was officially reestablished in In the academy was renamed Bethesda Home for Boys. It was again renamed in as Bethesda Academy, and presently functions as a college preparatory school for boys.

To honor Bethesda s founder, the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames commissioned Whitefield Chapel at the school s property in To design the chapel, the Society commissioned Simons and Lapham of Charleston, South Carolina, whose firm became an integral part of early historic preservation efforts in that city.v Their design for Whitefield Chapel was inspired by similar southeastern religious architecture of the eighteenth century, while also being in accord with the Bethesda s existing buildings. Although the cornerstone of Whitefield Chapel was laid in the building was not completed until Official dedication services were held at the chapel on April 3, in honor of George Whitefield.vi

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA-301. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Blevins, Ernest Everett. Documentation of the Architecture of Samuel Lapham and the Firm of Simons & Lapham. Master s thesis, Savannah College of Art and Design, Duncan, Dr. John D., Bethesda History. Commemorative issue, Bethesda News, (April Editorial, Savannah Morning News, not dated. Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America, Information of Interest Concerning the Whitefield Memorial Chapel, (Savannah: Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America,

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA-301. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Alexandra Cole, i Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America, Information of Interest Concerning the Whitefield Memorial Chapel, (Savannah: Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America, ii Editorial, Savannah Morning News, not dated. iii Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America, Information of Interest Concerning the Whitefield Memorial Chapel, (Savannah: Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America, iv Dr. John D. Duncan, Bethesda History, Commemorative issue, Bethesda News, (April WHITEFIELD CHAPEL HABS GA-301 (PAGE 3) v Ernest Everett Blevins, Documentation of the Architecture of Samuel Lapham and the Firm of Simons & Lapham, (master s thesis, Savannah College of Art and Design, 1.

vi Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America, Information of Interest Concerning the Whitefield Memorial Chapel, (Savannah: Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America,