Bill Segars shares his first book on South Carolina churches
Bill Segars presents a copy of his first book to Jimmie Epling, Director of the Darlington County Library System. The book, “Churches in South Carolina Burned During the American Revolution: A Pictorial Guide” by Jim Neal and Bill Segars will be part of the permanent collection in the South Carolina room at the Darlington Branch.
Photo by Jana E. Pye
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Readers of the News and Press that have followed Bill Segars impressive collection of South Carolina churches that he has carefully photographed and researched with a builder’s eye and a historian’s heart are finally getting their wish: he has started to write about them in a book form.
His first book was collaboration with another writer, Jim Neal, sharing the tales of churches that were burned during the America Revolution.
“I admit this wasn’t my first choice of a time period,” said Segars. “But once I got more involved in the history, the connection between the burning of the churches and how the colonists responded was intriguing. One wonders if perhaps that is really what lost the war for the British. It certainly angered their congregations.”
Although he protests that it was a lot of work, he admits that if he does write future books, he said if he does decide to write more, he will do so with splitting the state into four sections – leaving the churches of the Darlington County in the Pee Dee region. Readers, you can help by insisting he does this!
Copies of the book will be available for sale at the Darlington Historical Commission in Darlington, and in Hartsville at the Hartsville Museum and Burry Bookstore.
Copies are also available through Amazon.com. Type in the book’s title. Cost is $25.00.
For additional information or to purchase a book contact:
Jim Neal at: jimbjneal@aol.com
Bill Segars at: billsegars@gmail.com or 843-307-4649
“Churches in South Carolina Burned During the American Revolution: A Pictorial Guide” by Jim Neal and Bill Segars
This book is subtitled A Pictorial Guide, but it could have justifiably been named A Pictorial Journey as the writers take you on the back roads of South Carolina. You will find beautiful color photographs of each site and many other related historical sites, directions, even GPS coordinates. As a building contractor, Bill has shared some of his knowledge and insight into the construction practices of the period. In doing so, he hopes to answer some of your questions concerning churches built in the 18th century.
In addition, the authors have included information on what happened at each site. You will find that history may not always as presented and that we are still learning about these church buildings. Our hope is that by bringing these churches to you through this book, you will have a greater appreciation of their history and join others who see this history as part of our future.