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A Unique Undertaking

Unlike designing a new building, renovation is the task of taking a long standing structure and designing and constructing in reverse. More often than not, time, weather, insects and the quality of maintenance have taken a toll on the overall condition. Often additions have altered the original structure.

2004: The current edifice for the Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church (Campbell) was completed.
2015: A 501 (c) 3 named “A Call to Action” was established to restore the Historic Chapel, estimated to be $1.5 million*
2018: The outstanding mortgage balance for Campbell was retired in May by an anonymous donor.
The outstanding mortgage balance for Campbell was retired in May by an anonymous donor.
2019: The Historic Chapel was entered into the National Register of Historic Places on April 26th.
The outstanding mortgage balance for Campbell was retired in May by an anonymous donor.
2020: The SC Department of Archives and History approved final inspection for a SC Historical Marker.
The outstanding mortgage balance for Campbell was retired in May by an anonymous donor.

The Process

Reconstructed elements must aide in providing a final structure that would “fit” into its original time and place.
Once the scope is determined, more technical information is developed to show a restoration contractor the extent of his work. Constant evaluation of the structure allows a response to any new details which were hidden during the initial evaluation. In the absence of any physical evidence, study is required to determine what missing element would have been appropriate at the time of original construction.
Reconstructed elements must aide in providing a final structure that would “fit” into its original time and place.

Who Will Do The Restoration...

James McGhee - Historic Architect

“In the case of Campbell Chapel, I have been blessed to discover layers of existing materials and construction that guide a deeper understanding of how the original Chapel was built. As each layer of investigation proceeds, more surprises of the original Chapel appear: how it was constructed, the materials utilized, the function and discovery of the uniqueness of this building. The size and location of the original bell-tower is now known. The discovery of a rare “jib door” below a window at two locations shows the extent of the original “builder’s” love of purpose and the reason to build in the first place. As the details are “filled” in, the Chapel will once again establish its impact on the Town of Bluffton and demonstrate its importance in the built fabric of the community.”

In practice since 1985, James McGhee is the creative director of a wide range of architectural building types. He seeks to maintain a personal involvement with his clients to preserve and develop the client’s interests, translating into consistent quality and character in his work. Background