The 1802 Spartanburgh Revival: A Religious Awakening in South Carolina

A typical Camp Meeting in the 2nd Great Awakening
The 1802 Spartanburgh Revival was a significant religious awakening that took place in Spartanburgh, South Carolina (now Spartanburg), during the Second Great Awakening in the United States. This revival, lasting for three years1 was characterized by personal religious experiences, emotional conversions, and a renewed emphasis on personal godliness. This report aims to provide a comprehensive history of the 1802 Spartanburgh Revival, exploring its context, key events, leaders, and lasting impact.
The Second Great Awakening
The 1802 Spartanburgh Revival was not an isolated event. It occurred within the larger context of the Second Great Awakening, a period of widespread religious fervour that swept across the United States from the 1790s to the 1830s2. This era witnessed numerous revivals, fuelled by the separation of religion from political control after the American Revolution3 and fundamentally altered the character of American religion3. At the start of the Revolution, the largest denominations were Congregationalists, Anglicans (later Episcopalians), and Quakers.
But by 1800, Evangelical Methodism and Baptists were becoming the fastest-growing religions in the nation3. The Second Great Awakening is best known for its large camp meetings that led extraordinary numbers of people to convert through an enthusiastic style of preaching and audience participation3. One young man who attended the famous 20,000-person revival at Cane Ridge, Kentucky, in 1802, was so moved by the experience that he went on to become a Methodist minister3.
This anecdote captures the spirit of these camp meetings and their power to transform lives.
Religious Landscape of Spartanburgh Prior to 1802
Before the American Revolution, the Church of England held a prominent position in South Carolina as the established church4. However, the state constitution of 1778, largely influenced by Presbyterian minister William Tennent, disestablished the Church of England and promoted religious freedom5.
This shift towards religious freedom coincided with the rise of the Second Great Awakening and created a fertile ground for the growth of evangelical denominations like Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians, particularly in the backcountry regions of South Carolina, including Spartanburgh3. The backcountry, with its growing population of settlers and a less established social order, proved to be particularly receptive to the message of personal piety and emotional religious experiences that characterized the Second Great Awakening3.
It is important to note the significant role that women played in the Methodist movement during this period6. Women joined the movement in large numbers, attracted by its emphasis on equality before God and its denouncement of the sins of the wealthy6. Their active participation in the Second Great Awakening contributed to its widespread influence and helped shape the religious landscape of the South.
Precursors to the 1802 Revival
The camp meetings that characterized the Second Great Awakening, including the one that sparked the 1802 Spartanburgh Revival, have their roots in the “Holy Fairs” of Scotland, Ireland, and England2. These Holy Fairs were large outdoor gatherings with a focus on religious services and preaching2. The concept of these gatherings was brought to America by Presbyterian settlers and adapted into the camp meetings that became a hallmark of the Second Great Awakening.
Events Leading to the 1802 Spartanburgh Revival
The 1802 Spartanburgh Revival was sparked by a camp meeting organized by Presbyterians along the Tyger River2. This camp meeting, which began on a Friday and was scheduled to run until Monday2 was a typical feature of the Second Great Awakening2. Camp meetings, characterized by outdoor gatherings with preaching, praying, and singing, often drew large crowds and provided a fertile ground for religious excitement and conversions2.
It is estimated that up to 8,000 people attended this particular camp meeting, representing approximately two-thirds of the district’s population at that time2. About 200 wagons were present2 highlighting the scale and logistical complexity of these gatherings.
On Sunday, communion was offered to about 400 people2. It is important to note that the Presbyterians practiced closed communion, meaning only those who had been pre-approved by the ministers could participate2. This practice reflects the theological emphasis on individual worthiness and spiritual preparation that was prevalent among some denominations during this era.
Adding to the already charged atmosphere of the camp meeting, a solar eclipse occurred, dimming the sun and casting a sombre hue over the gathering1. The preachers seized upon this natural phenomenon, interpreting it as a sign from God and using it to further awaken and humble the sinners in attendance1.
Key Leaders and Their Roles
While specific names of leaders in the 1802 Spartanburgh Revival are not available in any extant material, it is known that Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist ministers played significant roles in organizing and leading the camp meetings2. These ministers preached sermons, offered spiritual guidance, and facilitated the religious experiences of the participants.
It is important to acknowledge that not all ministers embraced the emotional excesses and physical manifestations that often accompanied these revivals. Some, like Presbyterian minister James McGready, were known to oppose what they perceived as fanaticism and irregularities7. This opposition highlights the diverse perspectives and internal debates within the religious community during the Second Great Awakening.
Churches Involved
The 1802 Spartanburgh Revival involved the participation of various denominations, primarily Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists2. These denominations came together to organize and conduct the camp meetings, fostering a sense of interdenominational cooperation during the revival.
This collaboration reflects a broader trend of unity and shared purpose among evangelical Protestants during the Second Great Awakening, as they sought to spread their message and revitalize religious life in America2. Nazareth Presbyterian Church, established in 1772, served as a significant site for the revival8.
Personal Testimonies
While specific personal testimonies from participants in the 1802 Spartanburgh Revival are not readily available today, one compelling account emerges from the historical records. Thomas Woodruff, a schoolmaster in the area, became concerned about the prolonged absence of one of his students, Rhoda Bragg9.
Upon searching for her, he found her on her knees, fervently praying for his salvation9. Deeply affected by this encounter, Woodruff remained and listened, eventually experiencing a conversion himself9. This anecdote illustrates the profound impact the revival had on individuals and how it permeated even the seemingly mundane aspects of daily life.
Historical accounts of similar revivals during the Second Great Awakening provide further insights into the types of religious experiences that were common during this era. These experiences often involved intense emotions, convictions of sin, and profound conversions2.
Manifestations of the Holy Spirit
The 1802 Spartanburgh Revival was marked by various manifestations attributed to the Holy Spirit. Ebenezer Cummins, in a letter describing the events, provides vivid details of these manifestations2. He describes people being “wrapped in solitude,” while others “pour out their whole souls in exhortations.” 2
Some experienced “mild swoons,” while others were overcome by “convulsive spasms.” 2 Cummins paints a dramatic picture of the scene, with some individuals appearing as though “their very hearts would burst out of their mouths.” 2 These physical and emotional expressions were often seen as evidence of God’s presence and power, and they contributed to the intensity and fervour of the revival.
Immediate and Lasting Results
The 1802 Spartanburgh Revival had a profound impact on the religious landscape of Spartanburgh and the surrounding areas. It led to numerous conversions, strengthened existing churches, and fostered the formation of new congregations9. It is estimated that between two and three thousand souls were added to the churches in the area during this period9.
Furthermore, thirteen new churches were formed within a twenty-five-mile radius9 demonstrating the revival’s lasting impact on the region’s religious landscape. The revival also contributed to a heightened sense of religious fervour and a renewed emphasis on personal piety in the community. This Christian awakening lasted for three years1 leaving an enduring legacy on the spiritual and social fabric of the region.
Timeline of Major Events
While a precise timeline with specific dates cannot be fully constructed based on the available research material, the following provides a general overview of the major events:
- 1790s – 1830s: The Second Great Awakening sweeps across the United States.
- Early 1802: Presbyterians organize a camp meeting along the Tyger River.
- Friday: Camp meeting commences with preaching, praying, and singing.
- Sunday: Communion is offered, and intense religious experiences and conversions begin.
- Sunday Evening: A solar eclipse occurs, adding to the atmosphere of the revival.
- Monday: The camp meeting concludes.
- Following Three Years: Revival spreads to other parts of the district and continues with unabated fervour.
Key Takeaways and Significance
The 1802 Spartanburgh Revival reminds us that revivals can have a transforming impact on individuals and communities. This revival contributed to the growth of evangelical Protestantism in South Carolina, fostered a renewed emphasis on personal piety, and left a lasting legacy on the religious landscape of the region.
The revival’s emphasis on personal piety and emotional religious experiences marked a significant shift from the more formal and ritualistic practices of established churches like the Church of England3. This shift reflects the broader trend of democratization in religion during the Second Great Awakening, where individual experience and heart-felt connection to God were increasingly valued3.
The 1802 Spartanburgh Revival also highlights the role of social and geographical context in shaping religious movements. Its occurrence in the backcountry of South Carolina, a region with a growing population of settlers and a less established social order, suggests that the Second Great Awakening was particularly influential in areas where traditional religious institutions were weaker3.
Conclusion
The 1802 Spartanburgh Revival was a pivotal event in the religious history of South Carolina. It exemplified the fervour and emotional intensity that characterized the Second Great Awakening and contributed to the growth of evangelical Protestantism in the region. While further research may uncover more specific details and personal accounts, this report provides a comprehensive overview of this significant religious awakening and its place within the broader Christian landscape of early America.
Works cited
- Full text of “History of Spartanburg County; embracing an account of many important events, and biographical sketches of statesmen, divines and other public men ..” – Internet Archive, accessed on December 15, 2024, https://archive.org/stream/historyofspartan00land/historyofspartan00land_djvu.txt
- 1802 Spartanburgh Revival – BEAUTIFUL FEETBEAUTIFUL FEET, accessed on December 15, 2024, https://romans1015.com/spartanburgh/
- 22c. Religious Transformation and the Second Great Awakening – USHistory.org, accessed on December 15, 2024, https://www.ushistory.org/us/22c.asp
- South Carolina Church History – FamilySearch, accessed on December 15, 2024, https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/South_Carolina_Church_History
- Remaining Early States’ History of Religious Freedom and Disestablishment: South Carolina, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, Rhode Island – Guest Essayist: Archie P. Jones – Constituting America, accessed on December 15, 2024, https://constitutingamerica.org/remaining-early-states-history-religious-freedom-disestablishment-sc-nj-de-pa-md-ga-ri-archie-p-jones/
- Methodists | South Carolina Encyclopedia, accessed on December 15, 2024, https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/methodists/
- William Henry Foote, 1794-1869. Sketches of North Carolina, Historical and Biographical, Illustrative of the Principles of a Portion of Her Early Settlers., accessed on December 15, 2024, https://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/foote/foote.html
- Nazareth Church Stone Marker – The Historical Marker Database, accessed on December 15, 2024, https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=121926
- A History of Spartanburg County – Seeking my Roots, accessed on December 15, 2024, https://www.seekingmyroots.com/members/files/H010912.pdf