Its earliest parishisoners included a veritable cross-section of the people who lived in this locale from planters and merchants to the enslaved population and laborers. St. Davids is an integral part of the culture that produced Belgrade, Somerset Place and other plantations in this area. It is located on St. David’s Road just southeast of the junction with 1^st Street in Crewell and acorss the road from Belgrade Planataion. It is within sight of US-Hwy 64 just off the Alligood road Exit in Creswell.

St. David’s was originally constructed in 1803 by Rev. Charles Pettigrew, a former rector of Saint Paul’s in Edenton who later became the first Bishop of the Dicese of North Carolina. Rev. Pettigrew wrote in a letter to Rev. Blount on February 22, 1804,

“I am in hopes that they now begin to think me in earnest after having built them a decent and commodius chapel at my own expense except a few days work, besides attending funerals to the neglect of my own business and taking nothing from them for any serice I render them as clergyman and physician.”

Rev. Pettigrew, besides being a clergyman and physician, also owned Belgrade Plantation across the road from St. David’s. The church was known as Pettigrew’s Chapel.

In the 1850’s the Pettigrew and Collins families decided to add onto the chapel. Every foot of heart pine lumber was carefully inspected and only the best lumber was used. A large elongated rectangular section was added to the original “T” shaped chapel forming a cruciform. The new modification provided additional congregational seating with a slave section at the back. It was completed in 1857. Over the alter is a beautiful stained glass window dedicated to Rev. Pettigrew. Throughout the church are what appears to be exposed beams but are in fact, sounding boxes that make for splendid acoustics in the building. Available for viewing (though stored elsewhere for safekeeping), are the old parish registers, prayer books, bibles, and the solid silver communion set dated Easter Sunday, 1856. This set was given by Jane Caroline Pettigrew, wife of Charles Lockart Pettigrew, grandson of the builder.

In 1859 the vestry procured “specimens of glass” for a stained glass window. There is an inscription at the base of the window that states, “In loving memory of Rev. Charles Pettigrew, first Bishop-elect of the Diocese of North Carolina, a faithful and zealous laborer in God’s vineyard. “

According to oral history, during the Civil War both Union and Confederate soldiers camped on the grounds and used the church for shelter and storage. Unfortunately much valuable church and local property was damaged during these years. They took the baptismal outside to water horses. Those closely associated with the church came home broken-hearted to find their property gone and homes damaged. The whole community was rendered impoverished by the ravages of war.

Nonetheless the resilient people of Creswell persevered and rebuilt their community. In 1869 the vestry called Rev. William S. Pettigrew, offering a small salary. In 1877 Rev. H. W. Hilton from Plymouth Grace Church was called to St. David’s and subsequently founded a small mission in Columbia. In 1893 the ladies of the parish had installed a new church bell in place of the old worn out one. In 1897 a called meeting was held and it was decided to build a new church in Creswell. A year later the cornerstone was laid of Christ Church. Bishop Watson who was ordained at St. David’s blessed the stone and gave a speech in which he said in his closing remarks, “Don’t forget old St. David’s.”

In 1922 the young energetic Rev. Charles Williams came to the parish. He founded a mission at Lake Phelps that came to be known as the Galilee Mission in the building that was once the hospital for slaves at Somerset, the original chapel on the farm having burned years before.

St. David’s is available for tours given by members of the vestry of Christ Church from 10 am until 4 pm. However, notice would have to be given at least 24 hours in advance so that the proper arrangement can be made to open the church. A visit to the church would be an easy detour on the way to Somerset Place, or for travelers going to the beaches.