By Richard Lilly
“One of my most vivid memories of the church is of the terrible fire that was discovered about 4 a.m. August 26, 1945. The fire gone up through the organ into the ceiling which was supported entirely by an extensive framework of wood. If the fire had become established there, it would likely have meant the loss of the entire ceiling, the roof supports, and the roof of the sanctuary.
At that time, Charleston had a Black fire company….which was greatly admired for its skill and bravery. I watched as several of them stood in front of the pulpit for a moment or two, decided on what had to be done, and moved quickly.
They tied a fire axe to the top of one ladder, then tied another ladder to it with extensive overlap so as to give stability. Additional ladders were brought in from the many fire trucks nearby to continue the process. As the ladders grew in height four ropes were attached, with men taking them into the pulpit, the side balconies and the rear balcony to provide stability, the ropes acting as guy wire. Finally, the fire axe reached the ceiling and the two brave men stood there lifting the ladder structure again and again to jab at the 4-inch-thick plaster. As they did so smoke came out. Heavey chunks of plaster fell on and around them, but finally they achieved a hole in the ceiling large enough for a man to go through. Then one of them climbed the swaying ladder with a rope, went up into the smoke-filled ceiling, then pulled a three-inch hose up to put out the fire that was becoming established in the front of the sanctuary. Without the resourcefulness and bravery of that Black fire company, The Sanctuary of First (Scots) may well have been lost.”
Richard and his family lived at 82 Tradd in 1945 and witnessed the fire and the response of every fire company in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, and North Charleston the early morning of the fire to First (Scots).
Richard and Edward Lilly are the sons of Rev. Richard Lilly who served as pastor of First (Scots) from 1937-1955 and author of The Burning Bush, a short history of First (Scots) The Lilly Chapel is named in honor of Rev. Lilly. Richard and his wife, Lasca and his brother, Ed Lilly and his wife, Nancy are active members of First (Scots). You may visit them in the center aisle of the church before or after the 8:45 service every Sunday.
A picture of the Sanctuary pre 1945 is located at the entrance to the Lilly Chapel from the back hallway. Take moment to see how the fire changed the Sanctuary.