PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC (WBTW) – Construction crews tried to pick up and move a piece of history in Pawleys Island Friday.
The foundation of the Pawleys Island Chapel was damaged during Hurricane Matthew, and Mayor Jimmy Braswell says they had to repair it.
Crews worked for about seven hours to try to move the church across the street so they could replace the pilings in the marsh area.
The contractor for the project says the building was just too heavy, and they plan to bring a bigger crane in on Monday to move it.
The church is more than 70 years old, and the Braswell says it’s known as an icon in the area.
“When you come across each one of the causeways, you can see that chapel, and as most of my friends always say, they see the chapel and the pelican inn, all their stress levels goes to about zero,” said Braswell.
Several members of the community watched anxiously as the crews struggled to move the church.
Jimmy McCants says he’s been going to the church for more than 20 years, and Friday he watched all day as crews worked.
“It is truly an icon. Everybody on this little island feels very close to it. So, everybody’s concerned,” said McCants.
McCants says he hopes the contractors will be able to quickly finish the project because they’re supposed to have a wedding in the church in three weeks.
Right now, he says they’re hoping to have the project completely finished in the next two weeks.