St. Matthew’s Parish Church, Fort Motte is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. Established by acts of the South Carolina Colonial Assembly in 1765 and 1768, the original geographic area of St. Matthew’s Parish encompassed much of Amelia and Orangeburgh Townships in the colony’s sparsely settled “back country.” These areas are currently located in present-day Calhoun and Orangeburg Counties. The new parish was founded many miles up-river from Charles Town, but has had