Top 5 Best Downtown Historic Churches

The other night. my class and I went around downtown to see 9 historic churches and 1 synagogue to admire their architecture  Out of these ten, I will share with you my five favorite. We walked down the quietest and most beautiful sidewalks in neighborhoods that look like they were taken straight out of a movie scene. The historic homes and magnificent churches makes it hard to believe that I go to college and live here!

#5- St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 89 Hasell Street

St. Mary's was built in 1789. What started as just a wood frame as a meeting place for the few Roman Catholics in Charleston became a large brick sanctuary. Although, it did not stand the Great Fire which burned two thirds of downtown and was later reopened on June 9, 1839. After this, it survived the Civil Revolution, an earthquake, and multiple hurricanes with minor damages. What drew me to this church was the original, detailed fence, the bright red doors, and the large cross sitting on top. It makes itself stand out and also draws you in with its history. 

#4- St. Philip's Church, 142 Church Street

St. Philip's is an Episcopal church founded in 1680 and built in 1836. It is the oldest congregational church of the south. It used to be located on the corner of Broad and Meeting Street (where St. Michael's is currently), but moved to Church Street for more land. This church also suffered the Great Fire and was rebuilt in 1838. Looking at the church in person, you have to tilt your head back as far as you can to see the top of the steeple. The stucco building makes you feel as in you are back in the 19th century. 

#3- French Huguenot Church, 136 Church Street

The Huguenot Church is a French Protestant church built in 1844. It is the oldest Gothic Revival church in South Carolina. Its cemetery is home of many Huguenots. It has faced many rebuilds due to damage but for the most part looks the same as it did in 1845. I love this church for the original iron fence with crockets on top which match the crockets on the roof. It is very elegant and perfect for wedding venues!

#2- Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting Street

The Circular Congregational Church was built with Greek Revival architecture  It was founded by Charleston's first settlers in 1681 and has graves in its churchyard that date back to the 1690s. Currently, there are over 500 graves plus all those that were lost in natural disasters. It also used to be called a "meeting house" which gave Meeting Street its name. Everyone was always welcome here, including enslaved people. This church made second on my list because of it being one of the oldest churches in the south, its unique shape, its accessible and ancient cemetery, and its congeniality throughout time. 

#1- St. Michael's Church, 80 Meeting Street

St. Michael's is an Anglican church built in the 1750s. It has Georgian architecture and its design is the same as it was when it opened. The extraordinary steeple is now 186 feet tall after lowering 8 inches from an earthquake. George Washington even worshipped here back in 1791! You can picture the beautiful blue sky with gold stars painted on the interior dome done in 1905. This church speaks to me because it is located on the Four Corners of Law in downtown Charleston and because of its rich history filled with detailed architecture.