WHY IS CHARLESTON REFERRED TO AS "THE HOLY CITY"?
The city has long been noted for its numerous churches and denominations. It is the seatThe city is home to many well known churches, cathedrals, and synagogues. The church-tower spotted skyline is one of the reasons for the city's nickname, "The Holy City."
Historically, Charleston was one of the most religiously tolerant cities in the New World. Recently, the conservative Episcopal diocese of South Carolina, headquartered in Charleston, has been one of the key players in potential schism of the Anglican Church.
Charleston is home to the only African-American Seventh Day Baptist Church congregation in the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference of the
Charleston also has a large and historic Jewish population. The American branch of the Reform Jewish movement was founded in Charleston at Synagogue Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim. It is the fourth oldest Jewish congregation in the continental United States (after New York, Newport and Savannah).
Circular Congregational Church
150 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29401(843) 577-6400
Circular is a place, a church, and people committed to living and worshiping with joy, simplicity, and caring.
French Huguenot Church
140 Meeting St Charleston, SC 29401(843) 722-4385
Designed by renowned architect Edward Bricknell Wright, oldest continuously active Huguenot congregation in US.
First (Scots) Presbyterian Church
53 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29401(843) 722-8882
One of the oldest ecclesiastical buildings in the city, churchyard contains over fifty 18th century gravestones.
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim
90 Hasell Street Charleston, SC 29401(843) 723-1090
Founded in 1749, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim is the first Reform Jewish congregation in US in 1841, and fourth oldest Jewish congregation in US. Described as one of the most impressive examples of Greek Revival
architecture in America.
Second Presbyterian Church
328 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29401(843) 723-9237
The story of the genesis of our faith is told through a nomadic family that set out 4000 years ago from a place called Ur in the Chaldeans. The narrative unfolds in a sweep that begins with a promise that empowers a man named Abram to step out in faith and to step through hardship and ridicule not knowing where he was being sent or why.
St. Mary of the Annunciation
89 Hasell Street Charleston, SC 29401(843) 722-7696
First Roman Catholic congregation established in the Carolinas and Georgia.
St. Michael's Church
71 Broad Street Charleston, SC 29401(843) 723-0603
Considered one of America's most sophisticated colonial church buildings. Edward Rutledge, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, signer of the US Constitution, are buried in the graveyard.
St. Philip's Church
142 Church Street Charleston, SC 29401(843) 722-7734
Established in 1680 and is a center of vibrant worship. The church's steeple is one of the most recognized Charleston landmarks.
Trinity United Methodist Church
273 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29401(843) 722-8449
Perhaps the least altered of Charleston's late Greek Revival church buildings, this imposing structure presents a monumental Corinthian columned portico and massive dual flight of stone steps.