The Holy City's Holiest

This week we took a class excursion to some of the oldest and most unique churches situated in the heart of the Holy City, downtown Charleston. I'd say in my opinion, there were definitely a select few that stood out just from first impressions, but upon doing more research I am going to note a few that, if you ever get a chance, you should definitely take a day to explore some of the most amazing architecture you can find this side of the country.

To make a long story short, I'm going to rank my personal top five Holy City holiest.

#5 The Second Presbyterian Church

This church ranks number five on my list not for lack of history. It's story starts with it's official founding in the year 1809. As a Presbyterian church, like I covered in my last post, it's members were known as dissenters of the church of England and came here to be free of the religious persecution they had come upon. This church was founded out of The First Scots Presbyterian Church, which had grown too large to accommodate the worshipers. 

This building was built in the popular Greek revivalist style and featured a Tuscan portico, and originally a spire which had to be dropped due to complications. In my opinion, the most enrapturing facet of this building is the original bricks used in it's bell tower, which were revealed by the earthquake of 1886. 

#4 St. Philip's Episcopal Church 

St. Philip's Episcopal Church, named for one of the original twelve apostles of the Bible, certainly deserves it's spot on this list, even if only also for it's history. This church is famed for it's numbers of influential speakers who have set foot within it's doors since it's opening in 1680 (even though the original building has been lost to time), including the feet of College of Charleston's founding president. Of even more importance, in my opinion, it was the foundation of the very first school and hospital of the colony. 

 This second building is built in Anglo-Palladian style, which in another classical revivalist architectural style, inspired by a Venetian architect of the sixteenth century. I believe it's most striking feature must be it's landscape and placement within the street of Charleston. On any Wednesday evening you can walk past this magnificent architectural art piece to the sound of light choir in the setting sun with a beautiful graveyard park on either side.

#3 Unitarian Church in Charleston

The cornerstone of this Unitarian sanctuary was officially laid in 1772, although the congregation didn't become the distinctly separate Unitarian Church from the Society of Dissenters until 1839. It is the oldest Unitarian church in the south, and because of that reason, and it's architectural significance, it is a registered national historic landmark. It's original construction (almost completed at the time) had to be halted during the revolutionary war due to the British occupation of Charleston, and was finally finished after it's conclusion about ten years thereafter. 

I find this church's construction particularly beautiful because of it's uniqueness and departure from the standard classic revivalist architecture popular for the time of the majority of these churches constructions. It is believed that this was the first example of Gothic architecture built in the United States, one of my personal favorite architectural styles. On top of that, it's stained glass windows were considered to be the finest in the country at the time. The only reason this church isn't listed as my #1 is that we didn't have the opportunity to visit the inner sanctuary of this church, which is filled with it's renowned stained glass panels and a beautiful Gothic, fan vaulted ceiling. If ever there was a church in Charleston to see, I would vote this to be the one.

#2 The French Huguenot Church

This church was built in 1687 following the arrival of an abundance of merchant and professional class French Huguenots. Both the original building and the current building went through a wealth of natural and man-made disasters much the same as many of the other churches on this list, and it is a miracle so much of it survived. The most miraculous surviving aspect of this congregation, however, is it is the only remaining, and longest practicing French Huguenot church in the United States. 

The architectural facets of this building are just as interesting as the historical information. Again, this one rises to the top of my list because of it's Gothic architectural elements, it even boasts a traditional Gothic style organ. To me the most noticeably beautiful elements have to be its color, a coral pink Charleston's "Rainbow Row" is known for, and its detailed black trellis' and trimmings. 

#1 Circular Congregational Church

  The Circular Congregational Church is one of the oldest continually worshiping congregations in the south for over three-hundred years, starting in 1681. It is also the proud founder of the oldest cemetery in the city. One of the most notable historic disasters that befell this church was the impact of a canon withing the church yard and the occupation of the British during the Revolutionary war that left several heads of the church in exile. 

One of South Carolina's most famous architect, Robert Mills (known for the Washington Monument), took charge of the formidable task of a circular style church. He created a pantheon style building with twenty-six windows and seven great doors, and was the first major domed building in the United States. Later, a one-hundred and eighty-two feet steeple was added. This building also has a sanctuary of splendor, with huge arching pews and beautiful structural beams complimenting it's stain glass windows.