St. Philip's Episcopal Church

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St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

Often regarded as the “Westminster Abbey of South Carolina,” St. Philip’s Episcopal Church has played an important part in the spiritual, cultural, and civic life of the people of the city of Charleston and the United States for over three hundred years. Established in 1680, it is one of the oldest congregation in Southern United States.

The original wooden structure was built in 1681 at the current site of St. Micheal’s Church. As the congregation grew, a larger building was needed and a brick church was built in 1710 on its current site at the French Quarter of the city. This building was totally burnt down by a fire in 1835. The third and present structure of St. Philip’s was built from 1835 to 1838 by architect Joseph Hyde, while the steeple, designed by E.B. White, was added a ten years later.

Interesting Facts About the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

The churchyard’s cemetery is where leading patriots who signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, including Charles Pinckney and Edward Rutledge, are buried.
During the American Civil War its bells were converted into cannons, and were not replaced until 1976.
St. Philip’s established the first hospital and one of the earliest schools in colonial South Carolina.
The church was also known as the lighthouse church, as a light was used to be located in the steeple to help guide ships to navigate the Charleston Harbor.

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