Circular Congregational Church

The Circular Congregational Church is a historic church in the city of Charleston dating back to the days of the establishment of the city itself. It was founded by the English Congregationalists, Scots Presbyterians, and French Huguenots of the original settlement. The church was founded in 1681, and it was already 200 years old when the original structure was damaged by an earthquake in 1886. The congregation was established as an alternative to the mainstream Anglican church dominant during that period. Because the members did not adhere to Anglicanism, they were labeled as ‘dissenters’ by the colonial government. For this reason, the church also became a center for revolutionary sentiments during the American Revolutionary War. The congregation also welcomed African-Americans, both freed and enslaved before they were able to establish their own church.