Jeff's top ten most beautiful churches Number One
Jeff's top ten most beautiful church buildings in Charleston, South Carolina. In my view, St. Philips Church is number one. A National Historic Landmark, it opened in 1838 (spire completed in 1850). The current building is the second built at this site, the first burned in 1835. Established in 1680 by the Church of England, St. Philips is the oldest congregation in South Carolina. The brick and stuccoed structure with its towering 200 feet steeple was designed in Wren-Gibbes tradition. Joseph Hyde designed the lower portion and Edward Brickell White was the architect of the steeple. With three pedimented porticos and tuscan order columns, it is a variation of the cruciform architectural plan. The chancel was damaged during the civil war by the U.S. Army as it was used as a sighting point during a 587 day bombardment. Prominent people are buried in the church graveyard are Edward Rutledge, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Pinckney, signer of US Constitution, and John C. Calhoun, seventh vice-President of the US.
Coming in at number two is the Grace Church Cathedrel. Built at a cost of $19,200, it opened in 1848. It is Charleston's second example of Neo-Gothic or Gothic Revival architecture. Designed by E.B. White, Charleston's most prolific architect during the first half of the 19th century. The sanctuary has survived hurricanes, the Great Earth Quake of 1886, and shelling during the Civil War.Inspired by medieval structures, Neo-Gothic started in England in the 1840s.. Other examples include the Palace of Westminster and the Washington Cathedrel. The brick and stucco building underwent renovation starting back in 2011. During the Civil War the bells were recast into cannon.and for over a century was a "Silent Church," not receiving news bells until 1998. I guess you can say they really did save Grace.
Number three goes to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Cornerstone was laid in 1890 and opened in 1907, it is the second Cathedral built at this location. The first, the Cathedral of Saint John and Saint Finbar was also made of brownstone opened in 1854, believed to be fire-proof but burned in the Great Fire of 1861 during the Civil War. The diocese was established in 1820, making it the seventh oldest in the United States and the mother Catholic Dicese of Charleston. The architect was Irish-American Patrict C. Keely, who was one of the most prolific designers during the 19th century, during that time, he is designed every Catholic cathedrals in New England, including St. Mary's in Newport Rhode Island where Jacqueline Bouvier and Senator John F. Kennedy tied the knot in 1953.
Number four is St. Michael's Anglican church. St. Michael's is the oldest surviving church building in downtown Charleston. Located at Broad and Meeting streets, it represents ecclesiastical law as part of the Four Corners of Law. Opening in 1761, the architect is unknown, but shows the influence of St.Martin-in-the-fields in London England. The architectual style is Georgian with a two-story portico that features Tuscan columns.
During his grand tour through the deep south, George Washington worshipped in pew number 43. Robert E. Lee and Marquis de Lafayette also worshipped here.