St. Michael’s Church

St. Michael's Church

St. Michael's Church Pixabay Public Domain

A stunning Episcopal church on Charleston's historic Broad Street, St. Michael's is the oldest surviving religious structure in the city. Standing as a testament to the American freedom of religion, St. Michael's has survived fire, flood, earthquakes, and tornadoes as well as man's folly, especially during the tumult of the Civil War. Visit and learn about its history, allow yourself to be struck in awe of the peaceful and poignant sanctuary, or stay for a worship service and marvel at the significance of the religious and historic landmark.

St. Michael's began construction in 1751 after its predecessor, St. Philip's, became too small to fit its growing congregation. The church had, previously, been damaged in a fire and later moved, leaving the location on Broad Street for the newly constructed St. Michael's. While no one quite knows who the designing architect was, it is clear that the church was fashioned to resemble a church in London. The font itself, truly, was imported from England in 1771, showing how close the ties to England were at the time.

As you enter the church, you first see the Tuscan columns, go a bit further and witness the glory of the spectacular stained glass window of the Annunciation, and the historic pews on which George Washington and Robert E. Lee once worshiped. After your visit, stop next at the adjacent St. Michael's Churchyard where you'll find the gravestones of two signers of the U.S. Constitution.