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St. Philip's Episcopal
Church
CHARLESTON
The first Episcopal Church in South Carolina was
built about 1681-2 at the southeast corner of Broad and
Meeting Streets, where St. Michael's now stands. In a deed of
sale, June 11, 1697, Joseph Blake held it in trust for the use
of St. Philip's Church, therefore, St. Philip's is the oldest
Protestant Episcopal congregation south of Virginia. The first
St. Philip's was erected of wood, and was torn down in 1727.
March 1, 1710-11 an Act was passed for erecting a new brick
building. This, however, was not completed until 1733. Facing
the west, it was topped by a steeple eighty feet high and was
known far and wide for its great beauty. On
February 15, 1835, it was burned.
The third St.
Philip's, a late Georgian edifice planned by Joseph Hyde, was
used for service May 3, 1838. The steeple, designed by Edward
Brickell White, formerly held a mariner's light and was a
target during Federal bombardments. Its chimes, cast into
Confederate cannon, have never been replaced.
On the
tombstones in St. Philip's graveyard we find many
distinguished names: Edward Rutledge, signer of the
Declaration of Independence; John C. Calhoun, perhaps South
Carolina's greatest statesman; William Rhett, famous for his
capture of the pirates; Landgrave Robert Daniell, deputy
governor and famous Indian fighter.
Although this fine
old church has been injured by war, cyclone, earthquake and
tornado, it still stands the "Westminster of the South", and
is known as one of the most beautiful in America.
BY
HAZEL CROWSON SELLERS
South Carolina Churches
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