Churches in Charleston

Known as Paul’s Radcliffeboro, Cathedral of St Luke and St Paul is an old Cathedral church in Charleston. Built in a new Gothic style, the building of the Cathedral was earlier a simple building. With the passing times, the interiors were adorned with fancy paintings, stained-glass windows and gold paint leaf designs on the walls. Owing to Covid 19 pandemic, all the prayers and activities are being organised through the social media apps and softwares like zoom.

Address : 126 Coming St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States

Contact : +1 843-256-5104

Timings : Sunday prayer - online - 10:00 AM

Parking : Not available

Wheelchair access : Not available

Founded in : 1810

Central Congregational Church was earlier called the Circular Church. This church in Charleston back in the day used to be an independent church but in 1882, it joined Congregational Association, The United Church of Christ and United Presbyterian church. It is the only church that is a part of two major denominations. Since it is influenced by various groups, the architecture is no different. It is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic design with the cloverleaf-like building structure.The church looks regal with twin stairways, wrought iron railings and carvings on pillars. The church embodies a beautiful serene personality and is a must visit.

Address : 150 meeting Street, Charleston, 29401, South Carolina, USA

Timings : Subject to change

Established in : 1681(First building)

Achievement : Recognised as National Historic Landmark

Parking : Not available

Wheelchair access : Not available

Note : A few sessions are shelved owing to the pandemic

Also known as Mother Emanuel Church, this church in Charleston is the oldest African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in the Southern United States. The church throws light on the struggle of the Blacks back in the day. It was established as a result of the revolt where blacks fought for their right to worship which was denied in churches controlled by the Whites. It is the first independent black denomination church in the United States. With a capacity of 2500 people, it is one of the largest black churches in Charleston. The Mother Emanuel Church is built on the lines of Gothic architecture and has a sense of serenity in its personality. Owing to COVID-19 pandemic, the church is not open to the public. Yet, it conducts live streaming through social media accounts and apps.

Address : 110 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States

Contact : Contact - +1 843-722-2561

Founded in : 1816

Founder : RT Rev Richard Allen

Service Timings : Sunday church school – 8:30 AM
Sunday worship service – 9:30 AM
Wednesday Bible study – 6:00 PM
Thursday Bible study – 12:00 PM
Thursday prayer meeting – 6:00 PM
Love fest – before first Sunday of the month – after Bible study

Highlight : Baptism on every third Sunday of the month
Youth Sunday on every fourth Sunday of the month

Parking : Not available.

Wheelchair facility : Not available.

Formerly a part of Circular Congregational Church, First Scots Presbyterian Church is the fifth oldest congregation of the city. This Church in Charleston now walks on the path of the Church of Scotland. With stuccoed bricks covering the walls, twin towers, covered portico and stained glass spanning the entrance is a sight to behold.

Address : 53 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States

Timings : Monday to Thursday - 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Saturdays - 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Contact : +1 843-722-8882

Formed in : 1731 (older one)

Parking : Not available

Wheelchair access : Not available

Note : A few sessions are shelved due to Covid -19

Like other Churches, Cathedral of St John the Baptist fought various challenges to be what it is today. Inspired by Gothic architecture, this Church in Charleston is made of brownstone exteriors alongside large stained glass windows, engraved bells, carved oak pews and mesmerising marble altars on the inside. Keeping in mind the magnitude of activity, the Church keeps its followers updated with their weekly and monthly schedule on its website. It is advised to check it out in advance and plan the visit accordingly. Apart from the spiritual sessions, the Church holds Cathedral choir sessions, conscious classes on climate and environmental sustainability, discussions for young adults on relevant issues of interest and family planning for a stronger societal framework.

Address : 120 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States

Contact : +1 843-724-839

Founded in : 1850

Timings : Mass - 9:00 AM everyday through the Church’s Facebook live
Sunday masses - 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM onwards
Saturday vigil mass - 5:30 PM onwards
Parish office hours - Weekdays - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Confessions - Wednesdays - 9:30 AM, Saturdays - 10:00 AM

Parking : Not available

Wheelchair access : Not available

Highlight : Church's organ

Formerly known as Unitarian Universalist church, this church is the oldest Unitarian church in Charleston. Standing in its own right on a popular bustling street, this Church believes in social justice and embraces diversity. This centre of faith has the city's second oldest church building and the church was declared a national historic landmark in 1976. Apart from the picturesque greenery, the Church has jaw dropping interiors. Reflecting ethereal design, Unitarian Church is an English Perpendicular Gothic Revival marvel with a splendid fan vaulted ceiling, nave and chancel. The interiors of the Church are made with walnut and to add to its beauty, the main window is made with stained glass that lists the old and new testaments that are worth a read. The Church is now open during the pandemic. However, there are no fixed timings.

Address : 4 Archdale St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States

Contact : +1 843-723-4617

Church timings : Subject to change

Church yard timings : Opens daily 

Monday to Thursday – 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Friday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Founded in : 1787

Highlights : Cemetery 

Must do : Ghost tours (walking night tour)

Valet parking : Available 

Capacity : 250 people

Wheelchair friendly : Yes

Assistive listening devices :
Available 
 

Note :

• No smoking allowed.
• LGBTQ welcoming congregation.

A part of Charleston Historic District, Grace Church Cathedral is an Episcopal church in Charleston. Built in a Gothic design template, This church has 10 bells and is made stuccoed brick. Grace Church Cathedral is not a conventional church as it is always high on energy because of the events it organises. Apart from spiritual sessions, the church is a centre of philanthropy and promotes social justice through gender equality, communal harmony, education and climatic control. This church in Charleston actively encourages Catholic art, music and ideas through its forum and podcasts. The best part of this place is that it holds special yoga sessions online for overall well being. Currently, the church is conducting a live stream of all its activities through social media and apps like Zoom.

St Philip Church is the oldest congregation of the state. This Church in Charleston was honoured with the designation of National Historic Landmark in 1973. The Church is sophisticated, well kept and tastefully designed in subtle hues that feel soothing. Constructed with stuccoed brick along with elegant porticoes, the church looks strikingly majestic with steeples decorated with vintage clocks. St Philip Church emphasises on interactions amongst all age groups. So, apart from the generic study sessions, it holds meetings for men, youth groups, kids and adults choir too. They have separate activities for kids of different age groups on Sundays. Since so much is going on all the time it is advised to see their monthly schedule in advance if you wish to visit this church.

Address : 142 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States

Contact : +1 843-722-7734
 

Timings : Monday to Thursday – 8:30 AM to 4:30 AM
Friday – 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Sundays – 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon

Founded in : 1680

Free parking : Available

Wheelchair facility : Not available

Graveyard : Closed for repairs

Prayer list : Both public and private

Highlight : Wednesdays Alive

Back in the 1800s, a number of churches were springing up in the city. The Germans wanted to have a church where they could worship in their own dialect. The German Evangelical Lutheran church was founded in the year 1840 and slowly gathered a huge following over the years. Earlier it was located on Hasell and Anson streets but due to the increased following, it had to be relocated. Then the church moved to King Street – its current location in the year 1872. Since then this church in Charleston has been focusing on serving the needy and in undertaking philanthropic activities for community and universal good whenever possible. Based on Gothic architecture, Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church is the tallest church steeple in the state. Now, this beautiful church is open to visitors at certain time intervals keeping in mind safety guidelines of the pandemic.

Address : 405 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States.

Contact : Contact - +1 843-723-1611.

Timings : Timings - Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Founded in : 1840

Completed in : 1872.

Capacity : Approximately 765 people.

Parking : Not available

Wheelchair facility : Not available

Note : Some sessions are paid.

St Mary Catholic Church was the first Catholic Church that was established in Georgia and Carolina. The Church embodies the glory of craftsmanship with stained glass windows all the way from Munich. Fluttering with ancient architecture, this Church in Charleston is influenced by Greek revival design amidst a historic shopping district. Surviving blows of fire and war, the present structure has walls adorned with paintings and carvings on a few places. Enriched with history and peaceful surroundings, St Mary of Annunciation Catholic Church is a must visit.

Address : 95 Hasell St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States

Contact : +1 843-722-7696

Timings : Opens daily

Weekday and Saturday mass - 8:00 AM onwards 
Sunday mass - 9:00 AM onwards
Confessions - Mondays and Fridays - immediately after the mass, Saturdays - immediately after morning mass and 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Sundays - 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM and First Fridays - Following the 12:00 Noon mass. 
Devotions - Tuesdays - 5:15 PM to 5:45 PM - rosary
Anglican Rite Catholic Mass - 11:30 AM on Sundays.

Founded in : 1789.

Capacity : 350 people.

Parking : Not available.

Wheelchair facility : Not available.


Covid19 guidelines : No entry without a mask.
Follow social distancing.
Follow the designated seating arrangement.

St John’s Lutheran Church is famous as the Mother Church of Lutheranism in South Carolina. This church in Charleston is an example of exemplary wrought iron work on the front entrance gates. The church has an Italianate steeple that is covered with a bell shaped roof. St John’s Lutheran Church has a rectangular building that is made with stuccoed brick combining Central and Baroque architecture of components in design. Now, the St John’s Lutheran church is open to the public under strict safety guidelines.

Address : 5 Clifford St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States

Contact : +1 843-723-2426

Timings : (subject to change)

Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM 
Sundays - 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM
Sunday school – 9:00 AM
Holy worship with communion in person and online on Sunday – 10:00 AM
Nursery service – suspended
In person worship service – available on prior appointment.

Parking : Not available but you can park on Clifford Street

Wheelchair facility : Not available.

Established in : 1742

Highlight : Cemetery

Achievement : Church and Cemetery both are registered in National Register of Historic Places


Covid19 guidelines : No entry without a mask.
Follow social distancing.
Follow the designated seating arrangement.

French Huguenot Church is a result of the European Protestant movement. French Protestants or Huguenots started settling in the areas and began rehabilitation in these colonies. This Church in Charleston was built in 1687. The building later got exposed to a fire breakout that severely damaged it. However, it was redone in 1844 in the Gothic revival style and that’s how the current building looks like. In this church earlier, the teachings were done in French but now this happens only once a year. Every Sunday, the worshippers enjoy music and scripture study after the prayer is completed. Keeping the pandemic situation in mind, the Church has significantly reduced its opening time. It is advised to be on time and follow all Covid 19 precautions.

Address : 136 Church Street Charleston, SC 29401 Mailing Address: P. O. Drawer 917, Church St, Charleston, SC 29402, United States

Contact : +1 843-722-4385

Timings : Sunday service - 10:30 AM onwards
Office open - Monday to Friday - 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Communion is served on every first Sunday of the month at the altar rail

Highlight : Light Sunday meal followed by wine

Parking : Not available

Wheelchair access : Not available

Church yard timings :

Monday to Thursday - 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturdays - 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Must see : Church's organ