St. Michael's Anglican Church (Charleston, South Carolina)

Last updated

St. Michael's Anglican Church (formerly St. Michael's Episcopal Church)
St. Michael's Episcopal Church (Charleston, South Carolina) 02.JPG
St. Michael's Anglican Church (formerly St. Michael's Episcopal Church)
USA South Carolina location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location71 Broad St.,
Charleston, South Carolina
Coordinates 32°46′34.759″N79°55′50.738″W / 32.77632194°N 79.93076056°W / 32.77632194; -79.93076056
Built1751–1761
Built bySamuel Cardy
Architectural style Georgian
Part of Charleston Historic District (ID66000964)
NRHP reference No. 66000704
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1966 [1]
Designated NHLOctober 9, 1960 [2]
Designated NHLDCPOctober 9, 1960

St. Michael's Anglican [3] Church (formerly St. Michael's Episcopal Church) is a historic church and the oldest surviving religious structure in Charleston, South Carolina. It is located at Broad and Meeting streets on one of the Four Corners of Law, and represents ecclesiastical law. It was built in the 1750s by order of the South Carolina Assembly. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.

Contents

History

Church interior St. Michael's Episcopal Church - Charleston, South Carolina 01.JPG
Church interior

St. Michael's Church was built between 1751 and 1761 at the corner of Broad and Meeting streets on the site of the original wooden church built in 1681 by St. Philip's Church, It had been damaged in a hurricane in 1710 and a new St. Philip's Church was built several blocks away on Church Street. In 1727, what was left of the old wooden church was demolished. [4] [5] During his 1791 visit to the city, President George Washington worshipped in pew no. 43 of the church. Robert E. Lee also worshipped here.

It is not known who designed St. Michael's, but it shows the influence of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, designed in the 1720s by James Gibbs. Samuel Cardy was the builder. The walls are of brick that was stuccoed over and painted white. The two-story portico facing Broad Street was the first of its size in colonial America and features Tuscan columns. [6]

An organ by John Snetzler was fitted in 1768 but only the case remains; new organ 1994 by Kenneth Jones of Bray, Ireland.

In the north wall is a stained glass window that was given to the church in 1898 as a memorial to Mrs. E.A. Simons. The design of the window is a copy of "Easter Morning" using between 1800 and 2000 pieces in the six by ten foot window. It was created by Louis Lederlie for Tiffany Studios. [7] Louis Tiffany spent two months on the decorative panels and dome of the chancel in 1905. [8]

Another stained glass window is located in the chancel and depicts St. Michael conquering Satan; it is based on a work in the Louvre by Raphael. The window was made in New York and installed in 1893. The location had originally been a window, but the opening was enclosed in 1788 to prevent the spread of fires from adjacent buildings. In 1865, the wall was damaged by shelling during the Civil War, and the location of the window became apparent. [9]

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961, [10] [2] [11] and it was included in the first promulgation of the National Register in 1966.

St. Michael's Churchyard, adjacent to the church, is the resting place of some famous historical figures, including two signers of the U.S. Constitution.

Religious affiliation

St. Michael's was originally affiliated with the Church of England. Following the American Revolution the church came under the jurisdiction of what is now the Episcopal Church of the United States. Currently it is a parish church of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. In 2012 long simmering disagreements over doctrine and church discipline caused the Episcopal Diocese of SC to disaffiliate from the Episcopal Church, over time becoming known as the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. In June 2017 the diocese, and by extension St. Michael's, were received into the Anglican Church in North America. The parish continues to worship according to Anglican rites and traditions. [12] [13] [14] [15]

Clock and bells

The church houses a clock and change ringing bells dating from colonial times. The tower clock, which strikes the hours and quarters, was made by Aynsworth Thwaites Thwaites & Reed. [4] [16]

The tower bells are one of four sets (Grace Church Cathedral – Episcopal, The Cathedral Church of Saint Luke and Saint Paul, and Stella Maris Catholic church) in the Charleston area. The bells were cast in 1764 by Lester and Pack of London and recast in 1866 (in London again). [17] One bell was returned to London in 1870 to be recast at the expense of Charleston. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul (Charleston, South Carolina)</span>

The St. Luke and St. Paul Episcopal Church, located on Coming Street in Charleston, is the cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. It was originally known as St. Paul's Radcliffeboro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anglican Diocese of South Carolina</span>

The Anglican Diocese of South Carolina (ADOSC) is a diocese of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). The diocese covers an area of 24 counties in the eastern part of the state of South Carolina. In 2019, it had 18,195 baptized members and 47 parishes. The see city is Charleston, home to the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Michael's Episcopal Church (Manhattan)</span> Church in Manhattan, New York

St. Michael's Church is a historic Episcopal church at 225 West 99th Street and Amsterdam Avenue on Manhattan's Upper West Side in New York City. The parish was founded on the present site in January 1807, at that time in the rural Bloomingdale District. The present limestone Romanesque building, the third on the site, was built in 1890–91 to designs by Robert W. Gibson and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Gibbes House</span> Historic house in South Carolina, United States

The William Gibbes House is a historic house at 64 South Battery in Charleston, South Carolina. Built about 1772, it is one of the nation's finest examples of classical Georgian architecture. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fireproof Building</span> United States historic place

The Fireproof Building, also known as the County Records Building, is located at 100 Meeting Street, at the northwest corner of Washington Square, in Charleston, South Carolina. Completed in 1827, it was the most fire-resistant building in America at the time, and is believed to be the oldest fire-resistant building in America today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of the Holy Cross (Stateburg, South Carolina)</span> Historic church in South Carolina, United States

The Church of the Holy Cross is a historic Anglican church at 335 North Kings Highway in Stateburg, South Carolina. Built in 1850-52 to a design by noted South Carolina architect Edward C. Jones, it is a notable example of rammed earth construction with relatively high style Gothic Revival styling. It was designated a National Historic Landmark for its architecture in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. James Episcopal Church (Santee, South Carolina)</span> Historic church in South Carolina, United States

St. James Church, Santee, also known as St. James Episcopal Church, Santee, is a historic church located in a remote portion of Francis Marion National Forest in Charleston County, South Carolina. Built in 1768, it is a remarkably sophisticated expression of fashionable Georgian architecture in a remote area, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970 for its architectural significance. It is located on the west side of the Old Georgetown Road, several miles north of South Carolina Highway 46 and McClellanville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huguenot Church</span> Historic church in South Carolina, United States

The Huguenot Church, also called the French Huguenot Church or the French Protestant Church, is a Gothic Revival church located at 136 Church Street in Charleston, South Carolina. Built in 1844 and designed by architect Edward Brickell White, it is the oldest Gothic Revival church in South Carolina, and has been designated a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The congregation it serves traces its origins to the 1680s, and is the only independent Huguenot church in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Brickell White</span> American architect

Edward Brickell White, also known as E. B. White, was an architect in the United States. He was known for his Gothic Revival architecture and his use of Roman and Greek designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Marine Hospital (Charleston, South Carolina)</span> United States historic place

The Old Marine Hospital is a historic medical building at 20 Franklin Street in Charleston, South Carolina. Built 1831–33 to a design by Robert Mills, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973 for its association with Mills, and as a high-quality example of Gothic Revival architecture. The hospital was built as a public facility for the treatment of sick sailors and other transient persons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (St. Stephen, South Carolina)</span> Historic church in South Carolina, United States

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is a historic church located at 196 Brick Church Circle in St. Stephen, South Carolina. Built in the 1760s, it is one of a handful of surviving 18th-century brick parish churches in the state, with a number of architectural features not found on any other of the period. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Philip's Church (Charleston, South Carolina)</span> Historic church in South Carolina, United States

St. Philip's Church is an historic church at 142 Church Street in Charleston, South Carolina. Its National Historic Landmark description states: "Built in 1836, this stuccoed brick church features an imposing tower designed in the Wren-Gibbs tradition. Three Tuscan pedimented porticoes contribute to this design to make a building of the highest quality and sophistication." On November 7, 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince George Winyah Parish Church</span> Historic church in South Carolina, United States

Prince George Winyah Parish Church is an Anglican church in Georgetown, South Carolina. Prince George Winyah is one of the oldest continuous congregations in South Carolina, and the church building is one of the oldest churches in continuous service in South Carolina. Prince George Winyah (Anglican) and Churchyard was named to the National Register of Historic Places on May 6, 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Post Office and Courthouse (Charleston, South Carolina)</span> United States historic place

The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse is a historic post office and courthouse located at Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina. The building and its annexes serve the federal court for the Charleston Division of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old St. Andrew's Parish Church</span> Historic church in South Carolina, United States

Saint Andrew's Parish Church is located in Charleston, South Carolina, along the west side of the Ashley River. Built in 1706 it is the oldest surviving church building south of Virginia. Its historic graveyard dates from the church's establishment. Expanded in 1723 into the shape of a cross, the church is the only remaining colonial cruciform church in South Carolina. In 1973 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Old St. Andrew's, as it is commonly called, remains an active place of worship and is affiliated with the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina and the Anglican Church in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward C. Jones</span> American architect

Edward Culliatt Jones was an American architect from Charleston, South Carolina. A number of his works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, and two are further designated as U.S. National Historic Landmarks. His works include the following :

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broad Street (Charleston, South Carolina)</span> Street in Charleston, South Carolina

Broad Street is a street in Charleston, South Carolina. It is known for its wealth of historic resources as well as being on the American Planning Association (APA)'s list of "great streets". Broad Street is characterized by its historic architecture maintained through a history of persistent and scrupulous historic preservation. Broad Street today is a mix of residences, historic buildings, public uses, as well as restaurants and nightlife uses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina</span> Diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States

The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina (EDOSC), known as The Episcopal Church in South Carolina from January 2013 until September 2019, is a diocese of the Episcopal Church. The diocese covers an area of 24 counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The see city is Charleston, home to Grace Church Cathedral and the diocesan headquarters. The western portion of the state forms the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. As a diocese of the Episcopal Church, the Diocese of South Carolina is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and traces its heritage to the beginnings of Christianity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church</span> Church in South Carolina, United States

St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church is a historic African-American Anglican church in Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1906 and occupying a building built in 1850, the church is a member of the Reformed Episcopal Church's Diocese of the Southeast.

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. 1 2 "St. Michael's Church". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
  3. "Diocese Votes to Affiliate with the ACNA". The Anglican Diocese South Carolina. May 8, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "St. Michael's: An Historical Overview". St. Michael's Church. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  5. "A Brief History of St. Philip's Church, The Mother Church of The Diocese of South Carolina, Est. 1680". St. Philip's Church. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  6. South Carolina Department of Archives and History listing for Saint Michael's Episcopal Church
  7. "A Beautiful Memorial". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. April 9, 1898. p. 8.
  8. "Work at St. Michael's Done". No. Evening Post. Charleston, South Carolina. October 20, 1905. p. 1.
  9. "Do You Know Your Charleston?". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. August 5, 1935. p. 10.
  10. "St. Michael's Church Cited As A National Landmark". Evening Post. Charleston, South Carolina. December 15, 1961. p. B1.
  11. James Dillon (1978). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: St. Michael's Church" (PDF). National Park Service.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying two photos, exterior, from 1969  (32 KB)
  12. "St.Michael's Parish".
  13. "Anglican Church in North America". anglicanchurch.net. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  14. "Anglican Church in North America". anglicanchurch.net. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  15. Hunter, Joy. "Diocese of South Carolina - Diocese of South Carolina Received by the Anglican Church in North America". Diocese of South Carolina. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  16. 1 2 "Removed at Last". News and Courier. Charleston, SC. February 3, 1880. p. 4.
  17. "Whitechapel Bell Foundry".

Further reading