• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

Unitarian Church in Charleston

SC PICTURE PROJECT 5 Comments

SC Picture Project / Charleston County / Unitarian Church in Charleston

The Unitarian Church in Charleston is the second oldest church building in the Holy City (the oldest is St. Michael’s) and the oldest Unitarian church in the South. The congregation formed in 1772 when the Congregational Church, which at the time gathered in a frame meeting house (hence the name of the street where the church still gathers – Meeting Street), outgrew its small church.

Unitarian Cemetery

John Diskes of Summerville, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

A new church of the same denomination, referred to as the Society of Dissenters, was built to house the overflow. Construction on the new church on Archdale Street began that same year but was interrupted by the Revolutionary War. British soldiers stabled their horses within the incomplete church, while Patriot forces used it as a barracks. Construction resumed and was finished in 1787.

Unitarian Steeple

Doug Barnard of Charleston, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The two Congregational churches – also called Independent churches – initially operated as one, and two pastors alternately served both churches. In 1817 this church was chartered as the Second Independent Church, though its pastor, the Reverend Anthony Forster, was a Unitarian. In 1839 it was again chartered, this time as the Unitarian Church in Charleston. Forster’s successor was Dr. Samuel Gilman, a Harvard University alumnus who wrote the school’s alma mater, Fair Harvard. Dr. Gilman served the church from 1819 through 1858.

Unitarian Church, Charleston, Ceiling Detail

Nick Livingston of Charleston, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The church acquired its Perpendicular Gothic style in 1852 when architect Francis D. Lee remodeled the church in what was then considered “the new style.” Though Lee made several structural changes that significantly altered the church’s appearance, he worked around the building’s original walls and foundation. Lee, a member of the firm Jones and Lee, served as a major during the Civil War and also designed Kensington House in Eastover, the Colleton County Jail, the Orangeburg County Jail, and St Mark’s church in Pinewood. The church survived the Civil War, yet suffered damage during the earthquake of 1886. Thanks to the generous donations of Unitarians throughout the United States, the church was fully restored. Fortunately, the church was spared during Hurricane Hugo in 1989.

Unitarian Church

Dennis Church of Charleston, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The churchyard (below) is a point of interest, designed by Dr. Gilman’s wife, Caroline. Her idea was to create gardens of native plantings that were allowed to grow freely, mimicking spiritual growth of the church body. In fact, Ralph Waldo Emerson spoke from these gardens in 1827. The church invites visitors to quietly stroll the church grounds and appreciate the timeless beauty of the free-flowing nature that surrounds them.

Unitarian Graveyard

John Van Dalen of Charleston, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Unitarian Church in Charleston is listed in the National Register:

Begun in 1772, the church was gothicized by Francis D. Lee between 1852 and 1854. The building is a good statement of the emotional mood of the mid-nineteenth century when the romantic and picturesque were dominant not only in literature but also in building design. Of Gothic Revival design, the church has a crenellated four-story tower and lancet-arched windows. The main entrance is a Tudor arch, while the eighteen paned lancet arched main tower window has a crocketed hood mould. All windows in the west façade have hood moulds. The building is constructed of stuccoed brick and has false masonry buttresses. Lee designed the church’s interior to simulate that of the chapel of Henry VII at Westminster. The architect’s use of compound piers to “support” the ceiling and to divide the nave and the aisles is quite good and gives the arches an appearance of soaring to heights that they never reach physically. A great deal of Gothic tracery is used in balustrades and arches within the nave of the church.

Reflections on the Unitarian Church in Charleston


Sue Mixson, a long-time member of our Facebook group, shared the following about her experience with the church:

“I was the caretaker at the Unitarian Church from around 1979-81/82. I lived in the little cottage behind Gage Hall. The house is no longer there but was rebuilt and repurposed as a two story structure long after my time. On more than one occasion while doing minimal upkeep to the cemetery, I was often chastised by those walking through to leave it alone (including William Halsey). You are right that the unkempt appearance was by design. I loved my time there. During those years I had access to the church steeple. It’s my understanding that the steeple is now closed off due to its condition. There were many, many times that I would go up into the steeple at night (sometimes with friends) to enjoy the magnificent view of the Holy City. During the day, I would go into the tower, climb the 20+ish foot ladder, push open the little trap door and emerge outside on the very top of the steeple. Any time I now visit Charleston with friends, I take them through the churchyard and down Gateway Walk. Indeed, the Unitarian church yard is quite a treasure.”

More Pictures of the Unitarian Church


Seabrook Mikell Headstone

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Unitarian Church Downtown Charleston

Spencer Means of New York, NY, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Unitarian Window

Pamela Talbird of Charleston, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Unitarian Ceiling

Pamela Talbird of Charleston, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Unitarian Interior

Pamela Talbird of Charleston, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Unitarian Churchyard

Beth Brittain of Boone, NC, 2006 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Unitarian Church in Charleston

Where is Unitarian Church in Charleston located?
Address: 6 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401
GPS Coordinates: 32.778571,-79.934455
Website: http://www.charlestonuu.org
What else should I see?
St. John's Lutheran Church 0 mile
Charleston Library Society 0.2 mile
Tellis Pharmacy 0.2 mile
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist 0.3 mile
Show me more like this!
  • Charleston Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Churches
  • See other South Carolina National Register
    Unitarian Church in Charleston Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Circular Congregational ChurchCircular Congregational Church St. Philip's ChurchSt. Philip’s Church St. Matthews Church, CharlestonSt. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Charleston's French Huguenot ChurchFrench Huguenot Church Greek Orthodox CharlestonGreek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sandra Huisingh says

      June 23, 2019 at 11:34 PM

      My parents, William and Runette Jordan, were married at your beautiful church in October of 1944 by Rev.M. McKarl Nielsen. I am trying to get a picture of the church (outside) and one of the inside to share with my children and grandchildren. We live in California. Please advise if there is a way I could purchase the photos. Thank you, Sandra (Jordan) Huisingh

      Reply
      • SC Picture Project says

        June 25, 2019 at 5:07 PM

        Hello Sandra, is there any particular photo on the page you’re interested in? Most are linked back to the photographer who captured them. If you look underneath each photo, the photographer’s name is a link that takes you to his or her website, where you’re able to inquire about purchasing a print. We can gladly help you as well if you’re unable to do so. Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Don McAllister says

      July 22, 2017 at 5:59 AM

      What stunning architecture – and what a beautiful philosophy ! A perfect dream in which to offer worship. Would love to see picture of the whole of the church, both inside and out. My own Unitarian in Great Yarmouth, UK. is an airy, light sanctuary, built in 1954, on simple lines, after the original church was destroyed in WW2. Our church, Old Meeting, sends you its greetings.

      Reply
    3. Atty. Kevin Chadbourne Downs says

      January 18, 2017 at 6:55 PM

      Respectfully, Is your church available for a wedding on Saturday, May 6, 2017? Kind Regards, Kevin C. Downs

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        January 19, 2017 at 7:48 AM

        Hi, Kevin. The website for the church is above the map. Hopefully, someone there can answer your question. Best of luck!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved