The Holy City

Charleston, also called The Holy City, is known for its skyline of steeples—the oldest, St. Michael’s, which opened in 1761 and continues to hold regular worship and prayer services at its famed Broad Street location. Throughout Charleston, there are more than 400 houses of worship, which allow us to explore architecture, spirituality and the gathering of congregations.

St. Philip's Church

142 Church St. Year completed: 1723, although the congregation was founded in 1680 and is the oldest congregation in the United States south of Virginia. Denomination: Anglican Services: Sundays at 8:15 a.m. for a quiet and contemplative service and 10:30 a.m. for contemporary Principal Service; Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. for a contemporary communion service.

St. Michael’s Church

71 Broad St. Year completed: 1761, on the site of the first Anglican Church built in South Carolina. Denomination: Anglican. Services: Reflective worship service, 8 a.m. Sundays. Contemporary worship service, 10 a.m.

The Church of the Holy Communion

218 Ashley Ave. Year completed: The main portion of the present building was consecrated in 1855, although the Church of the Holy Communion was founded in 1848 as a pioneer of Anglo-Catholic parishes in the nation.

Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church

110 Calhoun St. Year completed: The current Gothic Revival building was built in 1891, although the congregation’s roots stem from enslaved and free African-Americans who first organized in 1791. Denomination: African Methodist Episcopal

The French Protestant Church

136 Church St. Year completed: The present Gothic Revival building and edifice was completed in 1845. Denomination: Independent Christian community, although shares historical links to the Presbyterian Church (Church of Scotland), Dutch Reformed and Lutheran Church. Services: Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

90 Hassell St. Year completed: 1840. The current building replaced the original synagogue, constructed in 1794, which was destroyed by fire. It is the second oldest synagogue building in the country and the oldest synagogue in continual use. Denomination: Reform Judaism