Adventure Sightseeing
Charleston best city bus and plantation tours
Historic Houses of Worship in Charleston/Downtown
When you look out over the Charleston skyline, you see a horizon dotted with steeples and palmetto trees. With over 400 places of worship of different denominations throughout the city and a long history of religious tolerance, it's easy to see why Charleston truly is "The Holy City."
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Cathedral of St. John The Baptist
Built between 1890 and 1907. Sat. 5:30pm Vigil Mass | Sun. 9am-Family Mass 11:15am-Solemn Mass with Choir 6pm-Mass | Daily Mass (Mon-Fri) 12:05pm
Circular Congregation Church
Open to visitors when tour guides available. Organized in 1681. The Circular Church established the first Sunday School in South Carolina. Sunday services: 8:30am, 11am
First (Scots) Presbyterian Church
Organized in 1731 by Caledonian immigrants. Present church built in 1841, displaying the seal of the Church of Scotland in window over main entrance. Sunday 8:45am and 11:15am
First Baptist Church
Sunday services: 8:45am worship 9:45am Bible school 11am worship 6:30pm vesper service. First Baptist Church is the oldest Baptist Church in the South, founded in 1682.
Grace Church Cathedral (Episcopal)
Built in 1846, Grace Church Cathedral has one of the four English Changing Ringing (bell ringing) towers in the city. Tours may be arranged in advance.
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue
Offering tours, Judaic gift shop and museum. The fourth oldest synagogue in the US and the oldest in continuous use. The birthplace of American Reform Judaism in 1824.
Morris Brown AME Church
Morris Brown was a pastor who escaped hanging from the Denmark Vessey slave rebellion. Continues a tradition of community involvement & social action. Sunday 8am service
Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church
In 1791, the Free African Society was formed as the Bethel Circuit. Reorganized in 1865 and present building erected in 1891. Oldest AME church in the south. Sunday 9:30am
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church
First brick church building owned by Blacks in Charleston. The 54th & 55th Massachusetts regiments worshiped here while stationed in Charleston. Service: Sun-10am 843.722.8118
Saint John's Lutheran Church
Mother church of Lutherans in SC. Founded by German immigrants in 1734. Originally built in 1759 and replaced in 1817. Handicapped accessible on Sunday, weekdays by request.
Saint Mark's Episcopal Church
Founded Easter Day, 1865 WEEKLY SERVICE: Sunday Holy Eucharist 10:00 a.m.
Saint Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church
Oldest Catholic Parish in the southeastern United States. Established in 1789. Sunday Mass - 9am | Weekday Masses are 8am Mon-Th.
St. Johannes Lutheran Church
Open to visitors M-Th 10-4. “An architectural gem in the heart of historic Ansonborough”, built in 1842. Current congregation was founded in 1878 and conducted worship in German until 1910. In 1913 the Art Memorial Stained Glass Windows were dedicated.
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
Founded in 1840. Open for tours from 11am - 3pm every weekday with a trained docent. Services - Sunday 8:30am and 11am.
St. Michael's Church
Oldest church built in the city. Built in 1761. George Washington worshipped here during his tour of the South in 1791. Different services all week.
St. Philip’s Church
Estab. in 1670. Mother Church of the Province and known as the lighthouse. Famous historical figures buried here. Services Su 8:15am and 10:30am | Morning Prayer: Wed. 8am
The Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul
One of oldest two Episcopal / Anglican Cathedrals in US. Su 7:45am-Holy Eucharist 9:15am-Contemporary Eucharist 11am-Choral Eucharist | M-F 8:30am-Morning Prayer
The French Protestant (Huguenot) Church
Current church built in 1844-45. French Huguenots, starting in 1687, fleeing France to avoid religious persecution, were worshipping in a church on this site. Sunday- 10:30am
The Old Bethel Methodist Church
Formerly Bethel Methodist Church. Dedicated in 1798 to accommodate the expanding congregation of the Blue Meeting House. Present church built in 1852. Open to public.
The Second Presbyterian Church
Oldest building of this faith in historic section of Charleston. Built in 1809. Services- Sun. 10am 11:15am
The Unitarian Church
Founded in 1772. Services- Sanctuary 11am | Forums- begin at 10am, Gage Hall. Tours available mid September - mid June, Saturday 10am-1pm and 2nd Sunday of each month 12-3pm.
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