Calvary Church

Why was Calvary Episcopal Church once the target of a furious mob? We’re standing before Calvary Church today, but its original location was just a block away. Established in 1847, Calvary Episcopal Church was built for Charleston’s African American community, both free and enslaved, in a time of deep racial segregation. The first services were held in the basement of St. Philip’s parsonage and later moved to Temperance Hall while their church was being built. The new church, designed in the Early Classical Revival style, was nearing completion in 1849 when tensions erupted. A riot at the nearby Work House, a jail primarily for enslaved people, saw prisoners briefly escape. The following day, a mob formed, intent on destroying Calvary Church. They saw it as a symbol of Black independence, a dangerous precedent in their eyes. The church’s very existence challenged the established order. But the mob was stopped by James L. Petigru, a Charleston lawyer known for defending free people of color. He bravely stood before them, arguing for the church’s preservation. Calvary Church was consecrated later that year. It thrived, becoming a spiritual and educational center, boasting one of the city’s largest Sunday school programs. However, the 20th century brought new challenges. Shifting demographics and pressure from the Housing Authority forced Calvary Church to relocate to its current location on Line Street in 1940. Sadly, the original building was demolished in 1961. But Calvary Church’s spirit lives on, a testament to its resilient community and the enduring power of faith.