St. Michael’s Church

Have you ever heard of the Four Corners of Law? Here at the intersection of Broad and Meeting Streets, St. Michael’s Church stands as a testament to ecclesiastical law. St. Michael’s Church is the oldest surviving religious structure in Charleston. Built between 1751 and 1761, it replaced a wooden church originally built by St. Philip’s Church. The church’s design, possibly influenced by St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, features a striking two-story portico. This portico, with its Tuscan columns, was the first of its size in colonial America. St. Michael’s Church has witnessed key moments in American history. During the Revolutionary War, its steeple was painted black to make it less visible to the enemy. British troops even stole the church bells, which were later returned. The Civil War left its mark too, with Union shells damaging the chancel. Inside, evidence of this bombardment can still be seen. St. Michael’s Church has also welcomed notable figures. Both George Washington and Robert E. Lee worshipped within its walls. The adjacent churchyard is the final resting place of hundreds, including two signers of the U.S. Constitution, John Rutledge and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. These two South Carolinians played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s early legal framework. Today, St. Michael’s Church continues to serve as a place of worship. It stands as a reminder of Charleston’s rich history and its enduring connection to faith and law.