May 16, 2014 - Part 14

And here's the church building. First Scots Presbyterian Church, the fifth oldest church in Charleston, was constructed in 1814. Its design was perhaps inspired by St. Mary's Cathedral in Baltimore, Maryland designed by Benjamin Latrobe. Latrobe was the first professionally trained American architect, best known for designing the United States Capitol. The massive brick Presbyterian Church has walls that are three feet thick and covered with stucco. Twin towers rise above a columned portico. Reflecting the heritage of the congregation, the seal of the Church of Scotland is displayed in the stained glass window over the main entrance, and the decorative wrought iron grilles contain thistles, the symbol of Scotland. First Scots replaced the congregation's first church, a frame building previously located in the southeast corner of the graveyard. The graveyard contains more than 50 stones that date earlier than 1800.

St. Philip's Episcopal Church houses the oldest congregation in South Carolina and was the first Anglican church established south of Virginia. This church is the third building to house the congregation, which was formed by Charles Town colonists. The first church, built in 1681, was a small wooden building located at the present site of St. Michael's Episcopal Church.

St. Michael's Episcopal Church is one of the finest Colonial American churches in the country and the oldest church in Charleston. Although the architect is unknown, the church was built between 1752 and 1761 and resembles 18th-century English pattern book examples widely used throughout the colonies. It is similar in many respects to London's St. Martin-in-the-Fields, designed by James Gibbs.

The Huguenot Church, also called the French Huguenot Church or the French Protestant Church, is a Gothic Revival church building.  The congregation it serves traces its origins to the 1680s, and is the only independent Huguenot church in the United States.  It has an interesting history which you can read about on wikipedia.

Oddly enough, I got a picture of the First Baptist Church sign but not the building.  :)  It's the oldest Baptist Church in the South.

May 16, 2014 - Part 13

 This may seem odd, but I like old cemeteries.  We found many graves dating back to the 1700s.

This cemetery was beside a Presbyterian church founded in 1731.

That's our friends found between the branches of the crepe myrtle.

May 16, 2014 - Part 12

 More beautiful ironwork.

May 16, 2014 - Part 11

 It was such a joy to walk around the city and peek over the beautiful walls into secret gardens.

May 16, 2014 - Part 10

 Can you imagine that even the doors are interesting?!  :)

May 16, 2014 - Part 9

 Loved all the fountains too.

May 16, 2014 - Part 8

I loved all the color in this city!

May 16, 2014 - Part 7

 Porches, balconies, and gorgeous entryways galore!