Take Me to Church

Historic churches often find themselves at the nexus of preservation and innovation. Some stand as stalwart symbols of architectural mastery and cultural heritage, while others get a new life as trendy hot spots. Either way, these former churches are worth a visit.

What was once Little River Methodist Church is now The Parson’s Table, a farm-to-table restaurant in Little River renowned for its excellent wine list. The 1885 building contains most of the original hand-sawed lumber and salvaged materials from other decommissioned churches across the South.

The Harriott Pinckney Home for Sailors and the Church of Christ the Redeemer, circa 1916, was once a haven for sailors who needed a cheap place to sleep. Today, it’s home to Church & Union, a New American cuisine restaurant across from Charleston’s open-air market. The building combines original elements, such as the stunning stained-glass windows, with contemporary art and décor.

Built between 1745 and 1753, the Prince William’s Parish Church was rebuilt and burned twice. Today, the Old Sheldon Church Ruins in Yemassee stands in a grove of ancient live oaks. Colonel and South Carolina acting governor (1738–1744) William Bull is buried here, as are many unnamed locals.

Constructed in 1740 for parishioners who couldn’t travel to Beaufort, see the Chapel of Ease Ruins on St. Helena Island. This Anglican chapel is an excellent example of tabby construction, but it was abandoned when planters left the island in 1861 and later burned in a forest fire in 1886.

Carefully built to the specifications of the original Upper Room in Jerusalem, the Upper Room Chapel in Fort Mill is open to anyone looking for a peaceful place to pray or meditate.

Built during the Reconstruction era by formerly enslaved people, the First African Baptist Church in Beaufort touts a Carpenter Gothic style (a house carpenter’s improvisation of Gothic architecture), and attendees included politician Robert Smalls.

The simple Old Stone Church in Clemson is built of field stone and is architecturally significant because of its masonry adaptation of a traditional meeting house design. The adjoining cemetery holds the remains of many prominent South Carolinians, including Andrew Pickens, a former U.S. Congressman.

Featuring a variety of great stories and exciting trip ideas, the 2025 South Carolina Vacation Guide makes planning your next getaway to the Palmetto State easy. Request your free copy or download the guide today.