St. Michael's Church
St. Michael's Church
4.5
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
About
Charleston's oldest church has been tolling its bells on the hour since 1764. Dynamic Downtown Worship in the Anglican Tradition
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Neighbourhood: Charlestowne
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4.5
831 reviews
Excellent
611
Very good
193
Average
19
Poor
3
Terrible
5
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,498 contributions
Sept 2021
St. Michael's Episcopal Church is a National Historic Landmark and the oldest surviving religious structure in Charleston, South Carolina. Located at 71 Broad Street in downtown Charleston, at Broad and Meeting streets on one of the Four Corners of Law, it was built between 1751 and 1761 on the site of a wooden church that dated to 1681. Although the architect's name is unknown, the type of architecture follows the tradition of Sir Christoper Wren that was generally used during the Colonial period and up to the Gothic revival in 1841. The altar is close to the congregation in a shallow recess with the choir and organ in the rear. A gallery on three sides brings more people closer to the center of worship. The pulpit is the original, remarkable for its size and supported by two Corinthian columns. The Victorian altar dates to 1892. Two stained glass windows in the north aisle were presented to the church in 1897 and 1908. The church houses a clock and change ringing bells dating to Colonial times. It is thought to be the oldest functioning Colonial tower clock in the country. The bells were cast in 1764 and recast in 1866. George Washington and Robert E. Lee worshipped in the church. Two signers of the U.S. Constitution, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and John Rutledge, are buried in the adjacent Churchyard. St. Michael's was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
Written 14 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tangi1
Elizabeth, NJ761 contributions
Apr 2021
Tiffany stained glass and the marked pew where George Washington and Robert E Lee worshiped are the highlights. The pulpit is raised which when you stand at President Washington's pew you are just about eye level. No upward neck straining as in the front pews. Impeccably clean and well kept.
Written 16 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trudy C
Deep Gap, NC3 contributions
Sept 2022
We enjoyed this visit so much. The senior minister greeted us at the front door and walked with us to the Parish Hall to a Welcome Time with doughnuts and lemonade! The worship service was inspiring and filled with amazing music and a memorable, thoughtful sermon. We asked about sitting in a "pew cube" as we had during a previous visit (our granddaughters remembered vividly) and were graciously escorted to it.
Written 6 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane H
Athens, AL157 contributions
Nov 2020
St. Michael's Church is absolutely beautiful. My friend and I toured the church as part of a private walking tour. The tour guide showed us the pew in the front where George Washington, Robert E. Lee, and Prince Charles of Wales had all sat.
Written 12 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue9832
Peoria, AZ153 contributions
May 2021
The tour of St. Michael's was very special. George Washington attended here in the early 1790's, and his pew #43 is marked. It's a beautiful church with historic bells. Thank you, St. Michaels tour guides!
Written 7 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert44
The Woodlands, TX407 contributions
June 2021
The church and its grave yard are very interesting. George Washington, Robert E Lee and Lady Di all worshipped here once. I love the look of the historic pews with doors. Two signers of the constitution are buried here as well as a distant relative of mine.
Written 24 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
THINGS2LIVE4
Rocky River, OH2,672 contributions
June 2024 • Family
Historic Church’s are the best things in Charleston. Church’s in the deep American South are unique. The pew designs are different and more comfortable than other parts of the country. People of any denomination can come and worship or just look around.
Written 14 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
Middlesbrough, UK2,381 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Charming church in easy reach when walking from the cruise port. Set back from the port area, the church is a real delight to view. My wife and I were in the area so we took the opportunity to pop in to admire the church.
Written 7 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
In50by50
New Berlin, WI655 contributions
July 2021
Just stop in in to see this classic (sorry neo-classic) Episcopal church. A beautiful sanctuary, huge lectern and sun catching stained glass. Walk through the old (and new) cemetery on your way.
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cruiser298229
9 contributions
Apr 2022
If you love Tiffany glass do not miss this beautiful place. But the real surprise is the water fountain just inside in the graveyard entrance. It may be the sweetest tasting water I have ever experienced. Drink deep!
Written 24 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be traveling by car. Do you have parking at your Church?
Written 26 September 2016
I visited by car they have plenty of meter parking 30 minutes is 50 cent. Just take change with you, nobody around had quarters.
Written 2 October 2016
What are the Sunday worship hours? We will be at Spoleto the first weekend of June and expect to attend St Michaels on June 5.
Written 4 May 2016
This morning's service was deeply moving with a superbly reflective sermon. What a pity that it was then ruined by the homophobic announcement at the end and the hateful pamphlet we were told to read as we left. Please understand that this is as offensive to us gay people as flying the Confederate flag would be to your black (and many of your white) visitors. This Church has a long way to go before it can truly bear witness to God's presence and love. I left feeling that I had been duped by a hypocritical clergy and the welcome in your church now turned completely sour. Do you really believe that this kind of attitude is what God wants of us?
Written 29 June 2015
Pat, how would you feel if you were told on leaving a church that women were not entitled to the same rights of marriage as men? Variety is the spice of life?? I think not. My point was about hurtfulness and how it clashed with the message of reconciliation given in the sermon. Especially in a week when the US had just achieved a major advance in recognising human equality and in a city where the results of prejudiced thinking had just been so brutally revealed. But don't worry, we won't be going back so you can preserve your exclusivity unhindered.
Written 20 August 2015
This is NOT an Episcopal Church...please change your name to something else.
Written 22 December 2014
This is NOT an Episcopal church. St. Michael's, along with most of the former Episcopal churches in the eastern half of SC abandoned the Episcopal church formally in fall of 2012. As of now, there are ongoing lawsuits between the parishes that left and the larger Episcopal church. The breakaway churches have not been recognized by the Worldwide Anglican Communion.
Written 16 February 2015
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