St. Michael's Episcopal Church

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church is Charleston’s oldest and most recognized church, established in 1752 on Meeting St. in the historic district. The structure stands on the site that St. Phillips Church first stood in the 1680’s. St. Phillips was originally constructed for the families of the Church of England. The church became too small of a facility, incapable of accommodating the growing congregation. After St. Phillips moved to a new location on Church St, the General Assembly of the Province approved the plan for constructing the new church. By 1761 St. Michael’s opened their doors to the public. The structure boasts a 186 foot steeple topped with a 7 ½ foot-long weathervane. In May of 1791 President George Washington worshiped with fellow Charlestonians in the churches double pew, also known as “The Governer’s Pew.” Some seventy years later the church would also welcome General Robert E. Lee to their services. The stained glass that decorates the colonial interior originates back to the 1800’s. The original organ, made in London, was installed in 1786 and the clock tower, imported from England in1764, still rings its eight bells and is perhaps the oldest colonial clock tower in use today.