The first brownstone cathedral in Charleston was built in 1854 and named the Cathedral of Saint John and Saint Finbar. It burned in a great fire in December 1861. The rebuilt cathedral was named for St. John the Baptist and was constructed on the foundations of the earlier structure. Architect Patrick Keely designed both the original cathedral and its replacement.

Within the town limits of Charleston there are hundreds of Churches and Cathedrals. Starting in the early 1700’s the city was one of the first stops for any people escaping religious persecution.

When walking around town we always look to see which church has an open door for visitors. We have actually been photographing churches longer than wildlife.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Charleston, South Carolina