I don’t have a bucket list, but if I did it would include being inside Strawberry by myself. I really want to shoot here. Had a date too, the virus screwed that up.
I have published photographs before, and have some new ones to work on.
Before I publish anything I want to get the history here written down. This small ‘Chapel Of Ease’ has seen it all, and is still here.
Built in 1750 this is the oldest surviving church in Charleston.
St. Michael’s sits on one of the ‘four corners of law’ and represents ecclesiastical law. The other corners are the country courthouse, city hall, and federal courthouse. All are 200+ years old and listed on the various national registries.
This building survived both the Revolutionary and Civil War.
The stained glass windows include works by the famous Tiffany Studios.
The church grave yard contains a long list of major US historical figures include signers of the US Constitution. Charleston was one of the wealthiest cities before the Civil War and all the church’s in town reflect this.
This series of photographs were in shot March 2020.
Also on this web site are similar articles presenting many of the other historical churches in Charleston and the surrounding area.
In the 1680’s the Huguenot’s, Protestants, fled Catholic France as their rights were stripped by King Louis XIV. A group came to Charleston and founded this church in 1685. The first church was built and set the boundaries for the Charleston French Quarter. Today the quarter is one of the most popular tourist areas here.
The current building was completed in 1844.
The sanctuary is smaller than some of the other old churches in town, but to me this is probably the most beautiful.
Other than Sunday services visits are limited to a few days in the spring and fall. The only way I have been able to photograph this landmark is when I pass by and stumble on an open door day.
Constructed 1751 – 1761.
Tiffany and Company stained glass windows.
The oldest surviving church in Charleston.
National Historic Register.
St. Michael’s, Meeting Street, Charleston.
The view from both sides.
The first taken from the second floor of the Nathaniel Russel House.
The view from the staircase, an old church yard.
Below is looking towards the window, from the grave yard of the First Scots Presbyterian Church, Meeting Street, Charleston .
The church yard was shot about a week after the Russel House.
Shady Grove is a United Methodist Campground church meeting grounds. Similar to the Cypress and Indian Field sights. However Shady Grove was founded after the Civil War in 1870. The others are older, from the late 1700’s.
As with other Methodist Campgrounds meetings (revivals) are still held each year.
Shady Grove is on land given to a group of newly freed African American slaves in exchange for help harvesting a rice plantation.
Shady Grove has a history of troubles. In 1958, 1969, and 1978 the buildings were destroyed by fire. In 1991 the camp was rebuilt and is now the largest of their kind.
Click image to view full size.
The Methodist Campgrounds have been the source for numerous articles here.
To view additional Campgrounds please click the ‘Tag’ below marked Camp. The articles will be displayed…enjoy it’s a fascinating trip.
From the wall plaque with the window.
In Memory Of Louis DeSaussure
Native of Beaufort district, an officer of 3rd Regiment South Carolina in the Continental Service during the war of the revolution.
Wounded 9th Day, October, 1779 on the British lines at Savannah. Died a few days after.
Age 31, interred in the cemetery of this church.
Many of the early churches in Charleston have old plaques placed by family members and parishioners. Some names are locally known, some are signers of the US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, or other founding fathers.
A walk around town is a history lesson. While locked down I can’t help thinking perhaps if some of our current administration had wandered around here things might have turned out a bit different.
Trying to get the light and color correct.
Click image to enlarge, best viewed full screen.
