St. Philip’s Church and Cemetery: A walk through Charleston’s past

By Mark A. Leon

Whether you are a local or tourist you know the steeple of St Philip’s Church on Church Street in historic downtown Charleston.  It is one of the most recognizable aerial landmark in this city.  It is also situated between the Dock Street Theater and historic market.  It is a true landmark of Charleston history and decor.

It is also the final resting place of some of the most recognizable names in Charleston, South Carolina.  The cemetery is the final resting place for Pinckney, Gaillard, Rhett, Rutledge and John C. Calhoun.  For those history buffs out there, Charles Pinckney (1757-1824) was one of the original signers of the United States Constitution and Edward Rutledge (1749-1800) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence along with his many delegated and elected positions in state and federal government.

If you have not experienced the St. Philip’s Church and Cemetery up close, make sure this is part of your next planned trip to the Historic District of Charleston, SC

While you wait, here are some images of the grounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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7 Comments

  • The Church Street side with the drive under canopy and columns is my favorite.

  • Craig says:

    A must see spot in Charleston, SC.

  • christa watson says:

    A must see.Love the church and cenetary.

  • Katie O says:

    Visited the cemetery in February on vacation and took several pictures. When I got home, I noticed that I had an outline of an object that was not in the cemetery!
    Has anyone else had like stories? I’d be interested in seeing what others have seen.

  • Mercedes Doré says:

    Is there a list of those buried in the cemetery available for viewing online or on request?

  • Mary Walker Kehl says:

    My 2nd great grandfather John Falls Walker is I terred there

  • Joel Hammond says:

    My Ancestor’s tombstone is listed in Tombstone Inscriptions from Charleston Churchyards- Marcel (p.228) as located in St. Phillips Epis West -Churchyard. It is located between Abigail Phillips & W. Leary and basically today hard to read. “Sacred to the memory of John Carnighan (?) a native of Baltimore Aged 42 years and 2 months. He is listed in Church Directory as from Ireland and there is the City of Baltimore in South Ireland, but could be Maryland. His son and grandson, both harbor pilots, were CSA Captain’s during Civil War and resigned to become privateers and captured running the Charleston blockade and sent as prisoners to Ft. Warren, NJ till end of War. Grandson buried in Charleston Magnolia Cemetery, son in Magnolia Cemetery Augusta, GA.

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