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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8 thoughts on “St. Philip’s Church and Cemetery: A walk through Charleston’s past”

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

    1. John, I am Rev Ronald Philip Carnighan (Ret) 74, NC. Your reply in this post refers to my 2nd and 3rd grandfather. I have visited this same cemetery. There is a story, and a somewhat sad story of the Carnighan lineage at the end of the war and during reconstruction, a terrible and viscous time, John Carnighan, (Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston), had married and had a son in 1863, John Frederick Carnighan. His wife Rose Ann (McElheran) Carnighan, migrated west with so many other Southerners into what had been the confederate territories west of TX ( following General Shelby’s sojourn west, another story). I am a direct descendent of the John Frederick Carnighan. He was my great grandfather, and for a short time a deputy Marshall in Tombstone, 1884 -86 timeframe. My grandfather was born in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, Enough for now, Hope you will find interest in our connection.
      Peace & Grace
      >
      R
      RonPhilipC1@outlook.com
      Advbiomed@icloud.com

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