Lowcountry

The Morris Island Lighthouse will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a community celebration at Bowen’s Island on Sunday, October 18, 2026, bringing together food, art and Lowcountry history for an afternoon honoring one of the region’s iconic landmarks.

Doors open at 2 p.m. Guests will enjoy a traditional Lowcountry Boil, barbecue, sides, wine, beer and soft drinks, along with fun freebies and commemorative keepsakes.

The celebration will also unveil the 150th Anniversary Art Contest gallery, featuring entries from artists of all ages. Winners in the adult and children’s divisions will be announced, while guests can participate in the People’s Choice Contest and vote for their favorite submission.

🎟️ Tickets

Tickets are available exclusively through Save the Light.

👉 Purchase tickets here: https://savethelight.org/150th-anniversary-celebration/

Come celebrate 150 years of history, community and the Morris Island Lighthouse at Bowen’s Island.

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By Mark A. Leon

A familiar address on Charleston’s King Street has taken on a new identity as The Lowline Hotel, a 197-room lifestyle property that marks the arrival of the JdV by Hyatt brand in South Carolina.

Located at 560 King Street, the hotel is a full renovation and reimagining of the former Hyatt Place Charleston/Historic District. Highline Hospitality Partners acquired the property, along with the adjacent Hyatt House Charleston Historic District, in November 2024 and undertook the transformation as part of a broader vision for the prominent King Street corridor. 

The Lowline officially opened in July 2026, positioning the property as a more design-forward, neighborhood-oriented hotel intended to connect visitors with Charleston’s historic character while offering a contemporary hospitality experience. 

The renovation represents a significant change from the property’s previous identity. Rather than simply refreshing the existing hotel, the project involved a full gut renovation and reconceptualization of the ground-level amenity spaces.

Architecture, Incorporated served as Architect of Record, working with Ealain Studio on the hotel’s rebranding and renovation. The design draws on Charleston’s maritime history, coastal trade winds, gardens and historic architecture. Throughout the property, rich navy tones, warm wood, brass accents and custom textiles create a more residential and intimate atmosphere. Ealain Studio says the 197 guestrooms and suites were designed to blend contemporary forms with subtle retro influences and references to Charleston’s natural landscape. 

At street level, the transformation is particularly visible. The new hotel includes a courtyard, bar, coffee bar and retail area, along with Leeward, its restaurant and bar. Guests can also use an indoor pool, fitness center, event spaces and The Long Game, a golf simulator lounge with large-screen televisions and access to food and cocktails. 

Leeward adds a distinctly Lowcountry element to the property, serving dishes such as shrimp and grits, crab dip and pimento cheese alongside cocktails. The restaurant and outdoor spaces are designed not only for overnight guests but also to create gathering places along King Street. 

The hotel’s name is closely tied to Charleston’s evolving urban landscape. The property sits near the planned Lowcountry Lowline, a roughly 1.6-mile linear park and multi-use trail project intended to transform an existing transportation corridor into a new public space. The Lowline Hotel’s location places it at what developers describe as the southern end of this broader revitalization area. 

The adjacent Hyatt House has also received targeted updates to its guestrooms and public spaces, creating a complementary hospitality presence on the block.

For Charleston, the project represents another step in the continued evolution of King Street as a destination for hotels, restaurants, retail and entertainment. The Lowline Hotel’s JdV by Hyatt identity gives the former Hyatt Place property a distinctly different role—one centered less on being simply a place to stay and more on creating spaces where visitors and locals can gather, dine and experience downtown Charleston.

With its combination of renovated guestrooms, new dining and social spaces, and a design rooted in the city’s coastal identity, The Lowline Hotel is adding another layer to the ongoing transformation of one of Charleston’s most active downtown corridors.

The Lowline Hotel
560 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403

The Lowline Hotel at Hyatt

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Photo credit: Architecture Incorporated

By Mark A Leon

Virginia Shaffer’s journey from travel management to oyster sommelier is a coastal coming-of-age story rooted in craftsmanship, storytelling, and a deep sense of community and place. In a conversation with Charleston Daily about her new book, Oyster Society, Shaffer reflects on the experiences that shaped her career and the people who taught her that oysters are more than just food—they’re a bridge between waters, workers, and the memories we carry home. Through oral storytelling, immersive experiences, and the beauty of the natural landscape, Shaffer creates meaningful moments that stay with her guests long after the experience ends.

The spark came on a wind-swept Maine shoreline, where Shaffer led a six-night seafood retreat that brought together cooking classes, farm tours, fishing trips, and conversations around the table. Guests left with more than full stomachs; they left with a deeper connection to the food, the people, and the places behind it. It was there that Shaffer discovered her calling: translating complex marine ecosystems into stories anyone could appreciate and taste. At the heart of her work is a commitment to highlighting the people behind the product and the natural environments that give each oyster its distinctive character. As she puts it, “Taste appreciation is a combination of natural environments and the efforts of our oyster growers. Our job is to give our guests the full context of the story that defines “merroir.”

Oyster Society brings that purpose to life. Each chapter unfolds like an essay with its own distinct voice, introducing chefs who credit the producers behind their ingredients, restoration leaders working to revive lost species and foodways, and shuckers whose precision and nerve transform a demanding craft into a ritual. A central theme emerges throughout: an oyster’s origin matters just as much as the technique used to prepare it. By weaving these perspectives together, Shaffer creates a collective portrait of food systems as people systems, reminding readers that respect for the source is the first ingredient.

Her profiles reach beyond accolades to capture the realities of the work: dawn harvests in biting winds, the unpredictability of Mother Nature, the community partnerships needed to protect clean waters, and the choreography of shucking, where speed must never come at the expense of care. In Shaffer’s telling, flavor is geography you can taste. She explores merroir—the ocean’s answer to terroir—revealing how salinity, phytoplankton, minerals, and nearby marshes or eelgrass beds shape an oyster’s distinctive character. From the minerality of a clay-bottom farm to the bright, vegetal notes of a sheltered cove, every harvest captures a moment in place and time. “Every oyster is a little vintage, like wine of its home water,” she says, “and when opened, it tells us a story.”

She invites readers to slow down at the raw bar: smell the oyster’s aromatics first, sip the brine, and fully chew the oyster to release flavors.

Charleston Connection

Charleston stands out as a place where tradition and innovation share the same table. Shaffer celebrates the Lowcountry’s steamed-oyster heritage—rooted in family gatherings, tonged reefs, and Gullah culture—alongside a newer wave of aquaculture that improves water quality and expands access. She’s clear-eyed about the balance: farms can supercharge clarity and habitat conditions but don’t replace the human effort required to rebuild wild reefs. That duality feels rare and instructive—reverence for history paired with practical methods that sustain the future. 

In kitchens across the city, she sees chefs writing menus that honor both lanes: raw-bar flights named for the creeks they came from, humble roasts that echo the communal tables of decades past. On the water, farmers experiment with gear heights and rotations to tune texture and cup depth—micro-decisions that ripple into mouthfeel and finish.

Beneath the science and policy is a deep-rooted passion for hospitality. Shaffer has a clear vision of what she hopes guests will take away from her experiences: first, a lasting memory; second, a story worth sharing; and third, a meaningful lesson that stays with them. This philosophy reflects her belief that wonder is the gateway to learning and that sensory experiences allow people to connect with oysters in their own way. The goal is to create an experience that is felt before it is analyzed, remembered before it is recited.

At her events, a “gateway” oyster—broiled with chili butter and mild cheese—offers a welcoming introduction for skeptical palates, gently guiding newcomers toward the vibrant flavors of raw oysters and the subtle nuances of their origins. Shaffer pairs each tasting with a story: a farmer’s first season, a cove’s shifting currents, or a restoration crew’s early-morning work. In doing so, she transforms tasting notes into human stories, connecting each bite to the people and places behind it.

In Charleston’s docks and dining rooms, Shaffer sees a living classroom. From the festivals that first sparked her imagination to the shorelines where wild and farmed oysters coexist and the kitchens where creativity meets responsibility, the Lowcountry offers an endless source of inspiration. Her mission is to continue amplifying these voices, helping diners recognize the ecosystem, craftsmanship, and community behind every oyster.

Heart of Oyster Society

For Shaffer, the oyster is a reminder of the importance of listening—to the land and water, to one another, and to ourselves. Within that simple act lies a deeper invitation: to see taste as a map, community as its legend, and every shell, once opened, as an opportunity to connect and belong. When we understand the story, we savor the season; when we honor the source, we help nourish the future.

Click HERE to learn more about Virginia and purchase Oyster Society.

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The College of Charleston continues its efforts to partner with a diverse group of community members to help guide the commemoration and development efforts of Coming Street Commons, a planned student residence hall at 106 Coming St. in downtown Charleston. 

The Community Engagement Council (CEC) will reconvene at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026,for further discussion and collaboration. 

The meeting will be held at the Alumni Center, School of Education, 86 Wentworth St., Charleston. (Please enter through the courtyard on St. Philip St.) 

 Virtual Meeting Link

The CEC plays a central role in supporting the College’s efforts in honoring and memorializing both the former potter’s field and the former YWCA, providing insight and feedback on potential events and interpretative approaches to the commemoration efforts associated with this project.  

Those interested in the project can read a list of frequently asked questions and answers on the project website and join the mailing list at the bottom of the Get Involved webpage. 

Following the Oct. 1 meeting, the next CEC meeting is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2026. In addition, the Coming Street Commemorative Gathering is planned for Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. Information on meetings and the gathering can be found on the CEC page. 

Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston’s mission is to provide students with a world-class education in the arts and sciences, business and technology, engineering and health sciences. Students have more than 150 majors and minors from which to choose — and they often choose to combine several—and complement their academic courses with overseas study, undergraduate research and internships for a truly customized education.

Nearly 12,000 students choose the college for its unique urban, mid-sized university feel. The College, home to undergraduates from across the country and around the globe, provides a creative and intellectually stimulating environment where students are challenged and guided by a committed and caring faculty of distinguished teacher-scholars. The city of Charleston serves as a living and learning laboratory for student experiences and opportunities for career development. The university bridges the old with the new in a setting that is truly extraordinary — where historic character and forward-looking innovation come together to shape a distinctive and inspiring environment for learning. A College of Charleston education focuses on discovery and personal growth, as well as preparation for life, work, and service to our society.

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Southern Screams: MACABRE – September 25 – November 7, 2026

Holy City Brewing | 1021 Aragon Ave., North Charleston

Something dark has arrived in North Charleston.

Southern Screams returns for the 2026 Halloween season with “MACABRE,” an all-new immersive haunted house experience at Holy City Brewing. This year, guests are invited beyond the polished plaques and velvet ropes of Museum Macabreo — a twisted collection where cursed relics, forgotten objects and something far more sinister have been brought together.

The story centers around The Curator, whose latest discovery has awakened something that may have been better left forgotten. As guests make their way through the museum, the exhibits begin to feel less like artifacts and more like living nightmares.

Southern Screams runs on select nights from September 25 through November 7, bringing elaborate sets, theatrical characters, special effects and an immersive walk-through experience to the Park Circle area of North Charleston. The attraction covers more than 4,000 square feet and features winding hallways, rooms and outdoor areas designed to keep guests guessing about what comes next.

THE AWAKENING

Before the haunted house opens each night, the creatures of Southern Screams emerge for The Awakening, a free pre-show ritual where monsters invade the crowd outside the attraction. Guests can take photos, interact with characters and experience the chaos before entering the haunted house.

CHOOSE YOUR LEVEL OF FEAR

General Admission provides entry into the haunted house, with advance online tickets starting at $20.99 on non-peak nights.

For those looking to spend less time waiting and more time screaming, R.I.P. Access includes expedited entry, access to an exclusive lounge with photo opportunities and characters, and a 10% merchandise discount.

The Behind the Screams experience goes even further, adding a guided backstage tour, an opportunity to meet the creators, a Q&A, unlimited re-entry that evening and a commemorative Southern Screams T-shirt.

LIGHTS OUT

On November 6 and 7, Southern Screams turns the lights off.

During Lights Out!, guests navigate the haunted house with nothing but a lantern to guide them through the darkness.

HALLOWEEN FOR THE LITTLE GHOULS

Southern Screams is also offering something new for families this year.

On Halloween night, October 31, from 5–6 p.m., Trick-or-Treat Night will feature a lights-on walkthrough, friendly characters, photo opportunities, treat stops and a reusable Halloween tote bag for each trick-or-treater.

BEFORE YOU GO

Southern Screams is designed as an intense haunted-house experience and is not recommended for children under 13. Guests should expect strobe lights, fog, haze, sudden loud noises, air blasts, darkness and other intense effects. Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended because portions of the experience include outdoor areas, grass and gravel.

The attraction is located at Holy City Brewing in North Charleston’s Park Circle neighborhood, where guests can grab food and drinks while waiting in Southern Screams’ virtual queue.

So gather your bravest friends, leave your fear of the dark at home and step inside the museum.

Just remember: at Southern Screams, the exhibits may be watching you.

📍 Holy City Brewing
1021 Aragon Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29405

🎟️ Tickets: Southern Screams Official Website & Tickets⁠

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By Zoe Nicholson, zen@mailbox.sc.edu

When staff from Amsterdam’s Anne Frank House came to Columbia in 2013 to launch an exhibition about the Holocaust at Dent Middle School, then-eighth grader Sam Livoti was recruited to be a tour guide.

She and her fellow docents guided more than 1,000 students through an exhibit about the life and legacy of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl whose journal documenting her family’s years hiding from Nazis during World War II was published by her father.

Livoti’s experience helping to tell that story set the South Carolinian on a path she’s still on today.

“As a young person, this was one of the first experiences that I had where I felt like my voice mattered,” she says. “I felt empowered because I got to take the lead in front of my peers.”

Livoti now works at the University of South Carolina’s on-campus Anne Frank Center, which is tasked with expanding Holocaust education nationwide — all with the goal of building stronger, more tight-knit communities.

Becoming an Anne Frank educator

While Livoti was as an undergraduate English major at USC, she got an email: The Anne Frank House — created from the dreams of Anne’s father, Otto, to inspire the world to be better — was opening a center on USC’s campus. Would she be interested in volunteering?

“They had found in The State newspaper that I had done this exhibition years ago, and they did the math,” the 2023 USC alumna says, “and the young people from my middle school class should have been in college by then.”

Livoti came on board as a volunteer even before the center opened in 2021.

When she graduated two years later, she took a full-time staff position at the center, which is the only affiliated operation in North America to the Amsterdam-based Anne Frank House.

“I had plans to go to law school, but the work here has had such an impact on me,” Livoti explains. “And now I get the opportunity to give other young people the same empowerment, confidence and leadership skills that were given to me.”

As the center’s education specialist, Livoti manages the on-site museum, but her passion lies in her other role: leading the fast-growing Anne Frank Youth Network, a volunteer organization for people age 16 to 26 to prepare them to lead civic programming in their community — all inspired by Anne Frank’s story.

Taking Holocaust education beyond USC’s campus

The network is just one way the center has extended its influence beyond campus. In addition to hosting historians and educational scholars, training K-12 educators and serving thousands of students through tours each year, the center has done programming in 44 states. And more on- and off-campus exhibits are in the pipeline, including an unveiling of the center’s renovated gardens.

It’s all building to 2029. Anne Frank’s 100th birthday.

The Anne Frank House has charged USC’s center with having a presence in all 50 states by the time the centennial rolls around, according to Doyle Stevick, center director.

And while the charge is ambitious, so, too, are the goals of the organization: Through meaningful, peer-led conversations, Anne Frank’s story can help develop tight-knit communities filled with people more willing to stand up for one another and for what is right.

“This history is so powerful and important, we believe it’s a powerful means to achieve those elusive goals, which is, ‘How do we build community?’” Stevick explains. “‘How do we create relationships and understanding between people?’”

Growing a network of young community leaders

As North American coordinator for the Youth Network, Livoti has helped grow the Anne Frank House’s presence in communities across the U.S. She works with young people who — just like she did back in middle school — have worked as student docents for the center’s travelling exhibitions.

The network mirrors the Anne Frank Center’s mission of generating peer-led, civic discussion about hard topics, namely antisemitism and discrimination.

“We bring young people together across the United States where we are collaborating on projects that have a positive impact on the community,” Livoti says. “We are committed to fostering a world that is rooted in tolerance, inclusivity and human rights.”

The youth network exists in 22 countries. Livoti was first exposed to the international community in 2024, when she attended a conference for the group in Amsterdam. That experience was enhanced by a two-month staff exchange the Anne Frank House sponsored, which laid the groundwork to expand the network’s impact across the U.S.

She gathered 20 youths in Chicago this summer — where a replica of the Franks’ hiding place is on display — to discuss the community projects each student conducted, as well as facilitate trainings. The goal is for the students to go back home and train future tour guides and youth network members, creating a ripple effect of civic action.

The projects are aimed at community betterment, as well as encouraging conversations between students — with or without a teacher present. Stevick calls it the “positive side of peer pressure.”  

For example, one student organized an assembly at her school for Holocaust Remembrance Day. Another project involved students facilitating a workshop about refugee protections through the lens of Aristotle’s Golden Mean. 

“We help students recognize that they can help bring the best out in one another,” Stevick says.

Having students lead these projects — just like they lead the center’s tours across the country — takes a lot of training and a lot of staff support, Stevick explains. The center partners with museums and freelancers nationwide to activate students, who then go on to educate their peers.

“It’s a deeper commitment,” he says, “but that’s where the deep learning happens.”

Source: University of South Carolina

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The College of Charleston is hosting its bi-annual Unplug Week  Sept. 28 through Oct. 3., a campus-wide digital wellness initiative designed to give students, faculty and staff intentional opportunities to step away from their screens and reconnect with the people, activities and physical world around them.

Unplug Week will incorporate tech-free and tech-light classes, outdoor and hands-on activities, meditation, cooking classes, game nights, improv and other analog programming across campus. Faculty and staff are also encouraged to hold device-free meetings throughout the week.

“Unplugging isn’t about pretending technology doesn’t have a place in our lives,” said Kelley Cours Anderson, a College of Charleston marketing professor and creator of Unplug Week. “It’s about being more intentional about when we use technology and when we choose not to. We want to give our campus community opportunities to experience what happens when we create space for conversation, creativity, movement and connection without a screen.”

Anderson, who also serves as an advisor for the Global Day of Unplugging, said the lessons from that research extend beyond social media professionals to the broader challenge of establishing boundaries in a culture where being constantly connected has become the norm.

Unplug Week will also bring the conversation about technology and attention to the big screen on Thursday, Oct. 8, when Boston-based filmmaker Sara Robin will visit the College to screen her new documentary, Your Attention Please, followed by a conversation and Q&A with students and attendees. The documentary examines the growing pushback against the attention economy and explores the effects of social media and technology on childhood, mental health and human connection. The screening is co-sponsored by the College’s Civility Initiative and is free and open to the public.

The College’s Unplug Week initiative is part of a broader effort to make digital wellness an ongoing part of campus life rather than a one-time conversation. By encouraging faculty, staff and students to experiment with tech-free and tech-light experiences, the College aims to explore practical ways to build greater intentionality around technology while maintaining the benefits it provides.

For the complete schedule, visit the Unplug Week website. 

Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston’s mission is to provide students with a world-class education in the arts and sciences, business and technology, engineering and health sciences. Students have more than 150 majors and minors from which to choose — and they often choose to combine several—and complement their academic courses with overseas study, undergraduate research and internships for a truly customized education.

Nearly 12,000 students choose the college for its unique urban, mid-sized university feel. The College, home to undergraduates from across the country and around the globe, provides a creative and intellectually stimulating environment where students are challenged and guided by a committed and caring faculty of distinguished teacher-scholars. The city of Charleston serves as a living and learning laboratory for student experiences and opportunities for career development. The university bridges the old with the new in a setting that is truly extraordinary — where historic character and forward-looking innovation come together to shape a distinctive and inspiring environment for learning. A College of Charleston education focuses on discovery and personal growth, as well as preparation for life, work, and service to our society.

Photo Credit: College of Charleston

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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gov. Henry McMaster today announced the completion of South Carolina’s submission of recommended Opportunity Zone census tracts to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This announcement follows a statewide process led by the South Carolina Department of Commerce to gather input from local governments, economic development organizations, community leaders and the public.


Gov. McMaster submitted South Carolina’s Opportunity Zone nominations to the U.S. Treasury on September 23, 2026. The submission represents the next step in the redesignation of South Carolina’s Opportunity Zones under changes to the federal program enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).


“South Carolina has seen the value of Opportunity Zones in bringing investment and new opportunities to communities across our state,” said Gov. McMaster. “With the program now permanent, we can build on what has worked, focus on the communities with the greatest opportunities for investment, and continue strengthening South Carolina’s position for future economic development.”


The OBBBA, signed into law on July 4, 2025, made the Opportunity Zone program permanent and established a new redesignation process. Under the updated law, Opportunity Zones will be redesignated every 10 years.


Each governor may nominate up to 25 percent of a state’s eligible census tracts for designation as Opportunity Zones. Beginning July 1, 2026, governors were able to submit their nominations to the U.S. Treasury.


The U.S. Treasury will review South Carolina’s nominations before the new Opportunity Zones take effect on January 1, 2027.


A list of South Carolina’s submitted Opportunity Zone nominations and additional information about the nomination process can be found on the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s Opportunity Zone webpage.


As South Carolina waits for the next Opportunity Zones to take effect, Gov. McMaster is also calling on the General Assembly to prioritize conforming South Carolina’s tax code to the new federal Opportunity Zone provisions established by the OBBBA. 


A copy of the Governor’s letter can be found here. 

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$400 million investment will create 105 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Okonite Company (Okonite), a cable and wire manufacturer, today announced it is expanding its operations in Orangeburg County. The company’s $400 million investment will create 105 new jobs.

Founded in 1878, Okonite is one of the oldest insulators of electrical wire and cable in the U.S., supporting a variety of industries including electric utility, oil and gas, railroad, and chemical. The company operates 34 locations nationwide, including two production facilities in Orangeburg County.

Okonite will build a new, approximately 552,000-square-foot manufacturing plant on its existing property, located at 2276 Rowesville Road in Orangeburg, to meet growing demand for the company’s high-voltage electric cable products.

The beginning phases of construction will start in the fourth quarter of 2026, and the project will take approximately two to three years to complete. Individuals interested in joining the Okonite team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project. The council also awarded a $1.5 million Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Orangeburg County to assist with the costs of site preparation and building construction.

QUOTES

“We thank the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Orangeburg County Development Commission and the city of Orangeburg for their invaluable help and prompt actions in making our expansion possible.” -Okonite CEO and Board Chairman David J. Sokira

“Okonite’s expansion in Orangeburg County is a testament to the economic opportunities and skilled workforce available here in the Palmetto State. We are pleased to see the company continue to invest in South Carolina and create 105 new jobs in Orangeburg County.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“With an investment of $400 million, Okonite’s expanded manufacturing operations will be an exciting economic advantage for Orangeburg County. We congratulate the company on its decision to deepen its roots in South Carolina and strengthen our state’s industrial capacity.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“We are truly grateful for Okonite and the commitment they have shown to Orangeburg County over the years. An investment of more than $400 million and 105 new jobs means more opportunities for our citizens and more quality jobs right here at home. We thank them for continuing to invest in our people and for remaining an important part of the fabric of Orangeburg County.” -Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright

FIVE FAST FACTS


• The Okonite Company (Okonite) is expanding its operations in Orangeburg County.
• The company’s $400 million investment will create 105 new jobs.
• Okonite is a cable and wire manufacturer.
• The company is located at 2276 Rowesville Road in Orangeburg, S.C.
• Individuals interested in joining the Okonite team should visit the company’s careers page. 

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By Mark A Leon

For more than 130 years, a small wood-frame chapel stood at 52 Cooper Street on Charleston’s Eastside.

Known as the Emma Abbott Memorial Chapel and later home to the Mt. Sinai Holiness Church of Deliverance, the building was constructed in 1892 as a mission church serving the Eastside community. Its connection to opera singer Emma Abbott, its distinctive architecture and its long association with Charleston’s African American history made the building more than simply an old structure. 

This week, it was demolished.

What happened in between is now the subject of a City of Charleston review.

The timeline

1890–1892: The chapel is born

In 1890, Citadel Square Baptist Church purchased property at Cooper and America streets for a mission church intended to serve Charleston’s Eastside.

The church later received a $5,000 bequest from the estate of opera singer Emma Abbott, who had attended Citadel Square Baptist Church during visits to Charleston.

Architect S.H. Foulk designed the Romanesque Revival-style building, and construction was completed in December 1892. 

1977: Mt. Sinai Holiness Church takes over

After its years as a Baptist mission church, the building became home to the Mt. Sinai Holiness Church of Deliverance, which occupied the property beginning in 1977. 

For generations, the building became part of the Eastside’s religious and community landscape.

Around 2021: A preservation-minded redevelopment plan

Approximately five years ago, the property came before Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review with a proposal to rehabilitate the historic church.

The plan called for converting the existing structure into six residential units, while preserving the historic exterior. Two additional townhomes were also proposed for the property.

At the time, preservationists viewed the project as an opportunity to give the historic building a new life. 

2021–2026: The building deteriorates

The rehabilitation did not occur as originally envisioned.

According to preservationists, the building remained exposed to the elements, including water intrusion through portions of the roof.

The Preservation Society of Charleston has argued that basic stabilization and weather protection could have slowed or prevented the deterioration.

That point is now part of the larger debate: Was the building’s eventual condition inevitable, or did years of inadequate stabilization contribute to the crisis?

That is an important distinction to make in the article because the preservationists’ position is an allegation/argument, not an established finding.

August 12, 2026: Engineering report raises alarm

An engineering report dated August 12 found extensive deterioration associated with prolonged water intrusion.

According to the City, portions of the roof, structural beams and columns had deteriorated significantly, with signs of potential failure.

The assessment concluded that stabilization could not safely be undertaken without substantial risk to workers. 

August 21, 2026: Demolition permit issued

The city issued a demolition permit on August 21.

This is where the controversy escalated.

Preservationists say they did not discover the permit through a public notification process. Instead, they found it while reviewing the city’s online permit system.

They argued that the public—and particularly the surrounding Eastside community—should have had an opportunity to understand what was happening before demolition became imminent. 

September 21: Demolition is suddenly put on hold

News of the impending demolition became public.

Community members and preservation advocates raised concerns about the loss of the historic structure.

Charleston officials then paused demolition and sought an independent assessment of the building’s condition.

City Councilmember Aaron Polkey said the community should have a voice because of the church’s importance to the Eastside and Charleston’s African American history. 

September 22: Preservationists make a last-minute appeal

The Preservation Society of Charleston met with representatives connected to the development.

Preservationists urged that, if demolition could not be avoided, historic materials should at least be carefully salvaged rather than simply discarded.

There were discussions about preserving and potentially reincorporating architectural elements into the redevelopment.

The proposed future project was designed to retain elements of the original building’s architectural character. 

September 23: The chapel comes down

Despite the temporary pause and calls for additional review, the historic structure was demolished.

The city subsequently acknowledged the significance of what had happened.

In a statement, Charleston officials called the building’s loss “a loss” and described it as a sacred place connected to generations of Eastside families and Charleston’s African American history. 

September 23: The City acknowledges problems with its process

Perhaps the most significant development came after the demolition.

The City of Charleston said it is conducting a full review of what happened, including whether the conditions attached to the demolition permit were followed.

The city also acknowledged:

“What is already clear is that our own process has gaps, and those are ours to fix.” 

The city says it intends to:

• Guarantee meaningful public notice before future historic demolitions
• Conduct a funded survey of downtown historic buildings
• Add cultural significance to the factors considered in these decisions
• Review the circumstances surrounding the 52 Cooper Street demolition 

The question Charleston is now left with

The central question isn’t simply “Why was the church demolished?”

The city says there were serious structural concerns and an imminent safety threat.

The more complicated question is:

How did a historic building that had once been the subject of a preservation-oriented redevelopment plan reach a point where demolition became the city’s only safe option?

And perhaps even more importantly:

Could something have been done years earlier to prevent it from reaching that point?

Preservationists say yes.

City officials are now acknowledging that the process itself needs examination.

And the building that prompted those questions is no longer standing.

For 134 years, Emma Abbott Memorial Chapel occupied this corner of Charleston’s Eastside. On September 23, 2026, it disappeared.

What remains is the history—and a much larger conversation about how Charleston protects historic buildings before they reach the point of no return.

The city says it intends to examine what happened at 52 Cooper Street and change the process going forward.

But for the families and community members who considered the chapel part of their history, there is an unavoidable reality:

A process can be changed. A building can be restored. But once a historic structure is gone, it cannot be brought back.

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Photo Credit: Brandon Coffey – https://www.instagram.com/itsbrandoyo