How many steeples can you spot in this aerial photo? | Photo via @charlestonspired
Some say our iconic Holy City nickname stems from the skyline full of steeples + its history of religious tolerance. There are 400+ places of worship on the peninsula alone, and many different religions are practiced around town. While Charleston is now known for its diverse faiths, it’s worth noting that this tolerance developed over time.
Some of the city’s most well-recognized places of worship include, but are not limited to:
St. Michael’s is the oldest surviving religious building in Charleston; the church was built in the 1750s.
St. Philip’s was initially constructed as a wooden building in 1681, and the brick church we know today was built in the early 18th century.
Tap below for a quick peek at some of the first places to worship in Charleston.
Gators of the Lowcountry | 12-12:45 p.m. | Edisto Beach State Park | Free with park admission | Learn more about the state’s largest reptile and get an up-close look at one of the resident gators.
North Charleston Chamber of Commerce May Mixer | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Southern Roots Smokehouse, North Charleston | $5+ | Join the chamber for an evening of networking — your first drink is included with the ticket price.
Wednesday, May 21
Gardening 101 — Pollinator Gardens | 5-7 p.m. | Charleston Farms Community Center | Free + donations optional | Learn all the basics to help your garden thrive.
Sunset Dolphin Boat Cruise | 7:15 p.m. | Coastal Expeditions at Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant | $40 | Take a leisurely sunset cruise through Shem Creek and into the Charleston Harbor and try to spot some Lowcountry wildlife.
Thursday, May 22
Sips of the Season | 12-5 p.m. | The Charleston Place | Alcohol available for purchase | Celebrate the season’s flavors with a curated list of Italian wines complemented by rotating signature cocktails.
Candle Making Party | 6-7:30 p.m. | Sweatman’s Garden | $45 | Make a custom-candle + eat, drink, and socialize.
Darude | 8 p.m. | Music Farm | $28+ | See this Finnish DJ and record producer’s “Storm 25 Tour” as he performs hits like “Sandstorm.”
The community features 89 spacious lots, each averaging over an acre. | Photos by GVLtoday
Prioritizing personal wellness is easier said than done. But what if you lived in a community designed to make healthy lifestyle choices easy? We recently visited Longview Carolina, a new “agrihood” in Easley, SC designed to do just that.
Here’s what we learned during our private tour of the gated community:
It’s intentional: Longview was developed with Blue Zone principles in mind and is building on the region’s sustainability efforts. There’s an onsite working farm where residents can grow their own food and harvest eggs.
It’s convenient: The community is just 20 minutes from Greenville and Clemson, and minutes from downtown Easley — but the serene neighborhood couldn’t feel farther away from the hustle and bustle.
It’s scenic: It’s hard to describe the natural beauty of this area. We enjoyed taking in the panoramic mountain views of the Upstate from the community’s peak and walking along the wooded trails.
Level up your living situation, and check out the leasing options at The Atlantic Nowell Creek. The community recently opened on Daniel Island and offers a pool, co-working space, fitness center, dog park, community dock access, and 15 other perks to explore.
Edu
Summer break is around the corner —but we’re looking ahead to next school year (sorry, kids). The new Johns Island Elementary School is set to open on Tuesday, Aug. 12. The two-story brick, 90,600-sqft school will be home to 700 second through fifth graders.
Eat
Ready for a tasty collab? Ma’am Saab + Sarah’s Dumps are teaming up on Wednesday, May 28, from 5 to 9 p.m., for a one-night-only five-course K-Pak Flavor Night, where Pakistani spice meets South Korean soul. Tickets are $75 per person.
Number
25. That’s how many years a Lowcountry nonprofit has been serving the community with its beautification efforts. Here are some more numbers for ya — Keep North Charleston Beautiful has had ~200,000 volunteers throughout the years and spent nearly half a million service hours on projects, litter prevention, and environmental education. (WCSC)
Debbie Antonelli, a former standout basketball player + analyst for ESPN and ACC Network, has called Mount Pleasant home for the last 25 years. Antonelli is being recognized for her work on and off the court, and the Mount Pleasant Town Gym will be named in her honor. (WCBD)
Seasonal
In an effort to teach swimming lessons, spread water awareness + safety tips this summer, the Summerville YMCA is hosting Splash Into Safety. There are several 30-minute sessions at the Colleton County Parks & Rec and Davis-Bailey Park. The program cost $1 a day.
Open
The Clubhouse, an indoor golf simulator located on Meeting Street (just above F45), is now open. The space is equipped with Trackman technology + a full bar, which also features light bites.
Jobs
Calling all business owners and hiring managers — we’re growing our CHStoday Job Board, which means you can post unlimited job listings for free. No tricks or gimmicks — simply create an account and start posting.
Honor our nation’s heroes in Charleston this Memorial Day. | Photo by @mpeacockmedia
Memorial Day is around the corner, so we’ve rounded up a list of events where you can honor and remember our nation’s heroes.
Events
Memorial Day at the Children’s Museum | Monday, May 26 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Free with admission | Join this educational experience, where kids can make cards for veterans.
Remembrance Ceremony 2025 “Honor Them” | Monday, May 26 | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Free | Hutchinson Square, Summerville | Hear from leaders and guest speakers while commemorating the men and women who served in the military.
Memorial Day Concert | Monday, May 26 | 3-4 p.m. | Free | Hampton Park | This patriotic presentation honors those who made sacrifices to protect our country.
One of our favorite trends of the summer: textured handbags. From straw to beaded, these are our top five picks:
🌟 This standout wood bead bracelet handle bag is the perfect accessory for your beach vacation.
🌟 This versatile braided tote made with 70% recycled plastic is available in 35+ colors.
🌟 MANGO’s woven canvas crossbody with smooth faux leather detailing offers fun textural interplay.
🌟 This crescent straw bag with an adjustable shoulder strap will be our go-to all summer long.
🌟 An elegant rope clutch is a must for summertime weddings and cocktail parties.
Looking for a patio, rooftop, or outdoor spot to enjoy your next meal? Check out Bar167 and its new spring menu. Don’t stop there — explore 30+ of the best patios in the 843.