Charleston is believed to be called the “Holy City” because of its history of religious tolerance + abundant places of worship. Today, the city skyline is defined by over 400 church steeples and many different religions are practiced around town. While diverse faiths are now recognized, it is important to note that the city became tolerant over time.
Here is a timeline showing the early history of some places of worship in Charleston, but not all.
- 1670: Charleston was founded.
- 1681: Circular Congregational Church — a Protestant church — was established.
- 1682: First Baptist Church was founded.
- 1687: French Huguenot Church — a Protestant church — was established.
- 1749: Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Jewish synagogue was founded.
- 1789: Saint Mary of the Annunciation Roman Catholic Church was established.
- 1810: Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul Anglican church was added.
- 1818: Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church was constructed.