Harleston Village in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Unitarian Church in Charleston
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 2, 2011
1. The Unitarian Church in Charleston Marker
Avowedly Unitarian
since 1819
One of the oldest
Unitarian Churches
in the United States
and
the oldest one in
the South
O
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1787.
Location. 32° 46.71′ N, 79° 55.985′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in Harleston Village. It is on King Street near Gateway Walk, on the right when traveling south. Located between Clifford Street and Jacobs Alley. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston and in the Lowcountry. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jonathan Jasper Wright Law Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Central Station in South Carolina (about 300 feet away); Quaker Cemetery (about 400 feet away); The Unitarian Churchyard (about 400 feet away); St. John's Church (about 500 feet away); Charleston Gas Light Company (about 500 feet away); Philip Porcher House (about 500 feet away);
this page online
Regarding The Unitarian Church in Charleston. Begun in 1772, the church was gothicized by Francis D. Lee between 1852 and 1854. The building is a good statement of the emotional mood of the mid-nineteenth century when the romantic and picturesque were dominant not only in literature but also in building design. Of Gothic Revival design, the church has a crenellated four-story tower and lancet-arched windows. The main entrance is a Tudor arch, while the eighteen paned lancet arched main tower window has a crocketed hood mould. All windows in the west faηade have hood moulds. The building is constructed of stuccoed brick and has false masonry buttresses. Lee designed the churchs interior to simulate that of the chapel of Henry VII at Westminster. The architects use of compound piers to support the ceiling and to divide the nave and the aisles is quite good and gives the arches an appearance of soaring to heights that they never reach physically. A great deal of Gothic tracery is used in balustrades and arches within the nave of the church. Listed in the National Register November 7, 1973; Designated
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 2, 2011
2. The Unitarian Church in Charleston Marker (L) at Gateway Walk on King Street
John - viii -32 verse at right
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
*** (added 1973 - - #73001696)
6 Archdale St. , Charleston
♦ Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Lee,Francis D.
♦ Architectural Style: Gothic Revival
♦ Area of Significance: Architecture
♦ Period of Significance: 1850-1874
Listed in the National Register November 7, 1973; Designated a National Historic Landmark November 7, 1973.
Also see . . . The Unitarian Church in Charleston: A Beacon of Open Faith and History. (Submitted on December 14, 2023.)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 2, 2011
3. The Unitarian Church in Charleston
* See Nearby marker
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Mike Stroud
4. Unitarian Church Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 21, 2026
5. Additional signage on the church
Church
The oldest
Unitarian church
in the South
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 21, 2026
6. Church signage
Unitarian Church
in Charleston
Established 1772
A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 778 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on October 11, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on May 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
