French Huguenot Church, Charleston

One of Charleston's oldest congregations, the French Huguenot Church, founded in the 1680s, also holds the distinction of being the only remaining independent Huguenot church in the United States. The original sanctuary, constructed in 1687, was intentionally destroyed as a firebreak during the major fire of 1796. Its successor, built in 1800, was also later demolished in favor of the current picturesque stucco-coated Gothic Revival temple, which was completed in the mid-1800s and was the first of its kind in the city.

Back in the 16th and 17th centuries, Huguenots in predominantly Catholic France faced persecution for their Protestant beliefs. After the Revocation of the Nantes Edict in 1685, many had fled France, with some finding refuge in North America. Charleston's early congregation included many of these refugees, and their descendants continued to play a significant role in the church's affairs for generations.

Originally affiliated with the Calvinist Reformed Church of France, the Huguenot Church still retains elements of Calvinist doctrine in its services, which are primarily conducted in English but follow the 18th-century French liturgy. Since 1950, an annual service conducted in French has been held to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Visitors to the church can request a brief tour from the on-duty docents, who provide insights into the Huguenot influence in early America and the church's history. The famous old Tracker organ, the Gothic ceiling, and external buttresses are all worthy of a look. While there is no admission fee or mandatory tour charge, donations are welcomed and used for the preservation of the historic building.

During the Spring and Fall, tours are available from 10 am to 4 pm on Mondays through Thursdays and from 10 am to 1 pm on Fridays.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Charleston. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: French Huguenot Church
Sight Location: Charleston, USA (See walking tours in Charleston)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Charleston Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Charleston, South Carolina

Create Your Own Walk in Charleston

Creating your own self-guided walk in Charleston is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Downtown Historical Churches Tour

Charleston, South Carolina, is also sometimes called the 鈥淗oly City.鈥� This is due to the large number of churches found here. Needless to say, the most fascinating of them are concentrated in the Downtown area, each with its unique charm and significance.

Among such temples of distinction is Saint Matthew's Church, an enduring symbol of Charleston's German Lutheran community. Its... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles

French Quarter Walking Tour

A historic district in downtown Charleston, The French Quarter is named so for the high concentration of French merchants that once lived in the area and left their mark on it. The name was coined in 1973, when preservation efforts began for warehouse buildings on the Lodge Alley block. That same year the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The busy neighbourhood... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

Harleston Village Walking Tour

Founded in the 18th century, the historic Harleston Village is a charming neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina. The rich past and vibrant present of this area make it a popular destination for tourists.

At the heart of Harleston Village lies the College of Charleston, an esteemed institution of higher learning, established in 1770, adding a great deal of academic flair to the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Historical Houses Tour

Charleston is steeped in history. Walking the colorful, narrow cobblestone streets of one of America's oldest towns, with its stunningly preserved colonial homes, you can see its story play out before your eyes practically everywhere you turn. Indeed, Charleston is among the most celebrated places in the U.S. to explore fine examples of American architecture and its progression through time.
... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles

Charleston Introduction Walking Tour

A popular tourist destination and a major port city in South Carolina, Charleston is fit to impress anyone with its Southern charm, friendliness, and rich history. Founded in 1670 as Charles Town, honoring King Charles II of England, this was the first comprehensively planned town in America.

The city's significance in American history is tied to its role as a key slave trading port. The... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

51爆料网