CHURCH STREET

Church Street was one of Charleston's original streets laid out in the 1672 Grande Modell. It extended the length of the colonial town from what is now Cumberland Street on the north to Vanderhorst Creek (present Water Street) to the south.

Early references referred to it as New Church Street, referencing the move of St. Philip's Anglican Church in 1711 from its original site on the southeast corner of Meeting and Broad streets. It also was sometimes referred to as New Meeting Street, perhaps reflecting the loss of Old Meeting Street due to construction of the city walls.

By 1739, the road became known simply as Church Street. Also by that time, Vanderhorst Creek be had been bridged and Church Street was continued from Vanderhorst Creek south to Broughton's Battery on White Point.

With its intimate streetscape and brick paving, Church Street has been called the most romantic street in America.

In addition to St. Phillip's, some of the more notable public sites on the street include the Dock Street Theatre, French Huguenot Church, Heyward-Washington House, Cabbage Row, and First Baptist Church.

Check back as we add more individual properties to this page.

66 Church Street, John McCall House, c. 1784

80 Church Street, c. 1900

135 Church Street, Dock Street Theatre, formerly the Planters Hotel, c. 1809 

Renaissance artist Elizabeth O'Neill Verner maintained her studio on Church Street. This etching, titled "In the Bend of Church Street, Charleston," was drawn by Mrs. Verner c. 1930.
This late 19th/early 20th century image shows the building at 135 Church during its decline as the Planters Inn.