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.