French Huguenot Church, Charleston
Founded around 1681 by Huguenot refugees from the Protestant persecutions in France, the first French Huguenot Church was built in 1687 on its present site. As an attempt to stop a spreading fire, the church was destroyed in 1769 with the replacement of the original building being completed in 1800. In 1844 the church was dismantled and was replaced by the present Gothic Revival edifice which was designed by Edward Brickell White.
During the War Between the States, the church sustained damaged by shellfire during the long bombardment of downtown Charleston. In 1886, an earthquake nearly demolished the church once again. The present building dates to 1845.
A tracker organ, carved in the style and shape of a Gothic chapel was purchased and installed in 1845. This type of organ is unique as the keys are connected with the pipe valves by a wooden "tracker" or mechanical linkage. This technique responds to the organist's touch and is considered faster than any modern technology available. Federal soldiers dismantled the organ and were loading it on a New York-bound ship after the fall of Charleston in 1865. Pleas from the organist and friends save the organ and it now remains within the church.
As the only remaining independent French Huguenot Church in the nation, weekly services are offered in English with liturgy being used that dates back to 1737 and 1772. Services and communion are open to all believers which wish to partake. The church is governed by the Board of Directors and the Board of Elders with the Calvinist doctrine in place today, just as it was with the early founders of the church.
During the War Between the States, the church sustained damaged by shellfire during the long bombardment of downtown Charleston. In 1886, an earthquake nearly demolished the church once again. The present building dates to 1845.
A tracker organ, carved in the style and shape of a Gothic chapel was purchased and installed in 1845. This type of organ is unique as the keys are connected with the pipe valves by a wooden "tracker" or mechanical linkage. This technique responds to the organist's touch and is considered faster than any modern technology available. Federal soldiers dismantled the organ and were loading it on a New York-bound ship after the fall of Charleston in 1865. Pleas from the organist and friends save the organ and it now remains within the church.
As the only remaining independent French Huguenot Church in the nation, weekly services are offered in English with liturgy being used that dates back to 1737 and 1772. Services and communion are open to all believers which wish to partake. The church is governed by the Board of Directors and the Board of Elders with the Calvinist doctrine in place today, just as it was with the early founders of the church.
