United States
South Carolina (SC)
Coastal South Carolina
Charleston
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St. Michael's Church
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St. Michael's Church

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St. Michael's Church
4.5
828 reviews
#5 of 228 things to do in Charleston
Historic Sites • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
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8:00 AM - 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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About
Charleston's oldest church has been tolling its bells on the hour since 1764. Dynamic Downtown Worship in the Anglican Tradition
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Charlestowne
Best nearby
Restaurants
485 within 3 miles
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Millers All Day
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Bin 152
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0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Wine Bar
Pearlz Oyster Bar
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The Establishment
195
0.1 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
East Bay Meeting House Bar & Cafe
427
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Attractions
235 within 6 miles
Heyward-Washington House
426
444 ftHistoric Sites • History Museums
Washington Square
44
311 ftGardens
Charleston City Hall
43
311 ftGovernment Buildings
Nathaniel Russell House
2,062
0.1 miHistoric Sites • History Museums
Dock Street Theater
388
0.1 miTheaters
Postal Museum
25
353 ftSpeciality Museums
South Carolina Historical Society Museum
20
387 ftHistory Museums
French Quarter Art walk charleston sc
20
390 ftSpeciality Museums
Charleston County Courthouse
20
279 ftHistoric Sites • Government Buildings
Helena Fox Fine Art
3
475 ftArt Galleries
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See what other travelers are saying
  • mfalk
    Charleston, South Carolina26 contributions
    I’m a local. Don’t miss this important landmark at the Four Corners of Law.
    Although I am clearly biased as I was baptized here, this is a piece of history that visitors to our city should not miss. The pulpit hanging out over the pews is beautiful. The Tiffany stained glass window of St.Michael defeating the serpent is an amazing work of art. Sit in same pew as George Washington. Listen to our rector, Al Zadig preach a sermon at 8am, 10:30am, and 6pm on Sunday’s. See the headstones of famous Americans buried in the graveyard. Buy a sweetgrass basket from Deborah Greene outside the graveyard wall on the corner of St.Michael’s Alley, and Meeting St.
    Visited January 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 19, 2020
  • The Sane Adventurer
    Charlotte, North Carolina498 contributions
    Beautiful Anglican Church both inside and out
    We were at St. Michael's for a wedding. The church itself is beautiful with wonderful stained glass near altar. The pews were boxes Anglican style (like old Bostonian churches). The organ while small by European cathedral standards was very pretty and overall I really liked the church and it was a perfect venue for a beautiful wedding.
    Visited March 2021
    Written March 10, 2021
  • Holly H
    5 contributions
    amazing, beautiful, and historic
    we were lucky enough to visit when St Michael's church was open and we could go inside and look around. It is absolutely gorgeous. The interior was amazing. We also saw pew 43, where George Washington sat in 1791 (also called the president's pew) I took some pictures and all who see them want to see this marvelous church.
    Visited September 2021
    Written September 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
828 reviews
Excellent
609
Very good
192
Average
19
Poor
3
Terrible
5
mfalk
Charleston, SC26 contributions
I’m a local. Don’t miss this important landmark at the Four Corners of Law.
Jan 2020 • Couples
Although I am clearly biased as I was baptized here, this is a piece of history that visitors to our city should not miss.
The pulpit hanging out over the pews is beautiful.
The Tiffany stained glass window of St.Michael defeating the serpent is an amazing work of art.
Sit in same pew as George Washington.
Listen to our rector, Al Zadig preach a sermon at 8am, 10:30am, and 6pm on Sunday’s.
See the headstones of famous Americans buried in the graveyard.
Buy a sweetgrass basket from Deborah Greene outside the graveyard wall on the corner of St.Michael’s Alley, and Meeting St.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Sane Adventurer
Charlotte, NC498 contributions
Beautiful Anglican Church both inside and out
Mar 2021
We were at St. Michael's for a wedding. The church itself is beautiful with wonderful stained glass near altar. The pews were boxes Anglican style (like old Bostonian churches). The organ while small by European cathedral standards was very pretty and overall I really liked the church and it was a perfect venue for a beautiful wedding.
Written March 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holly H
5 contributions
amazing, beautiful, and historic
Sep 2021
we were lucky enough to visit when St Michael's church was open and we could go inside and look around. It is absolutely gorgeous. The interior was amazing. We also saw pew 43, where George Washington sat in 1791 (also called the president's pew) I took some pictures and all who see them want to see this marvelous church.
Written September 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,745 contributions
The oldest church in Charleston
Sep 2021
St. Michael's Episcopal Church is a National Historic Landmark and the oldest surviving religious structure in Charleston, South Carolina. Located at 71 Broad Street in downtown Charleston, at Broad and Meeting streets on one of the Four Corners of Law, it was built between 1751 and 1761 on the site of a wooden church that dated to 1681. Although the architect's name is unknown, the type of architecture follows the tradition of Sir Christoper Wren that was generally used during the Colonial period and up to the Gothic revival in 1841. The altar is close to the congregation in a shallow recess with the choir and organ in the rear. A gallery on three sides brings more people closer to the center of worship. The pulpit is the original, remarkable for its size and supported by two Corinthian columns. The Victorian altar dates to 1892. Two stained glass windows in the north aisle were presented to the church in 1897 and 1908. The church houses a clock and change ringing bells dating to Colonial times. It is thought to be the oldest functioning Colonial tower clock in the country. The bells were cast in 1764 and recast in 1866. George Washington and Robert E. Lee worshipped in the church. Two signers of the U.S. Constitution, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and John Rutledge, are buried in the adjacent Churchyard. St. Michael's was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
Written September 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tangi1
Elizabeth, NJ808 contributions
Historical Church in French Quarter
Apr 2021
Tiffany stained glass and the marked pew where George Washington and Robert E Lee worshiped are the highlights. The pulpit is raised which when you stand at President Washington's pew you are just about eye level. No upward neck straining as in the front pews. Impeccably clean and well kept.
Written June 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trudy C
Deep Gap, NC3 contributions
Wonderful service of worship!
Sep 2022
We enjoyed this visit so much. The senior minister greeted us at the front door and walked with us to the Parish Hall to a Welcome Time with doughnuts and lemonade! The worship service was inspiring and filled with amazing music and a memorable, thoughtful sermon. We asked about sitting in a "pew cube" as we had during a previous visit (our granddaughters remembered vividly) and were graciously escorted to it.
Written September 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane H
Athens, AL151 contributions
Beautiful Historical Church
Nov 2020
St. Michael's Church is absolutely beautiful. My friend and I toured the church as part of a private walking tour. The tour guide showed us the pew in the front where George Washington, Robert E. Lee, and Prince Charles of Wales had all sat.
Written November 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue9832
Peoria, AZ151 contributions
Must see in Charleston!
May 2021
The tour of St. Michael's was very special. George Washington attended here in the early 1790's, and his pew #43 is marked. It's a beautiful church with historic bells. Thank you, St. Michaels tour guides!
Written May 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert44
The Woodlands, TX372 contributions
Beautiful Church
Jun 2021
The church and its grave yard are very interesting. George Washington, Robert E Lee and Lady Di all worshipped here once. I love the look of the historic pews with doors. Two signers of the constitution are buried here as well as a distant relative of mine.
Written June 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
Middlesbrough, UK1,705 contributions
DELIGHTFUL
May 2023 • Couples
Charming church in easy reach when walking from the cruise port. Set back from the port area, the church is a real delight to view. My wife and I were in the area so we took the opportunity to pop in to admire the church.
Written June 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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St. Michael's Church, Charleston

Frequently Asked Questions about St. Michael's Church
St. Michael's Church is open:
  • Sun - Sun 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Sun - Sun 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Sun - Sun 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Mon - Thu 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Fri - Fri 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Sat - Sat 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking St. Michael's Church tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 21 St. Michael's Church tours on Tripadvisor

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