Cross First Scots Presbyterian

First Scots Presbyterian Church, the fifth oldest church in Charleston, was constructed in 1814. The graveyard contains more than 50 stones that date... more

by Kelly Hazel

Title

Cross First Scots Presbyterian

Artist

Kelly Hazel

Medium

Photograph

Description

First Scots Presbyterian Church, the fifth oldest church in Charleston, was constructed in 1814. The graveyard contains more than 50 stones that date earlier than 1800. The congregation of First Scots dates to 1731 when 12 Scottish families withdrew from the Meeting House, located at the site where the Circular Congregational Church now stands. These members formed Scot's Kirk or the Scotch Meeting House, and were associated with the Presbytery of Charleston and later the Presbyterian Church of the United States. Their first building was finished in 1734 and used for worship until the current church was built. Unique silver and pewter tokens were used for admission to Communion. During both the Revolutionary War and Civil War services were not held. Like many other buildings in Charleston, the church was damaged by the 1886 earthquake, as well as a hurricane the year before. Presbyterians from the North assisted in the restoration of First Scots, and two other Presbyterian churches in Charleston damaged by these natural disasters. Several memorial windows remain that were placed after the earthquake.
Information taken from church website: http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/ch

Uploaded

August 16th, 2013