A Brief History of the Circular Congregational Church

Being the underdog in any context lends itself to a determination to succeed even if it is only in increments.

No. 4 Archdale Street is now known as the site of the Unitarian Church in Charleston. A bit of confusion is included in the history because the physical structure and its spiritual body were not always one.

The “meeting house” on Archdale Street was constructed for the overflow from the original “Meeting House” group located at 150 Meeting Street. The Society of Dissenters had outgrown their church and decided to encourage membership by building the Archdale Street facility in 1772. Almost complete in 1776, construction was delayed by the oppression by the occupying British forces. It was finished and dedicated in 1787 after much rehabilitation and repair—needed because it was used by the British to house their troops and horses.

Upon its dedication, the formal name of the congregation became the Second Independent Church. The group had shared ministers with the parent congregation—later known as the Circular Congregational Church—for about 30 years until one of the ministers and a number of the parishioners declared their allegiance to the Unitarian movement. This move was finalized with it's being re-chartered in 1839 as the Unitarian Church in Charleston.

The physical structure at No. 4 Archdale Street is the second oldest church in Downtown Charleston. The congregation represents the oldest Unitarian Church in the South. Its physical structure was inspired by the chapel of Henry the 7th at Westminster Abbey and St George's Chapel at Windsor Chapel. Some consider the structure the first example of Gothic architecture in the United States. This building is referred to as English perpendicular Gothic.

The church building has suffered the ravages of storm and quake that many other Charleston locations have. It has been redesigned to a minor degree to satisfy the need for stability in the face of future natural events. It still reflects its original design by Francis Lee and the subsequent rehabilitation by Thomas Silloway.

The history of this church began in dissension and was led through years of conflict by two ministers with diverse backgrounds, but its strength and longevity are a testament to its unified faith and spirituality.

~ David Joyner