The thought and passion that goes into the building of a church is almost always overlooked. The finished product is a beautiful meeting place for the faithful and devout. South Carolina sits in the middle of the Bible Belt of America. We didn’t get that name for absolutely no reason whatsoever. We have many, many churches here. Some are small;  barely able to hold five people at one time including the pastor. Then there are those that could be classified as castles. They are huge glorious pieces of architecture that reach epic proportions. Whether big or small all of them are beautiful.

1. Saint Thaddeus Episcopal Church, Aiken, SC
carlfbagge/Flickr
Built in 1842, this church was remodeled in 1926.
2. Spring Valley Baptist Church, Columbia, SC
geraldbrazell/Flickr
Beautifully positioned on a high hill to be seen from miles away and to catch the rays of the sun just right.
3. Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Columbia, SC
geraldbrazell/Flickr
The oldest surviving sanctuary and first Episcopal church in Columbia. It is modeled in the Gothic Revival style. The cornerstone was laid November 26, 1845.
4. Tabernacle Baptist Church, Beaufort, SC
Ken Lund/Flickr
Built in 1849 and remodeled in 1893. This church has a very in depth history dating back to the Civil War.
5. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Charleston, SC
Alan Eisen/Flickr
It is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston. Built in 1890 and completed in 1902.
6. Stella Maris Roman Catholic, Sullivan's Island, SC
Spencer Means/Flickr
One of the oldest Catholic churches in the Charleston area.
7. Unitarian Church, Charleston, SC
Matt Drobnik/Flickr
The building of this church in and of itself is a story! It was started in 1772, but then the Revolutionary War happened, and finally it was finished and dedicated in 1787.
8. Christ Episcopal Church, Florence, SC
Phillip Guyton/Flickr
Constructed in 1859 in the Carpenter Gothic style.
9. Bishopville Presbyterian Church, Bishopville, SC
Melissa Roberts Photography/FB
Built between 1839 and 1840.
10. Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church, Barnwell, SC
Melissa Rogers Photography/FB
Built in 1842, this church is made simply, but no less beautiful.
11. First Baptist Church, Barnwell, SC
Melissa Rogers Photography/FB
Found downtown Barnwell SC.
12. Church of the Holy Apostles, Barnwell, SC
Melissa Rogers Photography/FB
This church was built in 1856 in the Carpenter Gothic style. It has quite a history with the Civil War.
13. McBee Presbyterian Church, McBee, SC
Melissa Rogers Photography/FB
It is the first church built in McBee and was completed in the year 1901.
14. Church of the Advent, Spartanburg, SC
M. Sanders/Flickr
Constructed in 1851 in the Gothic Revival style.
15. Trinity Lutheran Church, Greenville, SC
catharticflux/Flickr
An absolutely stunning church.
16. First African Baptist Church, Beaufort, SC
pmonaghan/Flickr
Built in 1865 by freed slaves. What a history some of these churches have.
17. Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Blackville, SC
Melissa Rogers Photography/FB
An absolutely magnificent work of art.
18. The Chapel at Palmetto Bluff, SC
HiltonHead/Flickr
Simply a stunning little chapel that has been the place of many married couples.

Religious or not, no one can deny that these are stunning masterpieces of architecture. However, I have to say that what makes any church more beautiful than the building, is the people that truly worship inside its walls. I’m sure that there are so many more churches that I have missed in my quest and I ask of you, if you have a photograph of a church that you would like to share, please do so in the comments below. Until next time friends…

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