Old Sheldon Church Ruins

Formerly known as Prince William Parish Church. The structure remaining today in Beaufort County, SC, tells of a tumultuous past for the early colonies of today’s  States, including the Revolutionary War & Civil War. Today the ruins are definitely worth a visit. But let’s learn more about the past. 

Built between 1745 and 1755, the church was originally known as the Church of Prince Williams Parish,  it was part of The Church of England the church was founded by   It is the first Greek Revival churches built in the United States.

The church was first burned by British General Augustine Prevost during the Revolutionary War in 1779. The Parishioners rebuilt the church in 1826, however, it was destroyed by General Sherman during his historic “March to Sea,” in 1865. Some say that Sherman’s men burned it to the ground, while others say it was torn apart.

“In a letter dated February 3, 1866, Beaufort’s Miton Leverett wrote that ‘Sheldon Church not burnt. Just torn up in the inside, but can be repaired.’ The inside of the church was apparently gutted to reuse materials in rebuilding the area homes that were burnt by Sherman’s army.”

https://eatsleepplaybeaufort.com/beauforts-history-old-sheldon-church/

The ruins lie among majestic oaks and scattered graves. Inside the ruins of the church lie the remains of Colonel William Bull, who “greatly assisted General Oglethorpe in establishing the physical layout of Savannah, Georgia. Bull surveyed the land in 1733 to form the basic grid pattern of the streets and squares.” The ruins proved to be a popular site in the Lowcountry for photographers and wedding ceremonies in contemporary times. As of October 2015, the Old Sheldon ruins are not available to the public for hosting wedding ceremonies; however, an annual service is held the second Sunday after Easter.

You can view some of the amazing photos we took while visiting on our way back to Mount Pleasant after a wedding anniversary weekend away in Savannah, GA.