“C” is for Circular Congregational Church

“C” is for Circular Congregational Church (Charleston). Circular Congregational Church, dedicated in 1892, is the fourth house of worship on this site at 150 Meeting Street. Its Richardsonian Romanesque style reflects Charleston's tradition of adopting current architectural fashion for ecclesiastical buildings, despite the city's famous conservatism in residential design. The Dissenters Society, organized in 1681 built the “White Meeting House” that gave Meeting Street its name. A second structure was built in 1732. The third edifice, designed by Robert Mills and completed in 1806, was noted for its circular design. The great fire of 1861 left only the brick walls of Mills's building standing. For years the church retained its identity by meeting in borrowed spaces. After the 1886 earthquake made the ruined walls a safety hazard, the Circular Congregational Church resolved to rebuild a new house of worship.