The Circular Church

Once sheltered within the old walled city of Charleston, the Circular Congregational Church has raised itself from the ruins three times since its founding in 1681. Joanne Calhoun, in collaboration with the Church History Committee, presents the natural disasters, wars, human struggle and history witnessed by this historic church--and the humor, intellect, courage and faith of a congregation that flourishes to this day.

The Circular Congregational Church reflects the independent spirit of its founders. To tour the church and wander in its graveyard is to feel the presence of people who settled the colony of Charleston, amassed and lost fortunes, plotted the Revolution, framed the Constitution, formed the Union, split the Union, survived the Civil War and coped with its aftermath. With detailed research and a rare collection of vintage photographs, this book traces the history of one of Charleston's most famous landmarks, and one of the city's oldest congregations.