South Carolina: Old Sheldon Church Ruins

Discovering South Carolina's Lowcountry Beauty

The Old Sheldon Church Ruins (Prince William Parish Church) embodies an intriguing history and a majestic appeal. The birth of this beautiful site was long in coming. Organization of the Prince William Parish Church, and much of its funding was provided by William Bull, whose plantation bordered the church grounds. In 1751, the Prince William Parish Church cornerstone was laid, and in 1757, the interior of this tabby and brick structure was complete and the first services were held. Scholars now know that the Prince William Parish Church represented the first temple-form neoclassical structure in America, and began the Greek Revival style in the South. Sadly, the man most accredited with the success of the Prince William Parish Church died before its completion. As a symbol of respect, William Bull was buried inside the church at the base of the alter. Remarkably, the stone marking his grave remains in place to this day.

As wealthy families continued to relocate to the area surrounding the Prince William Parish Church, it was used on a regular basis. However, as the end of the 18th century approached, and the Revolutionary War beckoned, life in the Lowcountry began to change. In June of 1775, thousands of pounds of gunpowder were confiscated from the British ship, Little Carpenter, and were stored in the Prince William Parish Church. Soon, storing gun powder and weapons in the Prince William Parish Church became a common occurrence. Ultimately, this resulted in its demise. In May of 1779, Major DeVeaux, a leading Tory of the Beaufort region, burned not only the Prince William Parish Church, but also destroyed the Bull family estate, Sheldon Plantation. The loss of the Prince William Parish Church was not only a physical one, but a symbolic one as well, as the church stood as a testament to the wealth and prosperity of the region.