St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Catholic church in Ansonborough, Charleston, United States
St. Mary's Church is a Catholic church building in Charleston featuring a rectangular brick structure covered with stucco and supported by four Doric columns. Inside, the space holds about 350 seats arranged along a central aisle and two wide rows of pews on either side.
The building was completed in 1839 to replace an earlier brick structure destroyed during the Charleston fire of 1838. This was the third religious structure built on this site, showing the community's commitment to rebuilding after hardship.
The graveyard contains tombstones inscribed in French, showing the mark of refugees from the West Indies who arrived in Charleston during the late 1700s. These graves reveal how a displaced community left its mark on this place.
The church sits on Hasell Street in the Ansonborough neighborhood and welcomes visitors during designated times. It is advisable to check ahead for visiting hours, as the space is actively used for worship services.
The interior displays a Crucifixion painting by John S. Cogdell that was created specifically to replace the original artwork lost in the 1838 fire. This piece represents an artistic response to destruction and reflects the building's journey through hardship.
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