St. Philip's Episcopal Church

St. Philip's Episcopal Church is a brick building designed in Gothic Revival style with three columned porches and a tall octagonal spire topped with a weather vane. The interior features a spacious entry area with side galleries and a semicircular choir section that was redesigned following a fire.

The present structure was built from 1835 to 1836 as the third church building for this congregation, with its spire added several years later. This reconstruction followed earlier religious buildings on the site and shaped the congregation's growth over the following decades.

The graveyard holds remains of important figures from the region, serving as a place of remembrance for those who shaped local history. You can walk among graves bearing names that echo through American history.

The church sits on a prominent street that makes it straightforward to locate and visit on foot. The grounds invite a leisurely walk around the building and through the cemetery area.

The tower served as a navigation marker for ships entering the harbor between 1893 and 1915, and was briefly lit again in 1921. Few visitors realize that this religious building once played a practical role in maritime safety.

Location: Lee County

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

GPS coordinates: 34.10361,-80.42583

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:41