SC Supreme Court Issues Decision on Three Churches in Charleston and Stateburg

The South Carolina Supreme Court issued an Order today denying the Petition for Rehearing and Motion for Relief from Judgment filed by our diocese and The Episcopal Church in September 2022 (regarding Old St. Andrew’s, Charleston, and The Church of the Holy Cross, Stateburg), as well as the Petition for Rehearing filed by The Church of the Good Shepherd, Charleston. The result of this opinion is that Good Shepherd, Charleston, will be returned to the historic Diocese of South Carolina and The Episcopal Church, but Old St. Andrews, Charleston, and The Church of the Holy Cross, Stateburg, will remain with the diocese affiliated with the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), now known as the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina.

Good Shepherd, Charleston, was one of the eight church properties returned to the Diocese of South Carolina by the SC Supreme Court’s decision on August 17, 2022, along with St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center and all diocesan property. However, Good Shepherd, Charleston filed a Petition for Rehearing shortly after the decision, delaying a transfer of that property. That petition was denied with today’s order, meaning the property will be returned to the Diocese of South Carolina and The Episcopal Church.

On September 1, 2022, The Diocese of South Carolina and The Episcopal Church filed a Petition for Rehearing and a Motion for Relief from Judgment, in regard to the court’s decisions concerning two churches that were once part of the historic diocese—Old St. Andrew’s in Charleston, and The Church of the Holy Cross in Stateburg. Both petitions were denied with the order today.

While the church at Holy Cross, Stateburg was built in 1850, the congregation dates back to the late 1700s, and Old St. Andrew’s traces its origins to the Church Act of 1706; and both were among the first churches of our historic diocese and helped start The Episcopal Church in this state. Both churches have been home to generations of Episcopalians, many of which are buried in the graveyards alongside these two historic and sacred spaces.

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley expressed her grief about the loss of these historic parishes. “Many faithful Episcopalians are personally affected by the loss of these two churches as blessed spaces of worship for themselves and the generations before them, and I grieve with each of them,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “I know Episcopalians will continue to hold these sacred spaces, which are an integral part of our history, close at heart. We will continue to support those who have lost their church home yet wish to continue their faith journey in the community of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina.”

Good Shepherd, Charleston, has roots related to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Charleston, which was formed in 1833, though Good Shepherd’s current location near Charlestowne Landing in West Ashley was built in the 1970s. “As we acknowledge the loss of two more churches, we rejoice to welcome Good Shepherd back home as part of The Episcopal Church, and we look forward to sharing more about the ministry there in the days ahead,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley.

Bishop Woodliff-Stanley, Chancellor Skip Utsey, and diocesan leadership will look to work with Bishop Chip Edgar, bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina and their leadership, toward the next steps in the process, following the direction provided by this Order. “Please continue to keep all involved with this transition, as well as all affected by these decisions, in your prayers,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley.