Old Sheldon Church Ruins, Yemassee, Beaufort County, South Carolina

Visited March 16, 2016

I love the road on the opening scene of our travel video. It is one of the prettiest roads I have seen in our travels from coast to coast.

The road is the Old Sheldon Church Road in Sheldon, South Carolina, near Yemassee. It leads through a canopy of Spanish Moss covered Oak Trees which the locals tell us they are sick of, but that I will never tire of their beauty. We drove under them to the ruins of the Old Sheldon Church.

Two years ago when we visited the area we missed this site, and I was quite disappointed. I’ve brought it up over the years how disappointed I was with myself we didn’t make the time to go, so when we were back on the East Coast this year, I made it a point to visit.

About the Old Sheldon Church Ruins

The Old Sheldon Church Ruins is a historic site in northern Beaufort County, South Carolina, approximately 17 miles north of Beaufort in the Sheldon area. Originally, people knew the pre-existing building as Prince William Parish Church. They built the church in the Greek Revival style between 1745 and 1755. The British burned Prince William Parish Church in 1779 during the Revolutionary War. The Federal Army rebuilt the church in 1826, but another fire destroyed it in 1865.

I have known about this old church ruins for years. I came across it one time when I was researching the Port Royal area for a book plot I have been toying with. Ever since then, I have wanted to come here for family pictures.

Today, my wish came true and I can promise you I was not disappointed.

We got up and dressed a little nicer than our usual visiting clothes. Then we fought off the bugs to get a few great photos at the Old Sheldon Church Ruins. Here is a fun series of photos for you to enjoy. I love that we look all prim and proper despite wildly gnashing and waving our arms at the bugs between photos. Things like, “Take the picture quick so I don’t get eaten alive,” was said between gritted teeth and smiles.