In 1731, the First (Scots) Presbyterian Church was created when twelve Scottish families separated from what is now the Circular Congregational Church in order to follow the tenets of the Church of Scotland. The towering brick building that stands today was built in 1814 to replace the original church where the congregation had worshipped since 1734. It features stucco-covered walls that are three-feet thick, wrought iron grilles adorned with thistles (the national emblem of Scotland) and a stained glass window over the entrance which bears the Church of Scotland seal.
The First (Scots) Presbyterian Church is the one of the oldest religious buildings in Charleston, South Carolina. It has required restoration due to the natural disasters that have struck the area over the centuries, including the 1886 earthquake after which Presbyterians travelled from the North to repair the building. Numerous monuments dating back to the 18 th century can be found in its historic graveyard, where over 800 people are buried.
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