Meet the Spirits that Haunt this Iconic Charleston Graveyard

Charleston is famously known as the Holy City. And if you happen to be in the Holy City, why not walk down haunted Church Street and visit St. Philip's Episcopal Church?

The main gate of St. Philip's Church West CemeteryPhoto byChanilim714, 2009

They were founded in 1680, making the congregation the oldest in the United States south of Virginia. In the 17th century, the first tower of St. Philip's stood at the southeast corner of Broad and Meeting Street before expanding to a new and larger building in 1723.

According to Denise Roffe in her Ghosts and Legends of South Carolina 2nd edition book, By 1850, Charleston was expanding and needed the church to move over twenty-five feet to extend Church Street. St. Philip's refused, forcing the hand of the city to divert around the church. However, the graveyard was in the way. City officials decided to move the markers and headstones as they continued construction but left the bodies behind under the street.

And yes, as you might expect, the cemetery is allegedly haunted. Much like many other cemeteries in the Charleston area, the graveyard at St. Philip's has several long-term residents who are said to walk amongst the living today. One ghost who walks the grounds is said to be Sue Howard Hardy.

Both Sue and her husband wanted a baby and had tried multiple times. On two different occasions, Sue managed to get pregnant, only to miscarry later. Then they tried again for the third time.

The baby was delivered stillborn on June 13th, 1888. Sue was not allowed to name or hold the child, which further broke her. Three days later, on June 16th, she passed away from complications stemming from the pregnancy, and she and her son were buried together at St. Philip's graveyard. Witnesses say Sue still visits the grave of her baby. And nearly a hundred years later, a local author caught it on camera.

On June 13th, 1987, the author put the lens of his camera through the bars of the locked gate of the graveyard and began taking photos for his book. When the pictures developed, he noticed a figure in one of the photographs. It appeared to be a woman kneeling before her grave, with a seagrass basket next to her.

Was this Sue mourning the loss of her baby or another specter?

The Gray Man is another apparition that supposedly roams the graveyard, but this Gray Man has a different legend tied to him. According to legend, if you are unfortunate to see him, you will meet your fate shortly afterward, but that is not always the case.

The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. St. Philip’s is magnificent and is a place that has been greatly esteemed for centuries. Do yourself a favor and visit on your next trip to Charleston. Who knows, you may meet a face from the past.

Disclaimer: The Lantern does not profit from tourism or any businesses mentioned in our articles.

Written By: Izzy

Photo By: Chanilim714

Sources: Ghosts and Legends of Charleston, South Carolina. Pages 46-49. Denise Roffe

Stphilipschurchsc.org/History

https://charlestonterrors.com/haunted-charleston-most-haunted-places-3-st-phillips-episcopal-church/