Old Sheldon Church Ruins (Prince William Parish Church)
The Old Sheldon Church Ruins, located in the Yemassee area of northern Beaufort County, stand as one of the most evocative and photographically iconic sites in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Originally known as the Prince William Parish Church, this Greek Revival-style structure was built between 1745 and 1753 by William Bull, a prominent colonial figure whose family estate, Sheldon, sat nearby.
A Stronghold of Patriot Resistance
During the Revolutionary War, the church was far more than a house of worship; it was a strategic center for the Beaufort District Patriot movement.
- Militia Muster Site: The church grounds served as a primary muster site for local Patriot militia units, where men from the surrounding plantations gathered to organize defenses against British incursions.
- The Gunpowder Secret: Following the Philippa Affair in July 1775, a portion of the 16,000 pounds of captured British gunpowder was transported to this site. According to historical records, 7,000 pounds of the powder was hidden within a concealed chamber in the Bull family burial vault on the church grounds before being shipped north to assist George Washington at the Siege of Boston.
The Destruction of 1779
The church’s role as a Patriot hub made it a high-priority target for the British. During the 1779 “War of Plunder,” a British force led by the local Loyalist Andrew DeVeaux IV marched through the parish. DeVeaux, who had intimate knowledge of the area, ordered the church burned to the ground to deprive the Patriots of their meeting place and supply depot.
Resurrection and Final Ruin
The resilient parishioners rebuilt the church within the original walls in 1826, only to see it burned again in 1865 during the Civil War by Federal troops under General William T. Sherman. Today, the massive brick walls and towering columns remain standing—a testament to the enduring spirit of the Prince William Parish and the heavy price paid for American independence.
