The Unitarian Church of Charleston is unique among the churchyards of Charleston’s lower peninsula. The property is a National Landmark with a Gothic Revival structure and an unusually well vegetated churchyard. The churchyard was laid out at a time when the romantic and picturesque was the trend in landscape design and it has retained or regained much of this character. For the past several decades it has been maintained to this style, with monthly volunteer clean-ups and direction from the Churchyard Committee. At this time the best efforts of the congregation are not sufficient to provide the appropriate setting for the landmark building.
Recognizing the need for maintenance guidelines and a master plan identifying opportunities for future improvements, the Vestry of the Unitarian Church in Charleston contracted with the consulting team in October 2019. A steering committee was formed with members of the Vestry, Churchyard Committee and staff members.
To begin the process, a vision statement and goals and objectives were established with the steering committee. These guiding principles would provide the basis for planning efforts, including recommendations for maintenance, management, and proposed improvements in the churchyard.
A historical document search of existing maps, plans, plats, reports, photographs, and prior research was conducted to gain further insight into the churchyard’s inception and past planning efforts. Historical information provided insight and useful information regarding maintenance from the 20th century in the form of committee reports and correspondence which accented long term opportunities and issues for the site. A base map was created utilizing archival maps and digital resources provided by Robert Jontos, Henry J. Smith Architects, and Charleston County Geographic Information Services.
The existing conditions of the churchyard were inventoried and analyzed in winter and spring of 2020. Drawing from the inventory and zones that were established in a report prepared by Hugh Dargan Associates, Inc., in 1990, a plant materials survey and mapping exercise was conducted, identifying invasive and aggressive plants for removal. A preliminary clean-up by Planet Green Landscaping LLC took place March 17, 2020 to remove unwanted vegetation and to reveal for assessment the condition of the structural features in the churchyard. The built features were then mapped and analyzed in the Spring.
Using the site inventory and analysis a summary of existing conditions was prepared and opportunities and constraints for the site were identified. Based on these assessments two conceptual master plans were prepared for review by the steering committee.
The condensed final Master Plan and recommendations can be downloaded here:
