Worship by the Sea: A history of Isle of Palms’ churches

Presently, there are four churches offering worship services on the Isle of Palms, including DeepWater, First United Methodist, St. Mark’s Lutheran and Isle of Palms Baptist, each with their own unique histories.

A Divine Vision
Prior to 1950, people living on Isle of Palms who wanted to attend a Methodist worship service had to travel to Mount Pleasant. First United Methodist was dedicated on March 30, 1952, the endeavor of a founding group of 25 residents who collaborated to establish a church on the island. Developer and island visionary J.C. Long donated land for the church. The congregation met at the Isle of Palms Exchange Club during construction.

Front facing view of Isle of Palms, South Carolina's First United Methodist Church and its steeple. — Exterior of First United Methodist Church

Following steady growth in ministries and membership, an educational wing was built in 1965, and a fellowship hall was added in 1972. Throughout the years, the church has faced adversity, most notably Hurricane Hugo in 1989, but its members persevered and continued serving the needs of the community despite these hardships. Further expansion occurred in 2001 with the addition of a new Administration and Youth Building, an expanded Sanctuary and the renovation of the Dangerfield Education Wing. In 2010, First United officially purchased the property at 14 21st Ave. Pastor Charles Phillips currently leads the congregation.

St. Mark’s Lutheran originated when Pastor J. Marion Rhoden was appointed in 1952 by the South Carolina Synod, United Lutheran Church in America, to develop a congregation on Sullivan’s Island. Organized with 50 charter members, the congregation initially worshiped in the old Fort Moultrie Chapel. In 1972, the Synod and congregation decided to move the church to the Isle of Palms, holding services in the IOP Exchange Club building.

The new facilities at 300 Palm Blvd. (its current location) were dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1975. In 1987, the Reverend Otto Carl Peterson Memorial Playground was dedicated and a new church sign erected. St. Mark’s endured a major setback in 1989 when Hugo damaged the building. However, they too were resilient, and renovations were completed, and the sanctuary rededicated in 1990. Later additions include the dedications of the Proctor Family Memorial Garden and Columbarium in 2015. Pastor Denise Seymour has served as St. Mark’s interim pastor since October.

Exterior picture of IOPSC's IOP Baptist Church. — Exterior of IOP Baptist Church

Divine Intervention
Part of the island community for over 60 years, Isle of Palms Baptist at 14 24th Ave. is a small, quaint church founded in 1958. Only a few years after opening, an education building was added, in which they launched a full-time daycare.

IOP Baptist played a role in Hugo recovery in 1989, when contractors converted the upstairs of the education building into living quarters for families to stay while their island homes were being rebuilt. The classrooms and office were turned into bedrooms and bathrooms, and a kitchen and great room were added. They have since updated the space for families and church organizations to use for vacation.

IOP Baptist later partnered with Agape Ministries in the early ’90s to serve breakfast to the needy in downtown Charleston and were involved in the Wild Dunes’ Resort Ministry where they held ‘Worship by the Sea’ for homeowners and vacationers during the summer months.

DeepWater Church started on IOP in 2018 with the goal of being a church that is a faith family, passionately pursuing Jesus and deeply loving the island and beyond. DeepWater was started by The Church at LifePark (Mount Pleasant) when they sent out Pastor Paul Coleman, Jessica Coleman and nine others.

Exterior picture of St. Mark's Lutheran Church's congregation hall, on IOP, SC. — St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

Throughout its short history, DeepWater has sought to be a multi-generational church that offers opportunities for children, youth and adults. The church also joyfully serves the needy in Charleston and the Dominican Republic.

An important part of DeepWater’s six-year existence is that they have been a ‘church on the move,’ meeting at different locations on Sundays. Currently church services are held at 9:15 a.m. either on the beach at 25th Avenue or inside a local building during colder months. Sunday services include hospitality, passionate singing and preaching from the Bible.

All the island’s churches welcome area residents and visitors alike to join them in worship and fellowship.

By Colin McCandless