Updated January 2022
Sheldon’s Church Ruins
When I saw Sheldon’s Church ruins online, I knew I wanted to stop and explore the site. When I want to see if there’s anything fun to see in a particular area, Pinterest is one of the places I look. It’s a great resource for travel information.
Getting There
On our way south from New England to The Florida Keys, we made a stop in Yemassee, South Carolina. Yemassee is just off Interstate 95 so it’s not far out of the way as you travel through. The parking area is huge and just across the road from Sheldon’s Church ruins so you could stop with your RV.
There are three church ruins in this general area but Sheldon’s Church ruins were the closest of the three. Our campground was only fifteen miles away.
History of the Ruins
Sheldon’s Chruch was built in the mid-1700s adjacent to Newberry Plantation, the plantation of William Bull. During the American Revolution in 1779, the church was burned by British troops. In 1825 and 1826 the church was rebuilt using the remaining columns and walls. William Bull is buried on the church grounds.
Sadly, Sheldon’s Chruch was burned a second time on January 14, 1865, near the end of the Civil War by General Sherman’s troops. It was never rebuilt.
The grounds are surrounded by live oaks dripping Spanish moss. It’s beautiful and a bit eerie.
Behind the ruins, you’ll find the tombs of the Bull family who owned the bordering plantation. I found it interesting that they choose the church as their final resting place because they passed away between the time it was first burned down and before it was rebuilt.
You might also like, My Visit to Haunting Oak Alley Plantation.
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On the way back to the campground, I spotted this beautiful driveway and was able to stop and get a few photos. Its classic southern charm was captivating. According to the sign, the property is Tomotley Plantation.
No one else was there while we were visiting so Murphy was able to run off-leash. We both really enjoyed our visit and would recommend it to other history lovers.
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Great pictures. Loved all the brick.