The Old Sheldon Church Ruins, built in  1753, has been a Lowcountry staple for photographers, history enthusiasts, and tourists for decades—and its legacy as a pre-Revolutionary War church lasts nearly three centuries.

In a recent effort to save the church from alleged vandalism, a fence was erected around the base of the church by its owner, St. Helena’s Church, to prevent visitors from getting close. While changes to the site are certainly necessary for the church’s continued longevity, this structure excludes all visitors from entering the area close to the structure itself—in turn prohibiting the Lowcountry from enjoying the historical site.

The church’s potential deterioration is especially worrisome as in 2016 it was reported the site of the ruins was experiencing difficulties, especially with funding—having only $4,000 annually to upkeep the area. 

As the church is part of the history and culture of South Carolina and the United States, it is only right that the people of the state and country have access to it. By making the Old Sheldon Church Ruins into a public historic site similar to the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site or even simply a part of the National Register of Historic Places, the site can be preserved without the need of a permanently locked fence. Annual church services taking place here can still continue—the church is simply able to receive government funding this way. There is space in the parking lot across the street in which park rangers could reside in campers or where a small shelter could be created in order to constantly supervise the site. Government funding would majorly benefit this historic area too, as more money could go towards preservation rather than upkeep. 

With South Carolina/the Federal Government’s protection, the Old Sheldon Church Ruins can be preserved for generations to come. The Lowcountry’s history will continue to draw visitors, benefitting the economy of the region and leaving a lasting impression of its beauty and history for at least another 266 years to come.