City Seeks Independent Review and Community Input
The city of Charleston has paused the demolition of a historic East Side church, formerly known as Mt. Sinai Holiness Church of Deliverance. The church, originally named the Emma Abbott Memorial Chapel, is located at 52 Cooper St. near America Street.
Columbia-based Styx Development purchased the property with initial plans to renovate the church into six residences, while preserving the exterior and rebuilding the interior. Additionally, plans included constructing a new building with two townhomes on the western side of the property. However, District 4 Councilmember Aaron Polkey stated that the developer contacted the city after identifying serious structural concerns. City staff, including a structural engineer, fire safety, and preservation officials, reviewed these concerns.
The church has previously been described as being in significant disrepair, with holes in the roof allowing water into the building. Councilmember Polkey emphasized the importance of community input, noting the church’s significance to the East Side and to Charleston African American history.
