Many Charleston area churches host spring tea rooms where old favorites like okra soup, chicken salad, shrimp salad, and tomato pie as well as desserts such as Tipsy Pudding, Hummingbird Cake, and Lady Baltimore Cake, are made and served by volunteers. The tea rooms usually operate for only a week or two in the spring and are open only for lunch. There are often gift shops offering handmade items for sale. Most offer an opportunity to tour the historic churches and grounds. Below are some of the most notable.
St. Paul’s Summerville, Tea Room and Gift Shop, is open February 26 to March 1 and March 4 to 8, 2024, from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. The church is located at 316 West Carolina Avenue, Summerville. For more information, call 843-873-1991 or click here.
Old St. Andrew’s Parish Church, 2604 Ashley River Road, is hosting the Annual Spring Tea Room March 4 to 9 and 11 to 16, 2024, with lunch served from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. To make reservations for parties of three or more, call 843-990-6281. Reservation line opens February 19. For more information, click here.
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Tea Room will be held from April 22 to 26, 2024, from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. The church is located on the corner of Church and Cumberland Streets in downtown Charleston. There is also a small gift shop. For more information, click here.
Grace Church Cathedral Tea Room, 98 Wentworth Street, will be held from May 27 through June 1, 2024. There is also a gift shop, the Church Mouse Boutique. Takeout orders are offered when the tea room is open. For more information, call 843-723-4575. To see the menu and other information, click here.
Although details are still incomplete, Second Presbyterian Church’s “Seconds Please” Tea Room, 342 Meeting Street, will be held in the Parish Hall. For dates and more information, call 843-723-9237.
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: flickr)