Schism in South Carolina

One of the defining periods of our diocese’s long history was marked by a schism that began in earnest in 2012. The fourteenth bishop of our diocese, Mark Lawrence, led an effort that sought to separate from The Episcopal Church despite his stated intent at the time of his election in 2006 to “remain in The Episcopal Church.”  Lawrence led clergy and congregations out of the diocese in protest of the Church’s beliefs regarding inclusivity, particularly involving allowing women and members of the LGBTQ community to serve in roles of leadership, and allowing (but not requiring) clergy to bless same-sex unions.

Over the course of the next decade, there were a number of legal decisions that affected those who left the diocese and those who remained with The Episcopal Church. One of the most significant legal decisions came from the federal courts in 2019, declaring that only those who remained with The Episcopal Church had a legal right to claim themselves as part of the historic Diocese of South Carolina.

Though the South Carolina Supreme Court initially ruled in 2017 that the 29 congregations that attempted to leave The Episcopal Church, as well as St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, should be returned to the diocese that remained loyal to The Episcopal Church. Unfortunately, what was thought to be the “final” decision of the highest court in South Carolina turned out not to be the case.

In April 2022, the South Carolina Supreme Court again issued a ruling, this time saying that 14 churches that left The Episcopal Church and its affiliated diocese, as well as all diocesan property and St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center, did so without having property ownership and they should be returned. After appeals for rehearing, this decision was further amended in August 2022, reducing the number of returning congregations to eight, but still returning all diocesan property and St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center. Congregations were returned beginning in July 2022 with St. John’s, Johns Island, and ending with the return of Good Shepherd, Charleston (now St. Peter’s, Charleston) in late 2023.

The articles below track key legal decisions during the course of the schism.