South Carolina Church Damaged by August Earthquake

The sanctuary of a Charleston church has been closed because of damage from last month’s earthquake in Virginia.

In a letter to parishioners, the leaders of Grace Episcopal Church said seismic measurements taken last week showed significant movement in a wall of the sanctuary. Measurements over the weekend showed smaller movements.

The movements are thought to be bricks separating from each other over time since the Aug. 23 earthquake felt along the East Coast.

Grace Church had been undergoing renovations but the sanctuary had been in use in recent months.

The sanctuary will remain closed until engineers determine it is safe. A garden and playground outside the sanctuary wall also have been closed.