Spirited Brunch, a free and self-guided snack tour of downtown Charleston’s historic prayerful spaces, returns on Sunday, May 3

One of Charleston’s favorite and most meaningful springtime events will return for a ninth year on Sunday, May 3, when houses of worship across the peninsula will open their doors to residents and tourists interested in learning more about the city’s diverse faith traditions and how they’re expressed through food.

The free event annually draws hundreds of tourgoers eager to understand the stories behind the okra soup ladled out at Mother Emanuel AME Church, the fruit pies sliced at First Church of Christ, Scientist, the hummus shared at the Central Mosque of Charleston, and the pilau served with collard greens at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, to name just four of the nearly two dozen dishes offered without charge at as many venues.

Many of the city’s most historic buildings are open for sanctuary tours during the event, including South Carolina’s only Catholic cathedral, the only active Huguenot church in the Western Hemisphere, and the oldest U.S. synagogue in continuous use. Spirited Brunch is open to all, without fee or preregistration.

Participants are encouraged to start whenever and wherever they choose during the 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. event on Sunday May, 3, including a pair of headquarters at the College of Charleston’s Alumni Center and Pink Cactus, both of which will provide free printed maps, hand fans, and bottled water. Additionally, several congregations without downtown locations are represented at those sites.