Mid Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

At about the same time through the influence of Captain John Stoney and Mr. Isaac Fripp another congregation was formed and a church of wood, on a brick foundation, 40 x 30 ft. was built on Hilton Head Island. Divine Service was performed alternately at each church (St. Luke's Parish Church and Zion Chapel of Ease,) and since there was no Parsonage, the Minister resided with his parishioners.

In 1833, the Rt. Rev. Nathaniel Bowen, Third Bishop of South Carolina, consecrated Zion Chapel, it having been, the record cryptically says, "thrown out of use as to the worship for which it had been originally erected, but now happily recovered." Diocesan records show that Divine Services were regularly held in Zion Church until November 1861 when invasion of the Island by federal armed forces necessitated the flight of the island's white population. When the Rev. Dr. James Stoney (1820-1870), a great grandson of Captain John Stoney, builder of Zion Chapel, was able to return to his rectorship of the Church in the Cross in Bluffton in 1867, his 1868 report says that Zion Chapel, having been built of wood, had entirely disappeared, it's Eucharistic silver and all it's furnishings, altar, prayer desks, pulpit, pews were stolen.

Worst of all for Zion Chapel was the fact that all of its members were dispersed, dispossessed of their homes and property, never to return to Hilton Head Island again. Today, only the cemetery remains.
At about the same time through the influence of Captain John Stoney and Mr. Isaac Fripp another congregation was formed and a church of wood, on a brick foundation, 40 x 30 ft. was built on Hilton Head Island. Divine Service was performed alternately at each church (St. Luke's Parish Church and Zion Chapel of Ease,) and since there was no Parsonage, the Minister resided with his parishioners.

In 1833, the Rt. Rev. Nathaniel Bowen, Third Bishop of South Carolina, consecrated Zion Chapel, it having been, the record cryptically says, "thrown out of use as to the worship for which it had been originally erected, but now happily recovered." Diocesan records show that Divine Services were regularly held in Zion Church until November 1861 when invasion of the Island by federal armed forces necessitated the flight of the island's white population. When the Rev. Dr. James Stoney (1820-1870), a great grandson of Captain John Stoney, builder of Zion Chapel, was able to return to his rectorship of the Church in the Cross in Bluffton in 1867, his 1868 report says that Zion Chapel, having been built of wood, had entirely disappeared, it's Eucharistic silver and all it's furnishings, altar, prayer desks, pulpit, pews were stolen.

Worst of all for Zion Chapel was the fact that all of its members were dispersed, dispossessed of their homes and property, never to return to Hilton Head Island again. Today, only the cemetery remains.
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Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Mid Island Hotel Deals

Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island

Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island

4.5 out of 5
1 Hotel Circle Hilton Head Island SC
The price is AU$357 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
AU$357
9 Mar - 10 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury resort in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,424 reviews)
Rooms were in ok condition. Bedside tables drawers would not stay shut. Bathroom door was extremely loud and creeky. Staff was fantastic. Beach was fantastic. Area was phenomenal.

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island
Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

4 out of 5
23 Ocean Lane Hilton Head Island SC
The price is AU$479 per night from 4 Mar to 5 Mar
AU$479
4 Mar - 5 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
Excellent, we had shower problems and they fix it immediately

Reviewed on 23 Feb 2026

Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
2 Grasslawn Ave Hilton Head Island SC
The price is AU$437 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
AU$437
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy 3 outdoor pools, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
Room was great staff was excellent

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Hampton Inn Hilton Head

Hampton Inn Hilton Head

2.5 out of 5
1 Dillon Road Hilton Head Island SC
The price is AU$161 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
AU$161
9 Mar - 10 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
Room clean, staff friendly and efficient. Only problem was breakfast attendant was not friendly at all. Last day there no bananas or yogurt Pleasant stay.

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Hampton Inn Hilton Head
Island Links Resort by Palmera

Island Links Resort by Palmera

3 out of 5
1 Coggins Point Road Hilton Head Island SC
Stay at this golf aparthotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (328 reviews)
Clean room and responsive customer services. I was not able to use my included 1 hr tennis court reservation because it wasn’t clearly mention that you have to pay equipment rental fee unless you bring your own. I was bit disappointed. It was overall good experience.

Reviewed on 2 Jan 2026

Island Links Resort by Palmera
Island Escape! Pool, Elevator, Pinball, Foosball, Arcade, Nursery,Infrared Sauna

Island Escape! Pool, Elevator, Pinball, Foosball, Arcade, Nursery,Infrared Sauna

Hilton Head Island SC
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a sauna. Popular attractions Palmetto Dunes Club and Coligny ...
10/10 Exceptional! (36 reviews)
This home is top notch!! The kitchen is well equipped and modern. High end appliances and 2 full size refrigerators!!! Plus a wet bar in living room with an ice machine…each en-suite room is so comfortable and decorated in a different theme. Huge TV in living room. We loved the pool and hot tub! ...

Reviewed on 4 Jan 2026

Island Escape! Pool, Elevator, Pinball, Foosball, Arcade, Nursery,Infrared Sauna
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

The Annual Holiday Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.

Other neighbourhoods around Mid Island

Shelter Cove, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA

Shelter Cove

While Shelter Cove may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Shelter Cove Harbour and The Golf Courses of Palmetto Dunes.

Shelter Cove
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Folly Field

If you're spending some time in Folly Field, Folly Field Beach Park and Folly Field Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Folly Field
Sunset at the beach club. 😎

North End

If you're spending some time in North End, Country Club of Hilton Head and Coastal Discovery Museum are top sights worth seeing.

North End
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Spanish Wells

While Spanish Wells isn't home to many top sights, Heron Point by Pete Dye at Sea Pines Resort and Shelter Cove Harbour are some notable places to visit nearby.

Spanish Wells
Walkway to the beach.

North Forest Beach

If you're spending some time in North Forest Beach, Coligny Plaza and Coligny Beach are top sights worth seeing.

North Forest Beach
Sunset at Harbour Town.

South End

If you're spending some time in South End, Sea Pines Forest Preserve and Heron Point by Pete Dye at Sea Pines Resort are top sights worth seeing.

South End


Mid Island Travel Guide

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