Brunswick Town

North Carolina's ghost towns start with America's first gold rush in 1799 and run through timber and textile mill villages.

St. Philip's Church, Brunswick Town, is a ruined parish church in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. The Anglican church was erected in 1768 and destroyed in 1776. The ruins are located beside the Cape Fear River in the Brunswick Town Historic District, along with Fort Anderson, Russelborough, and the nearby Orton Plantation. During the American Revolutionary War, British forces attacked Brunswick Town in 1776 and burned the church. Before its demise, the church was considered one of the finest religious structures in North Carolina.

The on-the-ground condition of Brunswick Town is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Brunswick Town is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.