Evangelical Lutheran Charities Society v. South Carolina National Bank

FINNEY, Chief Justice:

This is an action construing a testamentary trust. The circuit court first held that historic preservation of the exteriors of certain properties in the City of Charleston did not confer a sufficient public benefit so as to render a trust established for this purpose a charitable trust. In a second order, the court construed the trust and held that the Trustee had properly managed its assets. We reverse the first order, and affirm the second.

Respondents-Appellants (Beneficiaries) are the charitable beneficiaries of a testamentary trust created under John Muller’s will.…