Harleston Village in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bethel Methodist Church

— United Methodist Church Registered Historic Site No. 220 —

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 14, 2011

1. Bethel Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. Bethel Methodist Church
lot donated by
Thomas Bennett
A.D. 1795
Church dedicated 1798
Moved across street
for use of colored
people and present
church dedicated
Aug. 7, 1853
Parsonage once
occupied by
Bishop Francis Asbury
1st M. Church in city
The Blue Meeting House
was in [sic]
Cumberland Street

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Francis Asbury, Traveling Methodist Preacher, and the United Methodist Church Historic Sites series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1964.

Location. 32° 47.039′ N, 79° 56.453′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in Harleston Village. Marker is on Pitt Street near Calhoun Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 57 Pitt Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Bethel Methodist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Bethel United Methodist Church (about 300 feet away); Benjamin Lucas House (about 500 feet away); The Farr House (about 600 feet away); William Blacklock House

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 600 feet away); Cameron House (about 600 feet away); 66 Bull Street The John Cart House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kornahrens-Guenveur House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Regarding Bethel Methodist Church. National Register of Historic Places:
Bethel Methodist Church (added 1974 - - #74002260)
♦ Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
♦ Architectural Style: Greek Revival
♦ Period of Significance: 1850-1874
Bethel Methodist Church (built 1853-1854), located on the site of Charleston’s first Methodist church building, is an exceptional example of antebellum Greek Revival ecclesiastical architecture. Except for the rather steeply pitched roof, the church is one of the better examples of Greek Doric temple architecture in the state. Of stuccoed brick painted white, the building has a massive, giant-order hexastyle Doric portico with a simple Doric pediment and entablature. Designed by a Mr. Curtis, Bethel Church has pilastered walls, and there is one tier of large windows on each side of the structure; the building has a gabled roof and a main entrance

Bethel Methodist Church on Pitt Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 14, 2011

2. Bethel Methodist Church on Pitt Street

which is pedimented with consoles. The roof is more steeply pitched than is usual in a Doric temple to allow rainwater to drain more quickly, thus helping to eliminate the possibility of leaks. The portico withstood the 1886 earthquake intact and stands today unaltered. The auditorium-plan interior has a cove ceiling. The church has a cemetery with crepe myrtles on the north side. Listed in the National Register November 20, 1974. (South Carolina Department of Archives and History)

Bethel Methodist Church Marker, seen at far left image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 14, 2011

3. Bethel Methodist Church Marker, seen at far left

Bethel Methodist Church National Register Medallion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 14, 2011

4. Bethel Methodist Church National Register Medallion

Bethel Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 14, 2011

5. Bethel Methodist Church

Medallion for United Methodist
Historic Site No. 220

Bethel Methodist Church, Pitt and Calhoun Streets image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 14, 2011

6. Bethel Methodist Church, Pitt and Calhoun Streets

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 652 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 28, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.