Waverly in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Allen University
Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 28, 2012
1. Allen University Marker
Allen University, chartered in 1880, was founded by the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church. It had its origin in Payne Institute, founded in 1870 in Cokesbury, in Greenwood County. In 1880 the S.C. Conference of the A.M.E. Church voted to move Payne Institute to Columbia. It opened in Columbia in 1881 and was renamed in honor of Bishop Richard Allen (1760-1831), founder of the A.M.E. Church. The first university building on this site was in use by 1888.
Reverse
Allen University, founded to educate ministers for the A.M.E. Church, also had primary and secondary courses, and college-level liberal-arts courses. It also offered courses in the arts and had one of the few black law schools in the South before 1900. Its primary and secondary programs ended in the 1920s and 1930s. Allen was also a significant center for civil rights activities in Columbia from the 1930s through the 1960s.
Erected 2012 by The Historic Columbia Foundation, The City of Columbia, and the S.C. Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 40-152.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights
this page online
Location. 34° 0.63′ N, 81° 1.252′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Waverly. Marker is on Harden Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1530 Harden Street, Columbia SC 29204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Lighthouse & Informer / John H. McCray (within shouting distance of this marker); Carver Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Churches Are Still Burning (within shouting distance of this marker); Waverly (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Matilda A. Evans House (about 400 feet away); Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital (about 700 feet away); Visanska-Starks House (about 700 feet away); First Calvary Baptist Church (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
More about this marker. Even though the marker states it was erected in 2011, it was installed in 2012.
Regarding Allen University.
Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 28, 2012
2. Allen University Marker Reverse
Allen University ** (added 1975 - - #75001705)
1530 Harden St. , Columbia
♦ Historic Significance: Event
♦ Area of Significance: Black, Education
♦ Period of Significance: 1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899
♦ Owner: Private
♦ Historic Function: Education
♦ Current Function: Education
Among the many private schools and universities for African Americans founded during the post-bellum period, Allen University was probably the first founded and operated by African Americans in South Carolina. Established by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Allen University was influenced by the denomination’s emphasis on education and a trained clergy. Named for Richard Allen, founder of the A.M.E. Church, Allen University was one of several universities established by the A.M.E. Church in the South following the Civil War. Begun four years after the University of South Carolina was closed to African Americans, Allen helped fill the pressing need for African American education in South Carolina. The university purchased its first property in Columbia in 1881. The first major building was erected and in use on the present site in 1888. The campus historic district contains four major buildings, ranging in date from 1891 to 1941, situated around a campus green. The architecture
Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 28, 2012
3. Allen University Marker
Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 28, 2012
4. Allen University Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 28, 2012
5. Allen University Marker, looking north along Harden Street
Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 28, 2012
6. Allen University Sign
Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 28, 2012
7. Marble plaque on brick column near marker
A. U. (Allen University) 1880
Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 28, 2012
8. Marble plaque on brick column near marker
High School Class 1927 (as mentioned on the marker, primary and secondary classes were offered in the school's early days)
South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 1975
9. Allen University , Arnette Hall, Rear Elevation Constructed: 1896-1905
South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 1975
10. Allen University,Joseph Simon Flipper Library Constructed: 1941
South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 1975
11. Allen University, Chappelle Administration Building Constructed: 1922-1925
South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 1975
12. Allen University, Coppin Hall Constructed: 1906-1907
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 28, 2012
13. Allen University Marker, center, at the Chappelle Building
Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,419 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 28, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. 5. submitted on March 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 28, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on March 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 13. submitted on March 29, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Mike Stroud was the editor who published this page.
