Camden in Kershaw County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Monroe Boykin Park
Photographed By Anna Inbody, April 20, 2012
1. Monroe Boykin Park Marker
In the 1798 city plan, this five-acre park was laid out as a public square. In 1900 the Seaboard Air Line Railway built a passenger depot next to it, on the SW corner of Chesnut & Gordon Sts. The city beautified the square to welcome visitors and named it Seaboard Park. After the depot moved in 1937, the area near it was named Seaboard Park. The present name, first given to an African-American suburb absorbed into Kirkwood, honors Rev. Monroe Boykin.
(Reverse)
Rev. Monroe Boykin (d. 1904), born into slavery, became a community leader after the Civil War. After emancipation he was given two tracts of land nearby by the heirs of his former owner. In 1866 Boykin and other freedmen withdrew from Camden (First) Baptist Church to form Mount Moriah Baptist Church on Broad St. Boykin, its first pastor, served there for 34 years. He helped found many churches in Kershaw, Clarendon, Sumter, and Lancaster Counties.
Erected 2012 by City Camden. (Marker Number 28-17.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.
Location. 34° 15.349′ N, 80° 36.742′ W. Marker is in Camden, South Carolina, in Kershaw
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Samuel Mathis House (approx. 0.3 miles away); James Polk Dickinson (approx. 0.4 miles away); Monument to Lt. Col. James Polk Dickinson (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Americans Return (approx. 0.4 miles away); Confederate War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Monument to Kershaw County’s Confederate Dead (approx. 0.4 miles away); Action at Logtown (approx. 0.4 miles away); Camden (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.
More about this marker. Although the marker is cast as erected in 2011, it was not installed and unveiled until April 17, 2012.
Photographed By Anna Inbody, April 20, 2012
2. Monroe Boykin Park Marker Reverse
Photographed By Anna Inbody, April 20, 2012
3. Overview
Photographed By Anna Inbody, April 20, 2012
4. Monroe Boykin Park
Photographed By Anna Inbody, April 20, 2012
5. Mt Moriah Baptist Church
Founded by Rev. Boykin as mentioned on the marker
Photographed By Anna Inbody, April 20, 2012
6. Cornerstone
Mt. Moriah Bapt. Church. Rev Monroe Boykin Pastor 1891
Photographed By Anna Inbody, April 20, 2012
7. Monument in front of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
Photographed By Anna Inbody, April 20, 2012
8. Monument in front of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
Rev. Monroe Boykin
Born in Kershaw Co. S.C. March 1819; Died Dec. 1, 1904. A loving father, loyal citizen and faithful minister of the Gospel.
Photographed By Anna Inbody, April 20, 2012
9. Monument in front of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church - side
Erected by his white and colored friends, The Wateree Baptist Association of which he was moderator 23 years, and the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, which he pastored 26 years. "Servant of God, Well done."
Photographed By Anna Inbody, April 20, 2012
10. Mt Moriah Baptist Church Sign
Plaque at the bottom:
In memory of Deacon Tommy Carter
The Children
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,118 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on April 20, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
