Beaufort in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Berean Church
⎯⎯⎯
J. I. Washington Branch Library

Berean Church Marker<br>(<i>side 1 • faces north • church on right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019

1. Berean Church Marker
(side 1 • faces north • church on right)

Inscription.
Berean Church. Berean Presbyterian Church was founded by Samuel J. Bampfield, an influential African American political figure during Reconstruction. Bampfield served in the S.C. House of Representatives, was Beaufort's postmaster, and clerk of the county court. In 1892 the congregation purchased this lot and constructed a church in the Gothic Revival style. Solomon P. Hood, who later was appointed U.S. Minister to Liberia, was the first pastor.

J. I. Washington Branch Library. In 1931 the building was purchased by the Beaufort Township Library and converted for use as a segregated branch library for African Americans. It operated in that capacity until 1965 when this branch closed and Township Library was desegregated. The building was later used as headquarters for the Neighborhood Youth Corps and in 1993 was purchased by USC Beaufort for use as an art studio.

Erected 2014 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Beaufort County Historical Society, USC Beaufort, and the Old Commons Neighborhood Association. (Marker Number 7-52.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 32° 26.073′ N, 80° 40.202′ W. Marker is in Beaufort, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. It is on Carteret Street (Business U.S. 21) south of Prince Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, directly in front of the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 602 Carteret Street, Beaufort SC 29902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry

and on the Sea Islands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically

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in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First African Baptist Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carteret Street United Methodist Church (about 400 feet away); St. Peter Catholic Church (about 500 feet away); Wesley Methodist Church (about 600 feet away); Beth Israel Synagogue (about 600 feet away); Dr. Henry Woodward, Surgeon 1646-1686 (about 700 feet away); Carnegie Library (about 700 feet away); Beaufort Arsenal (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaufort.

Regarding Berean Church / J. I. Washington Branch Library. Building is currently in use as an USC Beaufort art studio.

Also see . . .
1. The Berean Presbyterian Church. The

J. I. Washington Branch Library Marker<br>(<i>side 2 • faces south • library on left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019

2. J. I. Washington Branch Library Marker
(side 2 • faces south • library on left)

Berean Presbyterian Church operated up until the late 1920’s, when the majority of the congregation relocated to nearby churches. In 1931, the Beaufort Township Library purchased the property and transformed it into an African-American library branch with a space reserved for community meetings. But by 1965, the branch was forced to close because of the desegregation of the South. (Submitted on May 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Berean Church / J.I. Washington Branch Library. The Berean Presbyterian Church was constructed c. 1900 and was used as an African American Presbyterian Church until at least 1924. The building was purchased from the synod and became the library for the county’s African American residents from 1932 to 1965. The Carpenter Gothic building is included in the Beaufort Historic District. (Submitted on May 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

J. I. Washington Branch Library Marker (<i>side 2; wide view; library building on left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019

3. J. I. Washington Branch Library Marker (side 2; wide view; library building on left)

Berean Church / J. I. Washington Branch Library<br>(<i>southeast corner view from Carteret St.</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019

4. Berean Church / J. I. Washington Branch Library
(southeast corner view from Carteret St.)

Berean Church / J. I. Washington Branch Library<br>(<i>northeast; marker visible left of center</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019

5. Berean Church / J. I. Washington Branch Library
(northeast; marker visible left of center)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 553 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Berean Church⎯⎯⎯J. I. Washington Branch Library

Berean Church
⎯⎯⎯
J. I. Washington Branch Library