Beaufort in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Wesley Methodist Church
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
1. Wesley Methodist Church Marker
(side 1 faces south church right of marker)
(side 1 faces south church right of marker)
This church, established in 1833, was the first Methodist church in Beaufort and was founded as a mission to slaves and free blacks here and on the neighboring Sea Islands. The congregation had both black and white members but many more black members in the antebellum era. This church, first built in the "meeting house" form common to the Methodist church, was dedicated by Bishop William Capers in 1849.
In 1861, after the Federal occupation of Beaufort and the Sea Islands, this church hosted a school for freedmen and continued to serve its black members. After the Civil War, it was formally affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Northern Methodist church 1844-1939. Its first black minister was appointed in 1873, during Reconstruction. The church has flourished in the years since.
Erected 2014 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Old Commons Neighborhood Association. (Marker Number 7-49.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location. 32° 26.118′ N, 80° 40.299′ W. Marker is in Beaufort, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. It is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry and on the Sea Islands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. 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: Baptist Church of Beaufort (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named The Baptist Church of Beaufort (about 500 feet away); St. Peter Catholic Church (about 500 feet away); Berean Church / J. I. Washington Branch Library (about 600 feet away); Beaufort College (about 700 feet away); Grand Army of the Republic Hall (about 800 feet away); Carteret Street United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaufort.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
2. Wesley Methodist Church Marker
(side 2 faces north church left of marker)
(side 2 faces north church left of marker)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
3. Wesley Methodist Church Marker
(side 1; wide view; church in background)
(side 1; wide view; church in background)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
4. Wesley Methodist Church
(northwest corner view; church cemetery on left)
(northwest corner view; church cemetery on left)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
5. Wesley Methodist Church
(front entrance; view from West Street)
(front entrance; view from West Street)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
6. Wesley Methodist Church
(southwest corner view; marker visible near center)
(southwest corner view; marker visible near center)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 496 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 5, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
