Summerton in Clarendon County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

St. Mark A.M.E.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 6, 2022

1. St. Mark A.M.E. Marker (Side 1)

Inscription.
(Side 1)
In 1885, sixty-five former members of Liberty Hill A.M.E. Church. (3 mi. SE) organized this congregation to have a church closer to their homes. They first met in a small frame building that fronted Main Street. In 1905, members bought the Old Summerton Presbyterian Church building and had it moved to this site, razing the old church. That second church was destroyed in 1915. Congregants then built a third frame church, which was 1-story with a 2-story central bell tower. (Continued on other side) (Side 2)
(Continued from other side) In the 1940s, St. Mark A.M.E. became an important site for NAACP-led efforts challenging inequality and segregation in Summerton schools. Long associated with Scotts Branch School, which was located just N of the church before moving to 4th Street, St. Mark A.M.E. hosted fundraisers, rallies, and public meetings that culminated in Briggs V. Elliott, one of five cases decided in the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark 1954 ruling that school segregation is unconstitutional.

Erected 2020 by Summerton Community Action Group. (Marker Number 14-27.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans

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• Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 33° 36.527′ N, 80° 21.277′ W. Marker is in Summerton, South Carolina, in Clarendon County. Marker is at the intersection of 1st Street and Larry King Highway, on the right when traveling north on 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 1st Street, Summerton SC 29148, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Elusive Francis Marion, 1780-1781 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Patriot Departs to Ride with Marion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Senn's Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rev. J.A. De Laine (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harry Briggs (approx. 0.2 miles away); Levi Pearson Sr. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Scott’s Branch School/Briggs V. Elliot (approx. ¼ mile away); Briggs Family House/Briggs V. Elliott (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerton.

Also see . . . Separate Is Not Equal. (Submitted on June 12, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

St. Mark A.M.E. Marker (Side 2) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 6, 2022

2. St. Mark A.M.E. Marker (Side 2)

St. Mark A.M.E. Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 6, 2022

3. St. Mark A.M.E. Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 12, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.