Lugoff in Kershaw County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Ephesus United Methodist Church

Photographed by Dave W, May 29, 2023

1. Ephesus United Methodist Church Marker, Side One

Inscription.
(side 1)
Ephesus United Methodist Church (U.M.C.) formally organized in 1869, when freed African Americans built a small frame church at this location. Tradition holds that landowner Caroline J. Perkins permitted members to worship here by Buck’s Creek beginning in 1866. The congregation took ownership of the property in 1898, when they acquired one acre of land surrounding the church building. (Continued on other side) (side 2) (Continued from other side) Ephesus Church’s first settled pastor was Rev. James W. Brown (1837-1927). For many years, the church maintained a wooden one-room schoolhouse for the education of local children and adults. Among those buried in the church cemetery is singer/songwriter “Brook Benton” (1931-1988), born as Benjamin Franklin Peay. In 1998, Ephesus merged with nearby Smyrna congregation to form Unity U.M.C.

Erected 2021 by South Carolina African American Heritage Commission/WeGOJA Foundation. (Marker Number 28-21.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 34° 12.89′ N,

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80° 39.634′ W. Marker is in Lugoff, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. It is on Lachicotte Road 0.4 miles south of Ward Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 274 State Rd S-28-133, Lugoff SC 29078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands

and in the Olde English District. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Our Honored Dead (approx. 1.6 miles away); Patriots Landing (approx. 2 miles away); Donald Truesdell Memorial (approx. 3.1 miles away); Unknown Confederate Soldiers (approx. 3.2 miles away); Quaker Cemetery (approx. 3.2 miles away); Quaker Burying Ground (approx.

Ephesus United Methodist Church Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave W, May 29, 2023

2. Ephesus United Methodist Church Marker, Side Two

3.2 miles away); West Redoubt (approx. 3.2 miles away); a different marker also named West Redoubt (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lugoff.

Ephesus United Methodist Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave W, May 29, 2023

3. Ephesus United Methodist Church Marker

Photographed by Dave W, May 29, 2023

4. Ephesus United Methodist Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 407 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 30, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.