Bethel in Clover in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bethel Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2024
1. Bethel Presbyterian Church side of marker
This church was founded in 1764 by Rev. William Richardson, who organized Scots-Irish settlers in this area, from both S.C. and N.C., into a congregation. Incorporated in 1786 as "The Presbyterian Church of Bethel Congregation," it grew steadily and built its third church building here in 1809. Bethel later became the mother church for eight area Presbyterian churches.
The present church was described as "large and tasteful when it was dedicated in 1873. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The earliest marked grave in the cemetery is from 1774. The cemetery contains graves of veterans of all of America's wars, including several Patriots who fought at the nearby battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780.
Erected 2013 by Bethel Presbyterian Church. (Marker Number 46-53.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 7, 1780.
Location. 35° 6.71′ N, 81° 9.167′ W. Marker is in Clover, South
this page online
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 the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Patriots and Soldiers of the American Revolution Buried at Bethel Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle Bigger's Ferry 1780 (approx. 3.4 miles away); York County David Jackson Homeplace (approx. 3.8 miles away); North Carolina / South Carolina (approx. 4.1 miles away in North Carolina); Town of Clover (approx. 4.2 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 4.2 miles away); Clover Springs Farm (approx. 4.8 miles away); William J. Wilson House (approx. 5.2 miles away in North Carolina). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clover.
Also see . . .
1. Bethel Presbyterian Church. (Submitted on February 22, 2024.)
2. Historic Bethel Church. The beginnings of Bethel during the colonial and Revolutionary War period
A dozen years before the United States was founded, three men gathered at a spring near Clover and decided to start one of the first churches organized in the colony of South Carolina--Bethel Presbyterian Church.(Submitted on February 29, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2024
2. Bethel Presbyterian Church side of marker
3. Historic Bethel Cemetery. A list of Revolutionary War patriots and soldiers, as well as Confederate soldiers buried here. (Submitted on February 29, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2024
3. National Register of Historic Places
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2024
4. Bethel Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2024
5. Bethel Presbyterian Church sign
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2024
6. Bethel Presbyterian Church cemetery
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2024
7. In memorial of slave ancestors that were members of Bethel Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2024
8. Patriots and Soldiers of the American Revolution buried at Bethel Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 17, 2024
9. Olney Presbyterian Church Session House (church planted by Bethel Presbyterian in 1793)
Located in the back of the property by the grove of trees
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 600 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 21, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 7, 8, 9. submitted on February 29, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
