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

Inscription. (side 1)
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. (Continued on other side) (side 2) (Continued from other side) 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 4653.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1764.

Location. 35° 6.71′ N, 81° 9.167′

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W. Marker is in Clover, South Carolina, in York County. It is in Bethel. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 557 and Bethel Church Road, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 557. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2445 Hwy 557, Clover SC 29710, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 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); Birthplace of Daniel Harvey Hill (approx. 5.4 miles away). 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.)

3. Historic Bethel Cemetery

Photographed By Mark Parker, February 17, 2024

2. Bethel Presbyterian Church side of marker

. 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.)

National Register of Historic Places image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Parker, February 17, 2024

3. National Register of Historic Places

Bethel Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Parker, February 17, 2024

4. Bethel Presbyterian Church

Bethel Presbyterian Church sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Parker, February 17, 2024

5. Bethel Presbyterian Church sign

Bethel Presbyterian Church cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Parker, February 17, 2024

6. Bethel Presbyterian Church cemetery

In memorial of slave ancestors that were members of Bethel Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Parker, February 17, 2024

7. In memorial of slave ancestors that were members of Bethel Presbyterian Church

Patriots and Soldiers of the American Revolution buried at Bethel Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Parker, February 17, 2024

8. Patriots and Soldiers of the American Revolution buried at Bethel Presbyterian Church

Olney Presbyterian Church Session House (church planted by Bethel Presbyterian in 1793) image. Click for full size.

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 March 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 49 times since then. 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.