Bethesda Schoolhouse

Bethesda Schoolhouse. . Tne Bethesda Schoolhouse is the only surviving one-room African-American schoolhouse in Mecklenburg County. The schoolhouse was originally located on the corner of Alexanderana Road and Eastfield Road, approximately 7.5 miles southeast of Rural Hill., The Schoolhouse is thought to have been built by a popular local African-American farmer, John Young, who, in 1898, built the school so his and other African-American children in the community could attend school. In this regard, the Bethesda School is a fitting pair to the Davidson Schoolhouse, located on the southwest corner of Historic Rural Hill. The Bethesda Schoolhouse new stands where there was believed to have been a similar one-room African American schoolhouse built., After operating for some years as a community school, Bethesda School was later absorbed into the Mecklenburg County school system. It was operated as a public school until 1940 when it was closed as a part a state-wide program to consolidate schools. The building reverted to private ownership and the owners of the property converted it into a rental house, adding a kitchen and bathroom addition on one side. From the 50's-60's, the schoolhouse was used as a social gathering spot and for community picnics., In 2005 The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission designated it as a historic landmark and purchased the building. In June, 2005, CMLC and Rural Hill Inc. agreed to move it to where it stands today. It was placed here on February 16, 2006. Since then Rural Hill has stabilized the building, built a permanent foundation and replaced the roof. On-going efforts to restore the building as an adaptive reuse-restored to its original look but with modern functions-continues as funding allows.