Near Lane in Williamsburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 25, 2025
1. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker, side one
This African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) congregation organized in 1879. In that year, founding trustees Carter Murray and Peter Kelty, said to have been Bethels first two pastors, acquired a one-acre parcel at this site. Tradition holds that members worshipped under a tent before building a wood frame church.
Bethel was originally part of the A.M.E. churchs Gourdine Circuit. The first wood church was eventually replaced by the current building. which was later expanded and brick-veneered. For many years, Bethel housed a Black public school on-site until Williamsburg Co. consolidated its rural schools in the 1950s.
Erected 2021 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by the descendants of Sam and Lena Miller. (Marker Number 45-24.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. 33° 30.376′ N, 79° 56.187′ W. Marker is near Lane, South Carolina, in Williamsburg County. It is on Gourdin Road (South Carolina Route 375) 1.1 miles east of U.S. 52, on the left
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee. 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Berkeley County (approx. 1.8 miles away); Murray's Ferry - Santee River (approx. 1.8 miles away); Union School (approx. 4.8 miles away); Thomas Walter (approx. 5.4 miles away); McCollum-Murray House (approx. 6.1 miles away); S.C.O.P.E. Freedom House (approx. 6.3 miles away); DeWitt Williams Bridge (approx. 6.6 miles away); St. Stephens Veterans Monument (approx. 6.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lane.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 25, 2025
2. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker, side two
Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 25, 2025
3. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 25, 2025
4. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Cornerstones
Bethel A.M.E. Church re-dedicated November 20, 2011.
The Rt. Rev. Preston Williams II, Presiding Bishop
Rev. Allen W. Parrott, Presiding Elder
Rev. Clifford Levine, Pastor
Bethel A.M.E. Church renovated 1947.
Rt. Rev. F. M. Reid, Bishop
Dr. J.E. Beard, P.E.
Rev. C. S. J. Mollette, Pastor
Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 25, 2025
5. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 20, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
