Near Starr in Anderson County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Ruhamah Church

The Church in the Wildwood

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 19, 2025

1. Ruhamah Church Marker, Side One

Inscription. Ruhamah Methodist Church organized in 1822 and initially worshipped under a brush arbor. The first church, known as the Ruhamah Meeting House, was built at this site which congregants acquired in 1836. Soon after organizing, members founded a cemetery to the south. Among those buried there is Rev. William Glenn, the church’s founding minister. For a number of years this site also frequently hosted camp meetings. The original church was replaced in 1852 and again in 1874.

In Ruhamah’s early years. a nearby road connected the church and cemetery to the Savannah River at what was later known as Brown’s Ferry. The nearest S. C. town was Andersonville, located a few miles up the river. Members worshipped in the wooden 1874 structure until 1977, when it was replaced by Ruhamah’s first brick church building. Ruhamah is sited on elevated land that was spared when Lake Hartwell was built in 1961-62, inundating much of the surrounding area.

Erected 2023 by Department of Archives and History. Sponsored by Ruhamah United Methodist Church. (Marker Number 4-50.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.

Location. 34° 23.536′ N, 82°

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48.842′ W. Marker is near Starr, South Carolina, in Anderson County. It is on Ruhamah Church Road 0.4 miles U.S. 29 and Big Water Road, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 Ruhamah Church Rd, Starr SC 29684, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate

and in the Greater Greenville-Spartanburg Area. 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 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: Ruhamah United Methodist Church (a few steps from this marker); Hartwell Lake (approx. 1.7 miles away); Louie Morris Memorial Bridge (approx. 2.7 miles away in Georgia); Rock Mills Undenominational Singing Convention (approx. 4½ miles away); Roberts Church (approx. 4.8 miles away); Nancy Hart (approx. 6.2 miles away in Georgia); Hillard J. Mullenix (approx. 6.4 miles away in Georgia); Mountain Creek Baptist Church (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Starr.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This link is to our entry for the memorial (photo No. 5) to the old church and contains more information about the church.

Ruhamah Church Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 19, 2025

2. Ruhamah Church Marker, Side Two

Ruhamah Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 19, 2025

3. Ruhamah Church Marker

Ruhamah Church, The Church in the Wildwood image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 19, 2025

4. Ruhamah Church, The Church in the Wildwood

The granite stone on the side of the raised memorial reads, “This memorial to the old church dedicated to Jennie G. Manning & Louise Reeves for their continuous service and leadership in the church.”

Ruhamah United Methodist Church, 1822 – 1976 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 19, 2025

5. Ruhamah United Methodist Church, 1822 – 1976

Carved in granite is a depiction of the 1874 church building that was used until 1976. The inscription continues, “Founded by Rev. William Glenn. The Church in the Wildwood.”

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 25, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.