Near Lake City in Williamsburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Cooper's Academy / Bethesda Methodist Church
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, February 18, 2010
1. Cooper's Academy / Bethesda Methodist Marker (front)
[Front]:
Cooper’s Academy, built in 1905-06, was a private boarding school for the black children of this community until 1927, and a public school 1927-1958. Founded by Moses Cooper, H.J. Cooper, and Ada E. Martin, it was first called Cooper’s Academy, Normal and Industrial Institute for Colored Youth. The school closed in 1958 when black schools at Battery Park and Cades were consolidated.
[Reverse]:
Bethesda Methodist Church, founded in 1879, was organized in a brush arbor. Its first permanent church, a one-room sanctuary built about 1884, stood 1/4 mi. W. The congregation bought a two-acre site here in 1893, and soon built a one-room frame church. The church was rebuilt in 1971, during the pastorate of Rev. J.B. Bowen.
Erected 2009 by Cooper Academy / Bethesda Methodist Church History Committee. (Marker Number 45-15.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 33° 45.72′ N, 79°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Browntown (approx. 5.3 miles away); Indiantown Presbyterian Church: “Disarm in the Most Rigid Manner” (approx. 6.9 miles away); Indiantown Presbyterian Church (approx. 6.9 miles away); Graham Home Place (approx. 8.3 miles away); The Lynching of Frazier Baker (approx. 8.6 miles away); Whitehead Infirmary (approx. 8.8 miles away); Lake City Tobacco Markets / Imperial Tobacco Company (approx. 8.8 miles away); Lake City Produce Markets / Lake City Bean Market (approx. 8.8 miles away); W.T. Askins House (approx. 8.9 miles away); Church Street/Main Street (approx. 8.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake City.
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, February 18, 2010
2. Cooper's Academy / Bethesda Methodist Marker (reverse)
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, February 18, 2010
3. Cooper's Academy
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, February 18, 2010
4. Cooper's Academy
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, February 18, 2010
5. Bethesda Methodist Church
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,453 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 24, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
