Hartsville in Darlington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Jerusalem Baptist Church

Photographed by Gordon Marshall Herndon, August 12, 2025

1. Jerusalem Baptist Church Marker

Inscription.

This church, organized soon after the Civil War, is one of the oldest African-American churches in Darlington County. It held its first services a few miles E under a brush arbor on Snake Branch, a creek near E. Carolina Ave. The first permanent church, a log building, was built there. Trustees acquired this site in 1898, built the present church in 1907, and chartered the congregation in 1908. (Continued on other side) (Continued from other side) This church, built in 1907 as a frame building, was described as "a splendid achievement" when it was covered in brick veneer and rededicated in 1939. It had a congregation of more than 350 during the Depression. Rev. Henry H. Butler (1887-1948), pastor from 1932 until his death, was also for many years the principal of the Darlington Co. Training School/Butler School and later president of Morris College.

Erected 2014 by Darlington County Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16 74.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 34° 22.257′ N, 80° 4.451′ W. Marker

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is in Hartsville, South Carolina, in Darlington County. It is on South 6th Street south of West Lauren Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 S 6th St, Hartsville SC 29550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 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 walking distance of this marker: Hartsville Oil Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hartsville Veterans Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Arcade Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hartsville Passenger Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hartsville Graded School / Mt. Pisgah Nursery School (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); John L. Hart / John Hart House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hartsville Cotton Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartsville.

Also see . . . Jerusalem Baptist Church. (Submitted on August 13, 2025.)

Jerusalem Baptist Church Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gordon Marshall Herndon, August 12, 2025

2. Jerusalem Baptist Church Marker Reverse

Jerusalem Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gordon Marshall Herndon Jr, August 12, 2025

3. Jerusalem Baptist Church

Front view of church from Sixth Street. Marker is located on the right side of entrance.

Photographed by Gordon Marshall Herndon Jr, August 12, 2025

4. Jerusalem Baptist Church

Photographed by Gordon Marshall Herndon Jr, August 12, 2025

5. Jerusalem Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2025, by Gordon Marshall Herndon Jr of Hartsville, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 12, 2025, by Gordon Marshall Herndon Jr of Hartsville, South Carolina. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 13, 2025, by Gordon Marshall Herndon Jr of Hartsville, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. Photos of the church. • Can you help?