North Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
St. Peter's A.M.E. Church
Organized c. 1867 by Rev. Caesar Smalls, St. Peter's African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church is the oldest-known religious body in North Charleston. Tradition holds members first worshipped under a tent at Retreat Plantation, which later became the site of the Charleston Navy Yard. By 1871, they acquired a one-acre parcel at this site, where they built a wood frame church on the south side of the property.
St. Peter's was an important early institution for Liberty Hill, a community of freed people situated north and west of the church. Brick veneer and stained glass windows were added to the church by the 1950s. An education building was built in 1971 and dedicated in 1973. A new sanctuary was built in 1981 to replace the old church, which closed due to damage. It was repaired and reopened as a family life center in 1991.
Erected 2021 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by St. Peter's AME Church Trustee Board. (Marker Number 10-125.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston and in the Lowcountry. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named St. Peter's A.M.E. Church (a few steps from this marker); Liberty Hill (approx. Ό mile away); Liberty Hill's Vietnam Fighting Men (approx. Ό mile away); Charleston Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); Louie Tenement (approx. 0.4 miles away); Naval Hospital District (approx. 1.4 miles away); Charleston Naval Hospital Historic District (approx. 1.4 miles away); Marine Barracks (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Charleston.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Park Circle (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
