Hampton in Hampton County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Huspah Baptist Church and School
Huspah Baptist Church was organized c. 1873. The congregation first met in the homes of church members before erecting a permanent sanctuary. A two-room school was added to the property c. 1890 and was operated as a school for African American students. In 1898 the congregation purchased the "Old Baptist Church" lot, a one-acre plot of land that included the former church building of a white congregation.
The first school was burned in 1895, a victim of suspected arson. It re-opened in a new building. Elizabeth Evelyn Wright and Jessie Dorsey were the first teachers at the new school Wright would go on to found Voorhees College in 1897. The school at Huspah remained in service until the county built a new school for African American students on Holly St. in 1927.
Erected 2015 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Huspah Baptist Church. (Marker Number 25-23.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 32° 52.479′ N, 81° 6.948′ W. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, in the Ashepoo and Combahee and Edisto Basin. 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 New Spain, 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: Plywoods-Plastics Corporation / Westinghouse Micarta Division (approx. 0.2 miles away); American Legion Hut (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War II POW Camp (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Hampton High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); James Washington Moore House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hampton Colored School (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Hampton Colored School (approx. half a mile away); Supreme Sacrifice Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.
Additional commentary.
1. About Voorhees College
The HBCU referred to as Voorhees College on the marker was established as Denmark Industrial School for African Americans. Since 2022, the school has operated as Voorhees University.
— Submitted May 31, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 23, 2026
4. Huspah Baptist Church and School Marker with the church in the background
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 23, 2026
5. Bell display with dedication behind the church
Sister Myrna Fields Youmans
and family
April 2, 2023
to the Huspah Missionary
Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. John A. Porter, Pastor
Deacon James "Pete" Hagood,
Chairman
Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
