Brattonsville in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bethesda Presbyterian Church
Photographed By Wes Cox, June 5, 2010
1. Bethesda Presbyterian Church Marker (Side A)
(Side A)
This church, which held services as early as 1760 about 1 mi. E, gave its name to a Scots-Irish community in this area before the Revolution. It was formally organized in 1769 by Rev. William Richardson. In 1771 John Fondren donated land here for a second frame church, built ca. 1780 after the church 1 mi. E burned.
(Side B)
Rev. Robert B. Walker (1766-1852), the first permanent minister, served here 1794-1834. Bethesda hosted many revivals during the Second Great Awakening. The cemetery dates to 1777, and this brick church was built in 1820. The church and cemetery were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Erected 2010 by Erected by the Congregation for its 250th Anniversary, 2010. (Marker Number 46-48.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1760.
Location. 34° 53.88′ N, 81° 10.642′ W. Marker is in Brattonsville, South Carolina, in York County. Marker is on McConnells Hwy. (State Highway 322), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Huck's Defeat (approx. 1.7 miles away); Bratton Home (approx. 2.2 miles away); Backwoods Cabin (approx. 2.2 miles away); William Bratton Plantation/Battle of Huck's Defeat (approx. 2.2 miles away); Field of Huck's Defeat (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Battle of Huck’s Defeat (approx. 2.3 miles away); Brick Kitchen (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Homestead (approx. 2.3 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. National Register of Historic Places. (Submitted on June 6, 2010, by Wes Cox of Union, South Carolina.)
2. . Information on link is listed under Additional comments. (Submitted on June 6, 2010, by Wes Cox of Union, South Carolina.)
3. South Carolina Department of Archives and History entry for the Bethesda Presbyterian Church. (Submitted on June 14, 2010, by Wes Cox of Union, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. National Register
One of the oldest churches in the South Carolina Upcountry, Bethesda Presbyterian Church is also one of the four original Presbyterian churches in the state’s old York District. A mission (church) is believed to have existed as early as 1760 and Bethesda
Photographed By Wes Cox, June 5, 2010
2. Bethesda Presbyterian Church Marker (Side B)
— Submitted June 6, 2010, by Wes Cox of Union, South Carolina.
Photographed By Wes Cox, June 5, 2010
3. Bethesda Presbyterian Church Marker
Photographed By Wes Cox, July 11, 2009
4. Bethesda Presbyterian Church
Photographed By Wes Cox, July 11, 2009
5. Bethesda Presbyterian Cemetery
Photographed By Wes Cox, July 11, 2009
6. Bethesda Presbyterian Cemetery Marker
The original site of Bethesda Church was located about one mile east of this spot. Around the original meetinghouse were deposited the dead. In 1979 only 3 grave markers could be found at the old site and these were removed and placed here. Known to have been buried there also was Henry Neely, husband of Elizabeth. He was born in the last quarter of the 17th century and died after 1778. He was the first ruling elder of Bethesda. His son, Samuel was the first elder of Fishing Creek Presbyterian Church, 1770.
Photographed By Wes Cox, July 11, 2009
7. Bethesda Presbyterian Cemetery 1769
Photographed By Wes Cox, July 11, 2009
8. Bethesda Presbyterian Church Marker
Photographed By Wes Cox, July 11, 2009
9. Bethesda Presbyterian Church
Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2010, by Wes Cox of Union, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,358 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 6, 2010, by Wes Cox of Union, South Carolina. 9. submitted on June 8, 2010, by Wes Cox of Union, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
