Ansonborough in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Emanuel AME Church

110 Calhoun Street
Constructed 1891

Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 29, 2011

1. Emanuel AME Church Marker

Inscription. The oldest African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) church in the south, Emanuel A.M.E. Church was organized as Hampstead Free African church in 1818 by Rev. Morris Brown. After seceding from the Methodist Church, Charlestonians organized three churches that were named collectively the "Bethal Circuit". Rev. Brown and other African-American ministers then sought to have the Hampstead Free African Church affiliated with Rev. Richard Allen's African Church movement in Philadelphia. In 1865 Bethel Circuit acquired the present site on Boundry Street (now Calhoun Street) and constructed a wooden church under the direction of its minister, Richard Harvey Cain. The church was renamed "Emanuel" meaning "God with us". Emanuel A.M.E. has the oldest African-American congregation south of Baltimore.

Erected 1999 by Moja Arts Festival City of Charleston.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 32° 47.242′ N, 79° 55.977′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in Ansonborough. It is on Calhoun

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Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Calhoun Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 walking distance of this marker: Emanuel A.M.E. Church (here, next to this marker); Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (here, next to this marker); Harleston Boags Funeral Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Wade Hampton Monument (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holocaust Memorial (about 700 feet away); The Horn Work on Marion Square (about 700 feet away); Federal Building (about 700 feet away); 14 George Street (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Emanuel AME Church Medallion, added 1970 - - #70000923 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012

2. Emanuel AME Church Medallion, added 1970 - - #70000923

National Register of Historic Places:
Charleston Historic District
Emanuel AME Church

Emanuel AME Church Marker, far right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 29, 2011

3. Emanuel AME Church Marker, far right

Emanuel AME Church seen along Calhoun Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 29, 2011

4. Emanuel AME Church seen along Calhoun Street

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,116 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 24, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

Emanuel AME Church

110 Calhoun Street Constructed 1891

110 Calhoun Street
Constructed 1891