Lamar in Darlington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
John Wesley Methodist Church
Photographed by Anna Inbody, March 18, 2012
1. John Wesley Methodist Church Marker
This church, founded about 1865, is the first African-American church in Lamar and was long known as Lamar Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. It was organized by Rev. John Boston, a former slave who was its first minister, serving here 1865-67. Boston, who also represented Darlington Co. in the S.C. House 1868-70 and 1872-74, is buried in the church cemetery. The old Boston Township was named for him.
The church held its first services in a brush arbor, but completed a frame sanctuary here about 1866. That church burned in 1906 and was replaced later that year by the present frame sanctuary, a Gothic Revival building. In 1916 trustees donated a half-acre for the Lamar Colored School, later Spaulding High School. Electricity replaced gas lights in 1935 and the exterior was covered in brick veneer in the 1950s.
Erected 2011 by South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, sponsored by the The Darlington County Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16-66.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 34° 9.822′
this page online
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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fair Hope Presbyterian Church (approx. 3.8 miles away); Augustin Wilson (approx. 5.4 miles away); Battle of Mount Elon (approx. 5½ miles away); Henry Durant (approx. 5.6 miles away); Oates (approx. 6.3 miles away); St. John Methodist Church / St. John Methodist Church Cemetery (approx. 6.3 miles away); Laurie M. Lawson (approx. 6.9 miles away); Timmonsville (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lamar.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Henry Durant (was approx. 5.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Anna Inbody, March 18, 2012
2. John Wesley Methodist Church Marker Reverse
Photographed by Anna Inbody, March 18, 2012
3. John Wesley Methodist Church Marker Overview
Photographed by Anna Inbody, March 18, 2012
4. John Wesley Methodist Church
Photographed by Anna Inbody, March 18, 2012
5. Dedication Stone
John Wesley M.E. Church Built 1906. Rev. W. H. Jones, Pastor.
Photographed by Anna Inbody, March 18, 2012
6. Another Dedication Stone on the Building
Rev. J. E. Jenkins. B.D.H.M. PhD. P.C. 1925.
Photographed by Anna Inbody, March 18, 2012
7. Educational Building Dedication Stone
Alsbrooks Educational Building 1981 Roy C. Clark, Bishop; H.T. Risher, District Superintendent; John Alsbrooks, Jr. Pastor; Trustees: Elijah W. Davis, Chairman; Jessie Segars; Clyde J. Davis; James Mack, Sr.; Thomas Tindall; Wilbur Walker; Wooster Woods; Walter McGowan; Honorary: Edward Hawkins, Charlie Lucas
Photographed by Anna Inbody, March 18, 2012
8. Spaulding School
As mentioned on the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,567 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 19, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
