Walterboro in Colleton County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bethel Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 2008
1. Bethel Presbyterian Church Marker
This church, originally located at Jacksonboro, was founded in 1728 by Rev. Archibald Stobo (d.1741), father of the Presbyterian church in S.C. The first building at Jacksonboro was replaced in 1746 by a "hansome sanctuary" that stood until it was destroyed by a forest fire in 1886. A summer chapel built on this site in 1821 was a branch of the Jacksonboro church.
By 1830s the Walterboro church became the main sanctuary under the leadership of Rev. Edward Palmer (1788-1882), minister here 1827-32, 1844-45, and 1862-74. A second frame church, built here in 1860-61, was destroyed by a tornado in 1879. It was replaced by another frame church in 1880, which burned in 1966. The present brick sanctuary, the fourth on this site, was built in 1969.
Erected 2002 by the Colleton County Historical and Preservation Society. (Marker Number 15-19.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1728.
Location. 32° 54.308′ N, 80° 39.482′ W. Marker is in Walterboro, South Carolina, in Colleton County. It
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: St. Judes Episcopal Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Peters A.M.E. Church (about 300 feet away); Hickory Valley (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Hickory Valley (about 500 feet away); Walterborough Library Society (about 500 feet away); Walterborough Academy (approx. Ό mile away); Colleton Rural Fire Department Charter Members (approx. 0.3 miles away); Colleton County Veterans War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Walterboro.
Regarding Bethel Presbyterian Church. Paul Walter ( co-founder of Walterboro ) built the Bethel Presbyterian Church on what became known as "Walter Hill."
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
2. Bethel Presbyterian Church Marker, Reverse side
Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 2008
3. Bethel Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
4. Bethel Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 2008
5. Bethel Presbyterian Church
"The Bethel Bell +
This bell hung in the steeple of
Bethel Presbyterian Church from 1890
until the building was destroyed by fire in 1966."
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
6. Bethel Bell Caption
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,036 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 15, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.
