Bethlehem Baptist Church in Barnwell dates from the early 1800s when Barnwell Baptist Church – now called First Baptist Church of Barnwell – was founded. The church built a sanctuary on this site in 1829. By the 1850s, Barnwell’s Baptist congregation had grown too large for the building, so a new church was built at another location in 1854. Both free black members as well as slaves had worshiped at Barnwell Baptist Church, and when the congregation relocated, the black worshipers were given the church building. In 1868, the African-American congregation was formally chartered as Bethlehem Baptist Church.
The original Barnwell Baptist Church was used by Bethlehem Baptist Church until 1898 when the former church was demolished. The current church was erected on the same site soon afterwards. Salvaged materials from the original structure were used in the construction of the new church.
In the early 1900s Bethlehem’s congregation was instrumental in the founding of Morris College in Sumter and the establishment of a high school for African American students in Barnwell.
Because it is a well-preserved example of the independent black churches that proliferated in the South after the Civil War, the church is listed in the National Register of Historic Places:
Bethlehem Baptist Church is a vernacular interpretation of the Victorian ecclesiastical architecture of the last two decades of the nineteenth century. Built circa 1898 by members of the congregation, the eclectic structure features both Queen Anne elements and Gothic detail. Architectural features of note include the steep, cross gabled roof with boxed cornice and returns; the asymmetrical massing of the towers; the 6/6 Gothic center pointed windows; the auditorium plan; and the tongue and grooved deep coved ceiling of the interior. The cupola originally featured a steep, tent-roofed spire; however, it was removed and replaced by the present cupola during the 1940’s.
Exemplary of the widespread growth of independent black churches, which occurred in the South during the post-Civil War era, Bethlehem Baptist Church has played an important part in the religious and educational life of the black community of Barnwell. The congregation formed in 1868 as an offshoot of the Barnwell Baptist Church located at the same site and the old building was sold to the new congregation. After the floor caved-in around 1898, the 1829 building was demolished and the present Bethlehem Baptist Church built in its place. The brick veneered church rectory is included within the nominated acreage.
Plan Your Trip: Bethlehem Baptist Church
Address: 177 Wall Street, Barnwell, SC 29812
GPS Coordinates: 33.246079,-81.365463
First Baptist Church of Barnwell 0.2 mile
Barnwell County Agricultural Building 0.2 mile
Barnwell Confederate Memorial 0.3 mile
Barnwell Sundial 0.3 mile
John Washington was also an Overseer at a Sean O’Hagards Plantation. I was told that he was my great great great grandfather and was possibly the church trustee in the late 1800s – early 1900s. Is anyone able to verify this? Any information is appreciated.
I would like to keep in touch with what is going on in Blackville, SC.
I am researching the name BRIGHTWELL. We had a William Brightwell and family living there in 1790-1840s
My family surnames are Jones and Dingle. Any information will be appreciated. Thank you!
Trying to research my family history led me to believe that many of my ancestors were members of the church from the mid 1800’s – mid 1900’s (many of my relatives may still be members). I’ve learned that many were buried in the cemetery (that was moved because of the Santee-Cooper Project). Can you help to confirm this information….PLEASE!
I was told that a great great grandfather of mine was the church trustee in the late 1800’s, early 1900’s. His name was John Washington. Are you able to verify this information
From about the 1800s into the 1900s the Childs and Weathersbee families have lived in Barnwell County. Are there any old records of the members of Bethlehem Baptist Church? I’m trying to research and record my family history.
Hi Adriene!
We don’t have any access to records from Bethlehem Baptist Church, but a great place to start would be to take a look at our Barnwell genealogy resources. Here you’ll find links to other genealogists and to historical archives in this area. We hope this helps, and good luck! SCIWAY