St. Peter’s AME Church — Walterboro, South Carolina
SC Picture Project | Colleton County | St. Peter’s AME Church
St. Peter’s AME Church was founded just after the Civil War in 1867 by the Reverend James Nesbitt. It is the oldest black church in Colleton County. The sanctuary was built on the site of a Baptist church that was destroyed in a devastating tornado in 1879. The storm flattened at least three other churches in Walterboro, including historic St. Jude’s, as well as several homes and buildings. Where the congregation met prior to the construction of this sanctuary is presently unknown. The Gothic Revival building was constructed in four sections and features a pyramidal steeple. It was remodeled in 1952.
The African Methodist Episcopal, or AME, denomination was founded in 1787 by former Delaware slave Richard Allen, for whom Allen University in Columbia was named. The AME denomination was established to counter racism practiced in the Methodist church towards slaves and freed blacks before Emancipation. During the Reconstruction, Allen and others brought the AME denomination to the South, where it flourished.
St. Peter’s is listed in the National Register as part of the Walterboro Historic District:
The Walterboro Historic District is a significant collection of properties located near the center of the town of Walterboro. The majority of the properties in the district were constructed between ca.1800 and ca.1945 and represent a wide range of nineteenth and early twentieth century vernacular design. The district is primarily residential in character, but also includes religious, educational, and public buildings. The visual appearance of the district reflects the historical development of the town, which was one of several South Carolina pineland villages settled during the early nineteenth century by planters in search of a healthful climate.
More Pictures of St. Peter’s AME Church
St. Peter’s AME Church Info
Address: 302 Fishburne Street, Walterboro, SC 29488
GPS Coordinates: 32.903554,-80.658424
Website: http://stpetersamechurch.org/
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3 Comments about St. Peter’s AME Church
June 8th, 2016 at 5:06 pm
Saw this little church while staying at a motel in Walterboro. Stopped to take some pictures. A very kind man offered to take me inside and told me a little history of the church. If he is an example of the people who go there it is truly a blessed church with God's blessing. I am so sorry I did not get his name but, want to thank you for your kindness.
September 6th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
Dear Reverend Cryer,
Thank you so much for writing! We would so love to learn more about the church. There is very little info available for it in books or online. We really struggled with this one. If you have anything else you could add – about its history or its congregation – we would love to hear! Thank you again for writing us!
September 5th, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Thank you for posting St. Peter’s AME Church on your web site. I was blessed to be the pastor at St. Peters AME Church for 14 years. We were selected to be a part of the movie hit “Radio” that was filmed in Walterboro, SC. Thank you again.