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Temple Beth El

SC PICTURE PROJECT 5 Comments

SC Picture Project / Kershaw County / Temple Beth El

This somewhat curious, yet quaint Spanish-Mission style structure stands in the Kershaw County town of Camden. A rare form of architecture found in South Carolina, the building was constructed in 1903 and initially served the St. Mary’s Catholic Church for nearly two decades until its congregation outgrew the building. The church was sold in 1921 to the Hebrew Benevolent Association and became known as Temple Beth El. The statue, seen outside of the temple in the photo below, is of the double star of David and was created by Allan Sindler, a Jewish artist once residing in the area. The symbol is a generally recognized symbol of Judaism and God’s protection.

Temple Beth El Camden SC

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Charleston was the landing place for South Carolina’s first Jews during the late 1600s. Similar in story to the Quakers and Huguenots, the Jews sought religious freedom, a proposition the English extended to anyone willing to relocate to the new colony. By 1730, nine townships were formed by South Carolina’s government with the intent of settling interior parts of the state, including modern-day Camden. Most of the area’s first settlers were Quakers and Scots-Irish but by the 1780s, Jewish people, as well as Catholics started migrating from Europe, as well as other cities in South Carolina, to Camden.

Temple Beth El in Camden - Exposed Ceiling

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Hebrew Benevolent Association initially owned an empty lot on nearby DeKalb Street where they were planning to build a temple. Debates over its use went on for years until the property was sold. The association then became aware of the empty St. Mary’s Catholic Church and settled on establishing a house of worship here. For nearly a decade, the congregation was served by Rabbi F. Hirsch, of Sumter, who would travel to Camden two Sundays a month to lead services. The Sunday school was not operational every service as the Jewish children received some education here but also traveled to Sumter for confirmation classes at Temple Sinai.

Interior of Temple Beth El in Camden SC

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

When the Hebrew Benevolent Association purchased the building in 1921, their expectations were that the congregation would continue to grow. By 1927, the temple served over 100 members but ten years later, that number dropped to 67. By the next decade or so, that number dropped to around 25 and today, only 11 members are left.

Camden SC Temple Beth El

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

When Bill Fitzpatrick, long-time friend of the Picture Project and the photographer who captured the beautiful images found on this page, wished to take a class from his church, Our Lord of Perpetual Help Catholic, to learn the traditions of Passover and other rites and rituals that the two faiths had in common, he called congregation member, Barbara James, seen above. James was happy to oblige but when she arrived at the temple on Good Friday, she discovered an extensive mold issue caused from a leaky roof that left the interior exposed to heavy winter rains. Thick black mold covered the walls and ceiling. Since the temple is only used twice a year; once for Rosh Hashanah and once for Yom Kippur, it is unknown when the damages would have been noticed had Fitzpatrick not made that phone call. The mold that once covered the walls and ceilings of the temple has been eliminated and the interior, restored.

“God works in mysterious ways. That’s what I believe,” James says “I believe that phone call was nothing less than an Easter Miracle; a call to get down here and save our temple.”

Plan Your Trip: Temple Beth El

Where is Temple Beth El located?
Address: 1500 Block Lyttleton Street, Camden, SC 29020
GPS Coordinates: 34.253847,-80.604201
What else should I see?
Camden Carnegie Library 0.4 mile
McLean House 0.5 mile
Greenleaf Villa 0.5 mile
Bishop Davis House 0.6 mile
Show me more like this!
  • Camden Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Churches
    Temple Beth El Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda Hasty says

      October 17, 2019 at 1:59 PM

      Good Evening: I did not see a phone number for contact. I am with Civil Air Patrol in Sumter. We would like to know how we could properly honor the fallen veterans at Temple Sinai cemetery during the laying of Wreaths Across America ceremony on December 14, 2019.

      Reply
      • SC Picture Project says

        October 21, 2019 at 8:51 AM

        Hi Linda! Since you have a bit of time before December 14, I would recommend writing them at 1500 Block Lyttleton Street, Camden, SC 29020. I cannot find a phone number or email address for them. Another alternative would be to contact the Jewish Historical Society. Their office is located at the Sylvia Vlosky Yaschik Jewish Studies Center, 96 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29424. Best of luck!

        Reply
    2. Kim R Stacy says

      May 9, 2019 at 9:25 AM

      I found the temple when looking to buy a home two houses down the street. My wife and I are moving to Camden and would like to be members of the congrigation. Plese send contact information. Thanks Col. Kim Stacy & Fran Friedman MD

      Reply
    3. HRFriedman says

      August 13, 2018 at 10:28 PM

      I am confused about the images, the third seems to show the sanctuary with seats, the 2nd shows the sanctuary empty, please explain.

      Also, I am confused about whether the building is still used as a Jewish synagogue? Why only two times per year? It seems odd to refer to Christian holidays in the context of a Jewish house of prayer. Thanks for your explanations.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        August 14, 2018 at 10:40 PM

        Hello, in the article it explains that the sanctuary was sought out for a visitation from a church of a different religious faith. The temple was opened and it was discovered that there was a lot of damage, which is why you see the varying scenes on the interior with seats and not, it was in the process of renovation.

        You can read more about the specific chain of events here: https://savingplaces.org/stories/the-easter-miracle-at-temple-beth-el-in-camden-south-carolina

        Reply

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