Sharon Methodist Church

The Town of Kinards in Newberry County traces its roots to the first part of the nineteenth century when Captain Martin Kinard, Jr., moved just north of present-day Pomaria and established his plantation. The hamlet became more populated as the Laurens Railroad began operating here in 1854. Sharon Church – one source says it was originally a Baptist church – was organized that same year. A post office followed two years later, and until 1881 the area was known as Martins or Martin’s Depot.

Kinard donated land for the church, and likely a small frame meeting house-style church was built in 1869 with the guidance of Kinard’s son-in-law, Jacob Summer. It was replaced with the present church between 1904 and 1905.

The church remains a small but active part of the United Methodist denomination as well as the only church in Kinards. Captain Kinard and his family are interred in the churchyard.

Inside Sharon Methodist Church

More Pictures of Sharon Methodist Church

Reflections on Sharon Methodist Church

Contributor Logan Guerry, who shares the photo above, describes his image: “This is a modern photo of one of South Carolina’s most historic Methodist churches. I traveled here after seeing photos of the church and wanted to photograph it myself.”