• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

Southern Methodist College

SC PICTURE PROJECT Leave a Comment

SC Picture Project / Orangeburg County / Southern Methodist College

This college in Orangeburg is also the headquarters of the Southern Methodist Church. The Southern Methodist Church denomination formed in 1939 in response to the reuniting of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South with the Methodist Episcopal Church; the joining of those two denominations formed the Methodist Church (now the United Methodist Church). Some disagreed with the liberal-leaning philosophies of the Methodist Church and organized their own denomination as a result, the Southern Methodist Church. In January of 1956 the group formed Southern Methodist College to provide post-secondary education to students studying Southern Methodist Church tenets.

Southern Methodist College Sign

David Shull of Elloree, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The college initially opened in Greenville before relocating to the historic home known as Banksia in Aiken in 1958. The college then moved again in 1961 when Harriett Adden gave her home in Orangeburg (below) and 22 acres of surrounding property to the Southern Methodist Church. The home was built by Harriett Adden’s husband, Frederick, as a wedding gift to her. While the Adden home served as the campus’s first building, several others were added over the years, including a gymnasium, a library, and a dormitory. The college also continued to acquire property, including the neighboring Luther Adden home and an additional 19 acres of land in 1982.

Southern Methodist College

David Shull of Elloree, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

In March of 2016 the school elected to become primarily an online college. The change would come into effect starting in the fall of 2016. The objective of the change was to make the college more financially stable. Some students may still meet on campus for special classes or to observe classes as they are being filmed for online viewing. Other changes to the school include selling and leasing some of its buildings. The Adden House will remain the headquarters of the Southern Methodist Church.

Reflections on Southern Methodist College


Jan Ewart of Georgetown, a frequent contributor in our Facebook group, shared the following:

“Mrs.Harriet Adden was the original owner of this home off Broughton Street. Her husband, Frederick, built it for her as a wedding gift. The house was the first thing she saw when she got off the train. My great aunt was a companion to her in her latter years. She was blind, widowed and childless. She had a pet parrot that outlived her and he had free run of the estate. She enjoyed the company of children, so on several occasions, we were invited to visit. We were so impressed with the mansion and the life of the “rich”. One time, we took her a Hardee’s hamburger and she thought it was just delicious. She was a great storyteller. We gathered around her chair and she told us the story of Thumbelina. I was spellbound. Sometimes I would sit in her lap. She wore her hair in a French twist. What impressed me the most was her hair color. I told her she had the most lovely color of BLUE hair. She was mortified and we were sent home early that day. I meant that sincerely, but got scolded for upsetting her! She left her estate to the Southern Methodist church as you explained. Just thought you might find this additional information interesting. She was a real person with a big heart.”

Plan Your Trip: Southern Methodist College

Where is Southern Methodist College located?
Address: 541 Broughton Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115
GPS Coordinates: 33.481722,-80.859391
Website: http://www.smcollege.edu/
What else should I see?
Old Orangeburg County Jail 0.9 mile
Judge Glover House 1.1 miles
Dukes-Harley Funeral Home 1.1 miles
All Star Bowling 1.1 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Colleges
  • See other South Carolina Historic Houses
    Southern Methodist College Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Tingley Memorial HallClaflin University Pickens Salley House AikenPickens-Salley House Horry-Guignard HouseHorry-Guignard House Confederate HomeConfederate Home Default ThumbnailWalnut Grove Plantation

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved