Mount Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church
"From Bush Arbor to Brick and Mortar"
(Front):
In 1866 soon after the Civil War an interracial Methodist organization was formed. They worshiped under a Bush Arbor near the railroad in South Sumter. After a few years they grew discontented with the organization and sought to form a newly introduced church called the African Methodist Episcopal Church. For a while they conducted services in the Sumter County Courthouse. Later they moved to a rented workshop building on South Sumter Street.
(Reverse):
In 1869 $300.00 was raised to purchase the land on which the present church stands. On the foundation of faith, love and charity, the members built their first wooden church and named it Mount Pisgah AME Church. It was dedicated in 1870. The membership rapidly outgrew the church, and a larger and stronger church was built in 1900 in the same location. In later years it was brick veneered and twice renovated.
Marker is at the intersection of Council Street and West Bartlette Street, on the right when traveling north on Council Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
