New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Front: New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church organized in 1888. Tradition holds that members initially worshipped under a brush arbor. They then built at this site a two-story wood frame church that included a central tower and pedimented portico. Early members were mostly local farming families. Reverse: In the 20th century, New Bethel AME Church became an important institution for the Red Top section of Charleston County. It was used as a community meeting place and hosted a county health clinic in the 1930s to 1950s, providing prenatal and other care to local Black residents. The church was rebuilt in 1982.