The top of this old building is interesting. But where is it and what is it? Send us your guess of what this photo shows – as well as your name and hometown – to feedback@statehousereport.com.
Last week’s “Needs painting?” is a photo of Mulberry Chapel Methodist Church near Pacolet in Cherokee County.
Super sleuth Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas, explained the church’s importance: “Built sometime between 1880 and 1890, it is one of the few remaining African-American churches in South Carolina upcountry that dates back to the Reconstruction era.
“According to a write-up on the SC Picture Project here, the ‘Mulberry Chapel remained active until the 1940s. Though the church now stands largely dormant, members of the Littlejohn family still meet here annually for reunions’ and attempt to maintain the property as best they can. The family members are descendents of Major Jack Littlejohn (1794 – 1872), a white slave-owner who donated the land to the church in exchange for picking ‘the cotton off the land.’”
Bill Segars of Hartsville added, “I’ve been fortunate to visit Mulberry — under it, outside and inside of it. It needs more than a good coat of paint. It needs love, support, money and help to save it. “
Others who correctly identified the church were: George Graf of Palmyra, Va.; Elizabeth Jones and Jay Altman, both of Columbia; Michael Webb of Hartsville; Frank Bouknight of Summerville; and Pat Keadle of Wagener.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!
About the little church in Pacolet, S.C. What I have to say is only my opinion. I think it wouldn’t be good to modernize that beautiful structure. If it were me, (and it’s not) I would do everything I could do to maintain the raw beauty it holds now. Things like structure, lighting, floors, electrical, bathrooms, leveling up the foundation, etc. I wouldn’t paint it. I would Check for termites and rodents! It is a beautiful antiquity that should keep its charm. Only my opinion again!