(Marker Front)

This church, founded in 1886, was

organized by Revs. D.A. Christie and

C. Heyward with Sol Ellerbe and

Galas Culay, Walter Montgomery, and

Henry Tilley as stewards. Its first

services were in a brush arbor, and

its first sanctuary was built nearby in

1887. This sanctuary, a frame building

later covered in brick veneer was built

in 1892.

(Marker Reverse)

Member Robert Lee Williams (1862-1949)

was a community leader and progressive

farmer. When he died at the age of 87

Elloree businesses closed in his memory

and the New York Times called him

"generally and sincerely mourned." The

church also hosted numerous meetings

during the Civil Rights Movement of the

1950s and 60s seeking to desegregate

local schools and businesses.

Marker is on West Cleveland Street (State Road 47) near Church Street, on the right when traveling south.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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