Founding and Early Worship
Bethel Baptist Church was established in 1884 by Black members of Sandy Level Baptist Church who wanted to form an independent congregation. Worship initially took place under a simple brush arbor—a temporary open-sided shelter commonly used at the time—following the model of brush arbor revivals. In 1892, the congregation constructed a modest frame sanctuary on McNulty Road near Boney Road.
Building Evolution
The original 1892 sanctuary received a granite veneer in 1952, enhancing its durability and aesthetic. In 2003, the church community completed a new sanctuary, marking a significant phase of modernization and growth that reflects its enduring presence in the area. A historical marker recognizing the church and its associated school was erected in 2009.
Role in Education and Segregated Community
From at least 1908, Bethel Baptist Church played a central role in Black education in Blythewood. It sponsored Bethel School—also known as Blythewood Colored School—on church-owned land. Around 1920, the church supported expansion through a two-teacher building financed by the Julius Rosenwald Fund. The complex eventually included a six-room elementary facility and a six-room concrete high school building.
Annie E. Hanberry and Educational Legacy
In 1936, Annie E. Hanberry, a graduate of Benedict College, became principal of the local school. She became the first African-American woman principal in South Carolina and actively advocated for equality—securing accreditation for Bethel School by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and ensuring her students had access to equivalent resources as white schools. In 1956, the school was named Annie E. Hanberry High School. After desegregation and district realignments, the high school was converted to Blythewood High School, and the elementary school was renamed Bethel-Hanberry Elementary.
Commemoration and Historical Recognition
- In February 2025, Blythewood Historical Society unveiled a marker honoring the legacy of Bethel School/Hanberry High School.
- The Bethel Baptist Church marker, erected in 2009, highlights the church’s founding, early meetings, building milestones, and school sponsorship.
Present-Day Profile
Today, Bethel Baptist Church stands as a testament to community resilience and progress. Located at 275 McNulty St, the church continues to serve as a spiritual and cultural anchor within Richland County . The current sanctuary, built in 2003, embodies both the congregation’s historical roots and its enduring vitality.
Summary of Historical Developments
- 1884: Church founded; worshiped under brush arbor
- 1892: First frame sanctuary built
- 1952: Granite veneer added
- 1908–1920s: Bethel School development with Rosenwald Fund
- 1936: Annie Hanberry becomes principal and school accredited
- 1956: School renamed Annie E. Hanberry High School
- 2003: New sanctuary construction
- 2009 & 2025: Historical markers commemorate church and school legacy
Bethel Baptist Church embodies a powerful journey from humble brush arbor gatherings to a prominent and active institution—anchored in faith, education, and community empowerment. Let me know if you’d like additional details on its programs, current leadership, or the broader context of Black education in South Carolina.
