Bethel AME Church was one of numerous churches established by the AME denomination in Reconstruction-era South Carolina.  It was the first church established for African Americans in McClellanville.  Likely built by Samuel Drayton, a formerly enslaved carpenter, the church is both an excellent example of late-19th century Gothic Revival church architecture and a tangible expression of former slaves’ newfound freedom.

KEYWORDS: NATIONAL REGISTER, AME, RECONSTRUCTION, BETHEL, GOTHIC REVIVAL, MCCLELLANVILLE, CHARLESTON COUNTY, GULLAH GEECHEE CULTURAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR