Mary Jenkins Community Praise House

Mary Jenkins Community Praise House is one of only four praise houses remaining on St. Helena Island.  The small wood frame building, which was built c. 1900, represents a vernacular architectural form that has survived since the plantation era.  Paris Capers, born in 1863, was one of the early elders.  As a place of religious worship as well as community meetings, this praise house is an important reminder of St. Helena Island’s African American heritage.

KEYWORDS: NATIONAL REGISTER, ST. HELENA ISLAND, BEAUFORT COUNTY, PRAISE HOUSE, GULLAH GEECHEE CULTURAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR