About Historic Liberty Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church

On June 21, 1867, five years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and 91 years after the Declaration of Independence, Aaron Smythe, Justice Martin, Isham Buchects, Moses Martin, William Briggs, Abraham Martin, Preston Ragin, Moses Oliver, and Guy Oliver, as trustees for the church, received a four acre tract acre of land from Thomas W. and Margaret Briggs for the consideration of $1.00 ”in hand” for the purpose of building a church and for the good and moral improvement of the colored population in the community. After years of meeting in houses and holding services in a bush arbor, these first trustees were finally ready to begin to process of building a real church. The first structure for worship placed on this property was a “lean-to” (a shed having a roof with only one slope). There is no information available for the years between 1867 and 1881, but in 1882 trustees Preston Ragin, Nero Wells, Morris Brooks, David Johnson, Thomas Hudson, and William Brailsford purchased from Emma L. Baker an additional three and three-fourths acres for $37.50.

It is not known exactly when the first church was actually constructed, but that building served as the place of worship until the “New” Liberty Hill AME Church was built.

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The names of pastors who served Liberty Hill during those early years are not known, but in 1899 a young pastor named Reverend Henry Charles DeLaine was assigned to Liberty Hill. He and the members began to dream of a beautiful temple to God situated on that hill. To that end he lent the church the sum of $600.00 so that the church might be built. The trustees then hired a saw mill to cut the timber. After the timber was cut it was then sent to Charleston to be soaked in the salt water in Charleston Harbor for six months, a common preservation practice at that time. Reverend De Laine personally inspected each piece of lumber that was sent. If there were knots or the timber was bent, he sent it back. Because Reverend De Laine was so picky, the sawmill owner quit and Reverend DeLaine’s sons Moses, Robert, Henry, and Leo were required to operate a saw mill and finish securing the timber for the church. The “New” Liberty Hill AME Church was completed, dedicated, and the cornerstone laid in 1905.

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In the early 1940’s Reverend Thompson was assigned to Liberty Hill. During his tenure the members decided to brick veneer the exterior and they began to raise the money to do so. The brick veneering was begun but before it was completed Reverend Thompson was transferred and Reverend E. E. Richburg was sent to lead the church. He immediately began working to complete the work Reverend Thompson had begun. Also under Reverend Richburg’s leadership, the church became a major meeting place for the Clarendon County desegregation movement on the late forty’s and early 50’s which became the Briggs v. Elliott Case. This case, heard before the US Supreme Court as a part of Brown v. Board of Topeka, KS, was the first case to enter the federal court system, and the first to reach the Supreme Court since Plessey v. Ferguson. Briggs v. Elliott was the primary case argued by Thurgood Marshall.

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After Reverend Richburg was made Presiding Elder, Reverend J. S. Hunter was sent to Liberty Hill. When Reverend Hunter was transferred, Reverend J. H. Morant was sent to Liberty Hill. Seeing the need for considerable repair, he led the church into a major renovation project. Reverend Morant remained at Liberty Hill for just a short period and in 1971 Reverend C. C. Gordon was assigned. Under his leadership the renovation was completed and the mortgage was paid off. The next two pastors were Reverend Jonathan J. Baker and Reverend George F. Flowers. Reverend Flowers saw the need for a educational building and led the church in its construction. The ground breaking ceremony was held on December 19, 1982, and the building was completed in 1984. On September 19, 1984, the cornerstone was laid, and on October 7, 1984 the dedication of the educational building took place.

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Reverend Malachi Duncan became the pastor in 1988. On September 21, 1989, Hurricane Hugo roared through causing considerable damage to the church. His leadership guided us through that trying period and during his tenure he focused on paying the mortgage and securing transportation for the church.

When Reverend Duncan was made Presiding Elder, Reverend Melvin Capers became the pastor. He remained until 2008 and Dr. Young was sent to carry out the year.

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Following Dr. Young was Rev. Leslie Lovett in the Fall of 2008. Rev. Lovett remained until January 2014, when Rev. Robert China was assigned to Liberty Hill. Following Rev. China, was Rev. Archie Temoney in 2019. Rev. Temoney ministered the church through the COVID 19 Pandemic, and was reassigned in October  2022, when our current Pastor, Rev. George E. Hicks, Sr., was assigned.

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Liberty Hill has endured many changes, hardships and controversies. The spirit of Liberty Hill began before the end of slavery even though the physical building came years later. Liberty Hill’s members have historically contributed to the well-being of our community and its progress. According to court records, of the twenty persons who signed the Briggs v. Elliott Desegregation Case, fourteen were members of Liberty Hill. They were Annie Gibson, Lucrisher Richardson, Lee Richardson, Mary Oliver, Onetha Bennett, James Bennett, William “Bo” Stukes, Frederick Oliver, Edward Ragin, William Ragin, Gabe Tindal, Hazel Ragin, Susan Lawson, and Henry Scott. Although theses persons signed, many more were actively involved in the case. Because of the involvement of Liberty Hill AME Church and its members, the church is now being considered for the national honor of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places as designated by the US National Parks Service. When the schools were integrated, Charles Hilton, Mary Oliver (Foye), Lucrisher Ragin (Green) and Rita McDonald (Jones) were the first to enroll in Summerton High School, quickly followed by Leola Ragin (Parks) and others. Rita MeDonald has the distinction of being the first black student to graduate from Summerton High School. Liberty Hill has seen many changes, and has had hardships and controversies but through them all God has been with us and we have kept our faith in the God we love and serve.