By Faith and by Might
Hebron Church: A church built on faith and determination.
The End of a Not so Civil War
After the War and Reconstruction, the white Presbyterian Church of the South dropped all Negroes from their rolls, causing the formerly enslaved to find their own place of worship. Most of the formerly enslaved were determined to remain within the Presbyterian faith. Rev. Moultrie went about organizing Black Presbyterian churches as mission churches to the Northern Presbyterian Church.
It is of the few wooden church buildings that has survived for over 150 years on Johns Island.
Hebron Presbyterian Church was organized in 1865 on a site 500 feet from Gregg Plantation, about a 1 1/4 miles from its present location on Johns Island. The first place of worship was a bush tent and from the tent the wooden building was erected.
The Hebron Center, formerly Hebron Presbyterian Church, was constructed in 1868 by formerly enslaved individuals. In 1867, a small group of freed, formerly enslaved people submitted a petition to the Presbyterian Synod to establish a “Freedman’s church.” The builders of Hebron Presbyterian Church did not wait for the church’s official blessing and moved forward to complete the structure. The church has served the Black community on Johns Island since its origin in 1868.
During this time, what the members lack in money and education, they made up for it through ambition and determination. The material from which the first building was erected was lumber they found floating on Seabrook and Kiawah beaches from a shipwreck. The material was gathered by the organizing members, put together a raft and floated to Mullet Hall and Hope Plantation. It was hauled to the present site by oxen, cart, and horses.
Sources:
- Hebron Zion Presbyterian Church (USA), 121st Anniversary and 16th Annual Tea Booklet, September 28, 1986, courtesy of Avery Research Center Archives.
- Charleston County Historic Preservation Commission Records.
A Levite Appears
The Reverend Ishmael Moultrie was born into slavery on Edisto Island, S.C. There are no record of his parents as yet, however, he had a brother named Jacob K. Moultrie. Rev. Ishmael Moultrie organized lowcountry island Blacks in the period after slavery. As a result of his hard work and dedication, he became the first untrained minister to be ordained by the First Negro Presbytry of Catawba in 1866. Moultrie built his first church from Palmetto Trees in Edisto Island. Between 1866 and 1869, he organized churches on John's Island, Wadmalaw Island, St Andrews, Salem and St.Paul. He was also an educator and taught many students to read the Bible and write English. He worked with the Society for the Propagation of Gospels and many of black students under his teachings, became Salem's leaders and preachers. Moultrie was on the Committee of Freedmen of Edisto Island, S.C. and wrote a letter to General O.O Howard about the conditions of black people after the civil war. This document can be found in the National Archives in Washington D.C. With his knowledge, Rev. Moultrie started a private school which he continue to teach many students. Four of his students went to Brainard Institute. He continued to minister and teach for 26 years until his death in 1892.
Source: Ishmael Moultrie, Find a Grave. findagrave.com
The Architects
The architectural work was done by Messrs. Jackson McGill and John Chisolm, former enslaved carpenters. This building was erected in less than three years. In April 1870, Reverend Moultrie led the march from the bush tent to the new building. The membership roll had 225 congregants which was not recorded by the national Presbyterian Church until 1873.
Over the years, this church has had a membership of 650, with 12 ruling elders and seven deacons serving the congregation.
Photo depicts a right-angle view from the balcony, where congregants worshiped.
Sources:
- Hebron Zion Presbyterian Church (USA), 121st Anniversary and 16th Annual Tea Booklet, September 28, 1986.
- The Charleston Historic Preservation Commission, 2021.
A History of the Presbyterian Church from 1706-Present.
Source: The Presbyterian Historical Society National Archives. https://www.history.pcusa.org/collections/research-tools/guides-archival-collections/rg-3017
The Torch Bearers
Education and mission were two major priorities within the African American Presbyterian church (as it was in the white Presbyterian churches). Under the Reverend John Henry Washington, a preschool was established and lasted for 28 years.
The Reverend John Henry Washington was the longest serving pastor of Hebron and Zion Presbyterian churches.
The following ministers served Hebron Presbyterian Church over the years:
- Reverend Ishmael Moultrie, 1865-1870
- Reverend S.D. Campbell, 1871-1896
- Reverend Gardner, 1896-1897
- Reverend Gray 1898-1914
- Reverend S.D. Thom 1914-1919
- Reverend S.H. Scott, 1921-1932
- Reverend L.C. Coleman, 1932-1935
- Reverend U.L. Brewer, 1935-1946
- Reverend John Henry Washington, 1947-1984
- Reverend Alonza A. Washington, 1986-2000
- Reverend Henry Rivers, 2000-2015
- Reverend McKinley Washington, Jr., 2015-2018
- Commissioned Lay Pastor/Parish Associate, James Parlor 2017-2018
- *Reverend Patricia Bligen Jones, 2018-Present
Source:
- Hebron Zion Presbyterian Church (USA), 121st Anniversary and 16th Annual Tea Booklet, September 28, 1986.
- Photo of Reverend J.H. Washington courtesy of the Avery Research Center, Charleston, SC.
*Reverend Patricia Bligen Jones is the first woman to be ordained and installed as pastor of Hebron Zion Presbyterian Church. She was installed and ordained on September 23, 2018.
Church Growth in Challenging Times
With growth, comes changes. Reverend Moultrie organized Zion Presbyterian Church in April 1870, as a daughter church of Hebron Presbyterian in an effort to better meet the needs of the growing congregation living south of Bohicket Road. The members of both churches originally worshipped in a bush tent.
Rev. Moultrie knew the importance of a solid education. During his service on Edisto Island, SC, he organized the Hope School, which would later become Larimer School, which served Edisto residents for 90 years.
Photo: With The steps to the right balcony in the old Hebron Church, now Hebron Center.
Photo Credit: Reverend Patricia Bligen Jones
Service to the Community
Since its inception, Hebron and Zion churches were committed to the worship and work of God and takes pride in the mission God has called it to accomplish.
Hebron Zion has reached out to the community with the John and Mattie Washington Preschool, Hebron St. Francis Senior Citizens Center, and the Emergency Food Pantry Ministry which continues to serve those in need. The Hebron Zion Senior Citizens Program is still operational.
Over the years, the church has had relationships with its sister churches in Charleston Atlantic Presbyterian and other churches as well. In the past, the church established a loving and working relationship with their sisters and brothers at the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, North Carolina.
Source: South Carolina State Legislature. House Resolution 5436. www.scstatehouse.gov/query
Photo Description: Descending steps at Hebron Center.
Photo Credit: Reverend Patricia Bligen Jones
In Life and Death, We Are All God's Children
The cemetery at Hebron Center serves as the final resting place for members of Hebron Zion Presbyterian Church.
Pictured: The tombstone of Ms. Dollie Smalls, July 14, 1897-March 26, 1969.
Photo Credit: Reverend Patricia Bligen Jones
Photo Credit: Reverend Patricia Bligen Jones
Lest We Forget Gethsemane
Elders Kathleen Green and Phillip Simmons share memories of attending the old Hebron Church. Both elders are "cradle" Presbyterians. Many of the early members of walked or rode their horse and buggy to church. Kathleen and Phillip grew up in a time when only men could serve as Elders in the church and women were not ordained as ministers.
Photo Credit: Reverend Patricia Bligen Jones
A Faithful Family of Believers
Phillip Simmons' family has been in the church for at least four generations.
Photo Credit: Reverend Patricia Bligen Jones
The Elders
Elders. From left: Elijah B. Freeman, a young Phillip Simmons, George Blake, and Josephine Simmons Robinson circa late 1970s early 1980s.
Source: Hebron Zion Presbyterian Church (USA), 121st Anniversary and 16th Annual Tea Program Booklet, September 28, 1986, from the Avery Research Institute Archives.
Learning From Our Elders
Cohorts of the 2024 Clemson University Historic Preservation Program's Johns Island Field School engage Ms. Barbara Goss Brown about how she endured and survived segregation, racism, and oppression on the Sea Islands.
Pictured from left to right: James "Tae" Height, Jr., Ms. Barbara Brown Goss, and LeAnn Morrison.
Photo Credit: Reverend Patricia Bligen Jones
Then and Now
Where do we go from here?
We will continue to move forward because we can do no other.
God gathered his people on this Island for a purpose and mission, and that is to worship God, serve others, love our neighbors as ourselves, and make disciples who will go out into the world and share the Good News!
Faith sustains us, and it is by faith and action that we will continue to serve God and community.
We are a faith-driven, love encompassing, justice-oriented, connectional church within the PCUSA.
It is our goal to love all people, at all times, through all things.
Source(s):
- Top photo from the book A Place Called St. John's by Laylon Wayne Jordan and Elizabeth Stringfellow
- Bottom photo taken by Reverend Patricia Bligen Jones
