Monticello Methodist Church of Fairfield County S.C.

5120 Highway 215 South

City Directories and History: Contractor Jacob Bookman, of whom little has been recorded, constructed both Little

R&R HISTORY LINK: LITTLE RIVER BAPTIST CHURCH

River Baptist as well as Monticello Methodist churches using the same artisans who did the fine plaster work, built the simple church pews, turned the balustrade for the slave gallery and simply executed two of Fairfield

Courtesy of the S.C. Dept. of Archives and History

County’s outstanding examples of artisanship. Members of the building committee for the church included; Daniel B. Kirkland, Col. William Alston, Capt. J.K. Davis, and J. James. The church was constructed on large granite blocks and measures some 40-70 feet. At the time of the church’s early start, the Rev. A.J. Cathen was minister and Rev. R.J. Boyd served as presiding elder.

Images courtesy of photographer Bill Segars – 2006

Monticello Methodist Church

Postal Map of 1896 showing the area of Fairfield County associated with the production of Winnsboro Blue Granite. Courtesy of the Un. of N.C.

According to a history of Monticello Methodist Church, the building was constructed in 1861 by Jacob Bookman. The church is significant as a very intact example of a mid-nineteenth century rural church building. The interior retains the original pews as well as the former slave gallery along three wall elevations. The church is a one-story, front gable-roofed, weather boarded frame building in the Greek Revival style with a meeting house floor plan. The façade end of the gable is pedimented with a boxed cornice, plain frieze, and has a semicircular vent in the gable. The portico is supported by octagonal wooden columns on a stepped brick entrance. The façade has three entrance doors topped by Gothic Revival inspired pointed-arched, modern stained glass transom windows. The central entrance also has modern stained glass sidelights above wooden panels. The side elevations have multi-light, shuttered windows. There is a cemetery to the left of the church. Listed in the National Register December 6, 1984. [Courtesy of the S.C. Dept. of Archives and History]

Click on the More Information > link to find additional data – A Fairfield County Sketchbook, by J.S. Bolick, 2000 (Courtesy of the FCHS)

A stop on the Little White Church Jaunt – A Driving Tour

Also see link: Fairfield County History / Sites and Structures

Stay Connected

Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.

Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.

User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.

R&R HISTORY LINK: The Old Davis Plantation House

R&R HISTORY LINK: NATIONAL REGISTER IMAGE(S)

R&R HISTORY LINK: THE DAVIS PLANTATION

R&R HISTORY LINK: MONTICELLO POST OFFICE

Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.

Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.

Thanks!

ARCHITECTURAL IMAGES OF NOTE