South Carolina S 1017: St. Peter's AME Church

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 1017 Text of Previous Version (Mar. 17, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 1017

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE St. Peter AME Church UPON THE dedication 
of its historical marker AND TO COMMEND the church FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF 
DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize St. Peter AME Church as it 
celebrates this important milestone; and

Whereas, St. Peter AME 
Church was established by five former enslaved people, Peter Caldwell, Henry 
Glover, Albert Pauling, Elijah Robinson, and F. W. Williams, who shared a 
vision and determination to create a place of worship. They purchased a parcel 
of land from Thomas Ulmer for the modest sum of eight dollars. At that time, 
the land belonged to Orangeburg County, and the deed was officially recorded on 
August 4, 1881; and

Whereas, though 
Caldwell, Glover, Pauling, Robinson, and Williams became the first trustees of 
the church, financial difficulties prevented them from realizing their dream of 
erecting a church building. In the beginning, the church body held services in 
a bush harbor, an informal setting that reflected the limited resources 
available to them; and

Whereas, the first 
pastor of the organized congregation was the Reverend Adam Williams. His 
successor, Reverend W. M. McDuffie, worked relentlessly alongside his 
parishioners to bring their vision to life. Their hard work paid off when the 
construction of the church was finally completed in July of 1906; and

Whereas, the mission of 
St. Peter was twofold: alongside the church, a school was built on the premises 
to serve as the first educational institution for African American children in 
Calhoun County. Professor Andrew Black, who also played an educational role 
during the church's bush harbor days, served as the principal and head teacher 
until his passing in 1942; and

Whereas, over the 
years, St. Peter has been blessed with many remarkable pastors, including 
Reverend B. F. Hildebrand, B. F. Sumter, J. S. Hunter, and W. J. Baxter, the 
latter of whom also served as a Presiding Elder. The church has undergone 
significant modernization, both spiritually and materially. Under the guidance 
of Reverend E. O. Vance, the original building was brick veneered, while during 
Reverend Baxter's leadership, the church was refurbished with new stained-glass 
windows, the purchase of its first organ, and the installation of a phonics 
system; and

Whereas, Reverend 
Virginia Stith oversaw the re-roofing of the church, and Reverend Saint Julian 
Snider managed renovations of the Educational Complex, transforming the Senior 
Classroom into the W. D. Shepard Conference Room to honor a pastor who greatly 
contributed to the church building fund. Additionally, Sister Ethel Joseph, 
president of the St. Peter AME Church of New York Club, generously donated a 
new steeple; and

Whereas, in 2016, St. 
Peter's faced damage from inclement weather. Following the prayers and 
determination of church members, including David Glivens, Howard Jackson, Carl 
Simmons, and Gladys Simmons, and with the support of Reverend Fair and 
permission from Bishop Samuel L. Green, a new church was erected in January 
2020 on land donated by Cora B. Black and her daughters. Reverend Fair, 
followed by Reverend Curry and then Reverend Larry J. Nelson, faithfully led 
the church until being succeeded by Reverend Virgil Hammett; and

Whereas, as of August 
16, 2025, the historical significance of St. Peter AME Church and School is 
acknowledged through the extensive research and dedicated effort of Pastor 
Virgil Hammett, Howard Jackson, Andrea Moore, Andrew Jackson, Charlene Jenkins, 
Christian Snell III, Lesa-Rice Jackson, Mary F. Mack, Stacy Cokely, and 
Tresslyn B. Irving. This cherished institution stands as a testament to the 
shared heritage of the members of the church congregation, as well as a symbol 
of the resilience and contributions of those who forged its path and those who 
continue to uphold its mission today; and

Whereas, the dedication 
and commitment of St. Peter AME Church to serving the people and the State of 
South Carolina is greatly appreciated. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved:

That St. Peter AME 
Church be congratulated upon the dedication of its historical marker and 
commended for its many years of dedicated service to the people and the State 
of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to the pastor of St. Peter AME 
Church, Reverend Virgil Hammett.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on March 17, 2026 at 12:14 PM