Historic Soapstone Church Raises $1 Million for Preservation Efforts

The Historic Preservation Triumph of Soapstone Baptist Church

In a remarkable achievement for historical preservation, a church with roots tracing back to the 1860s has successfully raised over $1 million to safeguard its legacy. Soapstone Baptist Church in South Carolina, founded by newly freed slaves, has completed a significant fundraising campaign to ensure the conservation of its site for future generations.

Soapstone Baptist Church, located in Pickens County, finalized its three-year endeavor to establish a preservation endowment worth $1 million. This effort was initiated to maintain the church and its grounds, recognized as a historical site.

Mable Owens Clarke, a deacon and board member of the Soapstone Preservation Endowment, shared insights into the campaign’s purpose. In an email to The Christian Post, Clarke stated, “We formed the endowment because the church and grounds are a historic site and we wanted to be certain it would be maintained long after services might end.” She highlighted the widespread support from a global community that contributed to the church’s preservation. Clarke expressed profound gratitude for the successful campaign, describing it as “our happy accomplishment.”

Clarke also pointed out important milestones, such as the South Carolina Legislature’s commitment of $250,000 in matching funds, spearheaded by Rep. David Hiott and Rep. Chandra Dillard. This pledge was made after the endowment raised an initial $250,000. Further support came through a $250,000 matching grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, attained after two previous attempts.

The final phase of the fundraising involved gathering commitments from 100 entities, including individuals and organizations, each contributing at least $3,000 in one-time or cumulative gifts.

The Rev. Chester “Chet” Trower Jr., the lead pastor of Soapstone Baptist Church for nearly 15 years, expressed his gratitude for reaching this significant financial goal to Fox Carolina, saying, “To God be the glory. People from near and far have answered the call to help preserve this sacred place and its story in American history.”

This success is part of a broader initiative as Soapstone Baptist Church was among 30 historically African American congregations to receive a share of $8.5 million in grants from the NTHP’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund this year. In their February release, the NTHP emphasized, “The Black Church has been foundational to American history and culture. Through the generous support of our partners, we remain committed to ensuring the legacies and history of historically Black Churches live on for generations to come.”