Margaretta P. Childs African American church records project

The materials in this collection form the working files of Margretta P. Childs's attempted project to collect and house the records of Charleston's black churches at the South Carolina Historical Society. The collection contains mostly photocopied correspondence from Childs to various ministers regarding church records and brief histories of some of the churches. Also included are photocopies of many Work Projects Administration (WPA) church surveys (1936) for the Charleston area, which include address, building description, listings of any known records and erection dates for each church, as well as programs of yearly meetings and church services. Of note is a photocopied letter (1908) from Arthur L. MacBeth and a musical program (1940) from the Centenary (Church) Players.

Information for Charleston area black churches includes address, building description, listings of any known records and erection dates for each church.

Photocopies of correspondence regarding church and Civil Rights records, as well as newspaper clippings regarding Calvary. Photocopy of an 1849 letter of consecration for the church.

Programs for centennial, 115th, 123rd and 126th anniversaries. Photocopy of letter from Arthur L. MacBeth regarding his resignation as a trustee. Program of the Centenary Players, Aunt Minnie from Minnesota.

Photocopies of minutes and photograph of Morris Street church. Photocopies of newspaper clippings of both Morris and Central Baptist churches.

Photocopied clipping from Charleston Illustrated concerning Mt. Zion. Photocopy of a brief history of Mt. Zion by Reverand N. B. Sterret.

Newspaper clipping regarding Reverend Frank Portee.

Includes dedication program, newsletter, membership pamphlet, annual meeting programs, and Church service program. Letter to church members regarding lack of contributions. Reports of various committees.

Photocopy of a letter from Reverend C.H. Hall resigning from St.John's and a clipping regarding Grace Chapel, Rockville.

Photocopy of article on the Reformed Episcopal Church in South Carolina. Program of St. Mark's church service. Photocopied article regarding St. Mark's and the color line among colored people. Photocopied title page, Work Among the Colored People, and photocopied letter regarding the history of St. John Episcopal Church.

Includes installation invitation and program, photocopy of program for National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Lincoln-Douglass Memorial meeting, a copy of a photograph of Reverend Frierson and family, and a photocopy of a short history of the church.

Information concerning various churches on Charleston's East Side. Also various materials regarding city planning and the East Side.

Regarding Edisto Island, John's Island, Hebron, Promised Land, St. James, Wallingford and Moving Star Hall. Photocopies of photographs of Edisto Island Presbyterian, Promised Land, Hebron, John's Island Presbyterian and Moving Star Hall. Docket for spring meeting of the Presbyterian of the Atlantic. Photocopy of a brief historical sketch of the Presbyterian church among southern blacks.

With the Presbyterian Library in Montreat, North Carolina concerning Charleston black church records.

Concerning the set up of black church records at the South Carolina Historical Society. Photocopy of a letter by Samuel Gaillard Stoney regarding alleged police brutality against a black woman at St. James Goose Creek church.