Protecting & Promoting the History of Soapstone Baptist Church
Fundraising Goal
When the Soapstone Preservation Endowment was created in June 2022, we established an initial goal of amassing $500,000 by the 160th Anniversary (December 2025) of the Liberia Community and Soapstone Baptist Church. We achieved that goal more than a year early! This "miracle" was made possible through the generosity of more than 135 donors— individuals, families, businesses, and foundations — who gave more than $250,000. But that's just half the story! The South Carolina Legislature (via the sponsorship of Rep. David Hiott (R), Pickens and Rep. Chandra Dillard (D), Greenville) approved a dollar-for-dollar matching grant that gets us the rest of the way there.
We are excited and pleased with the outpouring of support, especially Partners, as we turn our attention toward our long-term goal of growing the endowment to $1 million. An endowment of this amount will forever provide the financial needs to protect and promote the history and legacy of a people who persisted against all odds.
Please consider a generous, tax-deductible gift that will help us achieve our ultimate objective. We can do it with your help! We have no paid staff or fundraising expenses ... 100% of your gifts go into the endowment to advance our mission.
Soapstone School Undergoes Renovation
The one-room school which was once the only school for African American children in the area is undergoing renovation led generously by Harper General Contractors. The building plans to open to visitors spring of 2025.
Why is Soapstone Baptist Church important?
Soapstone Baptist Church was founded in the mid-1860s when freed slaves from surrounding South Carolina counties sought a path from being property to owning property. They felt God led them to this hilltop in Pickens County and used them and this land to change generations. It is currently the oldest active African American church in South Carolina.
What does the Endowment do?
The Endowment was created in 2022 to help manage and protect this important property and oversee the preservation of the land and buildings for their historic and cultural value. The Soapstone Preservation Endowment is a 501(c)(3) charity supporting the property and history; the operating church budget is provided by the members of Soapstone Baptist Church.
How can you help?
Your tax-deductible donations go to help preserve the oldest active African American church in the mountains of South Carolina and the site of what was once a majority-minority community in what Clemson University Professor Mike Coggeshall calls a "white space." Our goal is to amass a $1 million perpetual endowment with 100% of annual earnings going to advance mission without staff or overhead.
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Soapstone Preservation Endowment is recognized by the IRS as a Public Charity.
Tax ID: 92-0309884