PUMPKINTOWN, SC – A historic Black Church in the Upstate has received a $250,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.
The Soapstone Preservation Endowment (SPE) was selected from among 622 applications nationwide to receive a 2025 grant that goes to “support growing a perpetual endowment to protect & promote Soapstone Baptist Church's buildings & grounds.”
The story of Soapstone has spread throughout the Upstate because of the efforts of Mable Owens Clarke, the sixth-generation steward and matriarch of the church. In 1999, her mother, Lula Mae, made her promise never to let the historically Black church close. As part of her mission, Clarke began holding monthly fish fries for the community for the next 22 years. The preservation site today boasts the church, one-room school, a slave cemetery, and soapstone rock outcrops used by the Cherokee for centuries as the source material for cooking implements.
“I stand amazed by God’s blessings of this tiny church. We are deeply moved and humbled by the recognition granted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation,” said Clarke.
Carlton Owen, Chairman of SPE, said that the nonprofit was established in June 2022 to amass a perpetual fund to protect the history and legacy of the Liberia Community and its centerpiece, Soapstone Baptist Church.
“When we began our work, few believed that we could ever achieve an audacious $1 million goal. Yet, in less than three years and with the benefit of this generous award we stand within sight of the finish line. We have faith that God will continue to bless this important work as we seek to obtain the remaining $200,000 needed to forever protect and promote this special place in South Carolina history,” he said.
To date, SPE has raised more than $250,000 from foundations, individuals, and businesses that through the sponsorship and support of State Rep. Davd Hiott (R -Pickens), and State Rep. Chandra Dillard (D -Greenville) was matched dollar-for-dollar by the State of South Carolina in recognition of the site’s historic importance and tourism value to the county, state, and region.
Those wishing to help fill the gap in funding may do so by sending checks to SPE, PO Box 454, Marietta, SC 29661 or via online donations at soapstonepe.org.
Owen said the endowment is seeking 60 businesses, churches, or individuals/families who will join 40 others that accepted the “Partnership Challenge” of becoming “1-of-100” giving tax deductible gifts of $3000 one-time or $1000/year over three years.
“We faithfully believe we will reach our goal in 2025 -- 160th anniversary of the establishment of the Liberia Community and Soapstone Baptist Church,” Owen said.
In 2017, The National Trust for Historic Preservation launched its African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a program that makes an important and lasting contribution to the American landscape by preserving sites of African American activism, achievement, and resilience, said Brent Leggs, Executive Director for the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and Senior Vice President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
“I am pleased (Soapstone Baptist Church) is one of 30 historic Black churches to receive this inaugural grant award. The work you are doing to preserve your historic Black church and tell the full American story is energizing and inspiring,” he said.