Education through Photography

Photography has often peaked my curiosity to find out more about some of the subjects in my photos. This was evident Friday when I photographed this old church in Columbia, SC. I had to find out more about the history of this building with the painted windows.

The results of a little Googling ...
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1921 at a cost of $75,000, The architect was John Anderson Lankford, one of the first registered African American architects in the United States. The church was an important hub during the civil rights movement and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The church has relocated and plans are now underway to convert the vacant building into a black history museum and cultural arts center.