Grits and Gospel in Historic Pendleton SC

Grits and Gospel 2012 was held April 21 at the Pendleton Community Center. The music began 9:30 and continued until 12 with Jacky Manley, Sandra Gantt, Clemson University Gospel Choir, and Sorelle Trio. The grits were served from 10 to 11 offering a variety of toppings and pastries. In addition, PPIM unveiled the South Carolina bronze marker was installed at the community center recognizing The Hundreds. Over 100 Tickets were sold for $8 for adults and $3 for children under 8 yrs of age. PPIM is very fortunate to partner with Clemson University's Community Health Promotion Class under the leadership of Sarah Griffin. The students work very hard on this event as well as the Health and Heritage Trails.Grits and Gospel in Pendleton South Carolina is sponsored by Pendleton Pride In Motion, a non profit community organization. Pendleton Pride In Motion partnered with Clemson University's Community Health Promotion Class (HLTH 480).This event is a fundraiser for the Mission of Pendleton Pride In Motion to provide for a "Healthier" Pendleton including the sponsorship of a South Carolina Bronze Marker for "The Hundreds" recognizing African American Heritage in Pendleton and continuation of the PPIM $1,000 "Quality of Life" Scholarship to a deserving PHS Senior. It was decided that in 2013, the fundraiser will be a Walk-a-Thon instead of another Grits and Gospel. It is scheduled for April 13, 2013 and registration forms are available at The Palmetto Bank. The PPIM Walk-a-Thon was a big success and a lot of fun but I think some folks missed the Grits and Gospel. The 2014 Walk-a-Thon will be April 12.

Photo Credit: Grits and Gospel flyer designed by Clemson University Health Promotion Class. Photos from the 2012 Grits and Gospel by Jesse Von Fange and Nancy Hellams

Built in the 1930s, this is one of the few remaining examples of the libraries built for African-Americans in South Carolina and Georgia by the Faith Cabin Libraries. The organization was founded by Willie Lee Buffington, a poor white mill worker from Saluda. Buffington went on to graduate from Furman and became a Methodist minister. His organization from the 1930s to 1950s started more than a 100 libraries with more than 200,000 donated books. Pendleton's Faith Library is one of only two still standing in SC.

These students were very involved in the organizing and promotion of this event. I asked Dr. Sarah Griffin to describe this class and it's involvement with Pendleton Pride In Motion:The Community Health Promotion class at Clemson University is comprised of 34 Public Health Sciences and Language and International Health students. All of the students are Juniors or Seniors. This course focuses on participatory approaches to planning and implementing community health programs. The course emphasizes professional ethics, coalition building, collaboration, participatory assessment and evaluation, and special event planning. Through partnering with Pendleton Pride in Motion the students get a hands-on experience in helping a successful coalition with multiple health projects.

It is said that it was called "The Hundreds" because folks gathered there by the hundreds.

Newly renovated

The following information was taken from the Pendleton District Commission Website:In 1874, African-American Baptists in Pendleton founded Silver Spring Church. Many youth received their early education there, including Jane Hunter who went on to found the nationwide Phillis Wheatley Association. The church is located on Jackson Street in Pendleton, SC 29670. Churchyard contained 75 marked grave sites. The congregation's newer building is located on N. Mechanic Street.

New Holly Light Baptist Church Website