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St. Phillip A.M.E. Church,

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 Formerly Royal Chapel Church (part of Silk Hope Plantation now church cemetery on HWY 402) was established in 1905.The original church(Royal Chapel possibly dating back to late 1800's early 1900's) was said to have burnt down due to sparks from a passing train. The members got together because of the distance traveled decided to move the Church to the present location 3205 Steed Creek Rd Huger, SC. Peter Ladson donated the land.

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The Church was rebuilt with monies from church members and the insurance settlement. George Mathis was said to have been the head carpenter, along with George Mathis all the men helped with the construction of the church. The first marriage performed was that of Peter & Julia Ladson by the first pastor of St. Phillip AME Church, Rev. Henry McDaniel on January 18,1906. The first known baptism was that of Beatrice Mae Ladson Thomas in 1907 daughter of Peter and Julia Ladson.

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The earliest known families to attend the church are the Ladson Family (Peter,and J.F.),West Adam Family, Hardy  Family (Warren,David and Blunt), Middleton Darby Family, McDaniel Family, Billy Lucas Family,John and Betty Lucas Family, Bess Family ( Alvin and Frank ), Hugh Brown Family,Mathis Family, Emma Webb Family  and Henrietta Green Family.Families from the founding family still presently attend the church.

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Pastor's that served  St. Phillip African Methodist  Episcopal Church 1905-present are Rev. Henry McDaniel, John Frank Ladson,Waring,Wigfall, C.H.Chisolm, Wilson, Abraham  Campbell, Singeltary,W.T Murray,Samuel Thompson, Wilford Kinlaw, Isaac Grant, James Smalls, Harry Frazier, Emmy Williams, Rodney Jenkins Sr., Harvey  Doctor, Hope Coleman, Dr. Earl Harris, Dr. Juenarrl keith, and Viola A. Hardy (Present Pastor). Rev. Willie Brown served as Local Elder from 1958-2008.  

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 St. Phillip A. M.E. Church was rebuilt in 1961 under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Samuel Thompson.St. Phillip and Charity AME Church shared a pastor until 1985 when St. Phillip became a stationed church under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Wilford Kinlaw. In the late 1980’s – early to mid 1990’s the church grew spiritually and financially as a result several  addition were added;a larger choir loft, a kitchen ,A/C system, a pastor study, PA system and in 1994 a new addition the fellowship hall was added these were all done under the leadership of Rev. Wilford Kinlaw and Rev. Isaac Grant.

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In the late 1990’s–early 2000’s Rev. Harry L. Frazier continued to build upon the Spiritual body as well as the  temple of Christ, the Church. Bible study grew as well as visitors those whom frequently visited the church. The members got behind the leadership of Rev. Frazier as a result  several  upgrade and addition  were added a larger pastor study, two new restroom, directory sign, a new roof, new stained glass windows, handicap ramps, side walk, the church steeple and new porch. The sanctuary also got a total new look.

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No other addition or upgrades were done to the building until these three pastoral assignments: Rev. Harvey Jerome Doctor 2008-2012, Rev. Hope C. Coleman 2012-2014 and Rev. Earl Harris 2014-2022. Under Rev. Doctor’s leadership the kitchen got an upgrade adding countertops and cabinets, God gave him and the member’s the vision to see that there was a need to bring aid to the disadvantage and as a result St. Phillip AME Church food pantry was up and running by Sept of 2009. Rev. Doctor started the YIM Ministry in which the youth help fund the lighting, lettering and Memorial Garden Project. The women restroom was upgraded in the process. 

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 Under Rev. Coleman leadership here at St. Phillip she stressed that the officers should lead from the front and not the rear. As a result the entire interior of the church was painted; a complete overhaul of the A/C system was added as well as new carpeting in the sanctuary and she dedicated the existing fellowship hall as Bro. Benjamin Bess Fellowship Hall.  

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 In 2015, the church is embarking on a total transformation as our new Pastor Rev. Harris calls it team work. Working together to better the next generation. on June 28th, 2015 we celebrated 110 years of Love, Joy and Unity. Psalm 133:1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! After 111 years on May 21, 2016 the church finally laid it 1st cornerstone. In 2016 we expanded the parking lot, replaced an air unit that was stolen, upgraded the foyer, painted the church  building exterior, replaced the entire roof, and upgraded the existing sound system.

 

In 2017 under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Earl Harris we replaced the drum set, added new offering table and offering plates and thanks to the generosity of Bishop Samuel L. Green, Presiding Elder Juenarrl Keith and the 7th Episcopal District we were able to purchase a baptismal font, Partition doors and new set of tables and chairs for the Benjamin Bess Fellowship Hall. In 2018 we are embarking on a $30,000 campaign to replace and upgrade the church foundation and add new flooring.

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During the 112th Session of the Palmetto Annual Conference, Bishop Green placed St. Phillip in the hands of our very capable Presiding Elder, Dr. Juenarrl Keith. Dr. keith was our pastor until September 4, 2022. During Communion Sunday, The Rev. Viola A. Hardy, at this time was an associate pastor at St. John AME - Wando, was assigned her first Pastoral Appointment as the Pastor of St. Phillip AME Church-Huger. Rev. Hardy is very eager to continue the work of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ! 

 

Marked African American graves (The Royal Chapel Cemetery) dates back to ca.1917 (Jardon Hardy Death Record) thru the present time. 1925 ca. graves are mention as part of Silk Hope Plantation records via United States Department of Interior National Register of Historical places.Betty Lucas Death Record(1939) shows the connection between Royal Chapel Cemetery and St. Phillip A.M.E. Church listing being buried in St. Phillip A.M.E. Church  Yard.

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Church history was given via a letter written to Sis. Emma  J. Williams from Beatrice Mae  Ladson Thomas in 1997 and Rev. Willie Brown Sr. & Sis. Janie Bess Gadsden in 1994. Information compiled by  Emma  J.  Williams and Carolyn Brunson and from the United States Dept of Interior National Register of Historical places. Additional research by Sis. Genese McNeil McDaniel.