Bull Swamp Colored School And Community Center

The 1936 Bull Swamp Colored School was once a hub of activity for the rural Bull Swamp Baptist Church and surrounding communities in Orangeburg, SC.  Like many historical structures that have survived, many remain in disrepair. Our Mission is to Restore, Repurpose and Resurrect this structure to it's former glory. Because the school was deeded back to the Trustees of the Bull Swamp Community in 1959 from Orangeburg School District Five for the expressed and documented purpose of developing a "Community Center," we are honored with this endeavor to comply.

The Title for the Old Colored School's Project is: "3R's For the Bull Swamp Colored Schoolhouse: Restore, Repurpose, and Resurrect."
One of the major objectives is to preserve an old school which was built nestled near Bull Swamp Creek on land purchased by former slaves. The land was purchased on May 3, 1867, two years after the end of slavery. The forested area of the property still provides wonderful aquatic and wildlife habitats. Early baptism was conducted in Bull Swamp Creek.

The preservation efforts of 2024 have restored and enhanced the only remaining three classroom Rosenwald influenced structure in South Carolina as recorded by South Carolina Department of Archives and History. The school received funding under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration (WPA) (Times & Democrat Newspaper, February 27, 1936). We are endeavoring to build on the purpose vision and community service vision of the Original Trustees of the Bull Swamp Community, who were deeded the property from Orangeburg School District Five on January 23, 1959, for the expressed and documented purpose of developing a "Community Center" to serve the needs of citizens of rural Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties.

Testimonials

Rarely in the Southeast do you find a church, the old school, and cemetery together in one place having historical significance. Lumber materials used in 1919 to construct the existing church has been dated back to the mid to early 1890's. Wooden roofing shakes are still visible in the attic of the current church today. The old school was constructed with eight-inch heart pine wooden boards and cuts to make German shiplap style for the exterior of the building.