Last updated: October 2, 2024
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Hermon Presbyterian Church (Rock Hill, South Carolina)
African American Civil Rights Network
In 1869, forty-one African American women and men established Hermon Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina after leaving white Presbyterian churches. The group met for several years in rented spaces. As early as 1886, the church began operating a school for young children. In 1895, the congregation purchased land for a church building. Two years later, they broke ground and began construction on a Late Gothic Revival building with church members performing much of the labor. In 1903, the church completed construction.
Hermon Presbyterian played a significant role in Rock Hill’s local civil rights movement duringthe 1950s and 1960s. A significant catalyst for Hermon Presbyterian’s involvement was the church’s pastor, Rev. Cecil A. Ivory. Beginning in 1953, Ivory served as president of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In 1957, after a white bus driver mistreated a young black woman on a bus, Ivory arranged a mass meeting at Hermon Presbyterian and organized a bus boycott with the help of others.
Hermon Presbyterian, and Rev. Ivory, remained important to local organizing efforts into the next decade. In 1960, Ivory helped to organize, and participated in, lunch counter sit-ins and other demonstrations with local college students. In May 1961, several Freedom Riders arrived in Rock Hill, having passed safely through Virginia and North Carolina. Three riders, including John Lewis, were attacked and beaten by white counter protestors. Following the incident, Ivory and others rescued the riders then hosted them at a local college, and Hermon Presbyterian’s parsonage, where they were served a meal.
Hermon Presbyterian Church became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2023.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.
In 1869, forty-one African American women and men established Hermon Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina after leaving white Presbyterian churches. The group met for several years in rented spaces. As early as 1886, the church began operating a school for young children. In 1895, the congregation purchased land for a church building. Two years later, they broke ground and began construction on a Late Gothic Revival building with church members performing much of the labor. In 1903, the church completed construction.
Hermon Presbyterian played a significant role in Rock Hill’s local civil rights movement duringthe 1950s and 1960s. A significant catalyst for Hermon Presbyterian’s involvement was the church’s pastor, Rev. Cecil A. Ivory. Beginning in 1953, Ivory served as president of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In 1957, after a white bus driver mistreated a young black woman on a bus, Ivory arranged a mass meeting at Hermon Presbyterian and organized a bus boycott with the help of others.
Hermon Presbyterian, and Rev. Ivory, remained important to local organizing efforts into the next decade. In 1960, Ivory helped to organize, and participated in, lunch counter sit-ins and other demonstrations with local college students. In May 1961, several Freedom Riders arrived in Rock Hill, having passed safely through Virginia and North Carolina. Three riders, including John Lewis, were attacked and beaten by white counter protestors. Following the incident, Ivory and others rescued the riders then hosted them at a local college, and Hermon Presbyterian’s parsonage, where they were served a meal.
Hermon Presbyterian Church became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2023.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.