Kierra Gilbert, Tyler Fuller, and Quinton Bent

This is a story about slavery and war, about cowardice and courage, about the nineteenth century and the twenty-first century. This is our story…our heritage…our legacy as Wesleyans. (Dr. Bob Black, Emeritus Professor at SWU).

Freedom’s Hill, the very first Wesleyan abolitionist church in the American South, is located on the campus of  Southern Wesleyan University. The worship services are led by students and informational programs are the main devotion of the chapel. It is the prologue to the contemporary ministry of our Church.

On November 8, 1842, five ministers (Orange Scott, Jotham Horton, LaRoy Sunderland, Luther Lee, and Lucius Matlack) announced that they were withdrawing from the Methodist Church they had loved and faithfully served. In his book explaining why they were leaving Methodism, Orange Scott gave two main reasons: the domineering hand of the bishops, and the wickedness of slavery. In this new dominion, there were to be no slave holders.

In 1847, Orange Scott died of overwork and tuberculous. His death occurred within the first four years into the life of the original denomination that he helped establish. Not only the nation, but the Church lost one of the greatest anti-slavery voices to ever be heard. Historian Donald Mathews of University of North Carolina and Princeton paid him that honor. At Scott’s funeral, Luther Lee voiced that, “He lived in advance of his age.” He gave his life to encourage the state to inform them of the harms of slavery.

Freedom’s Hill Church has done some extensive traveling. Originally the church was located in Colfax, North Carolina, until the director of the  SWU Physical Plant (Jonathan Catron) led a crew to Colfax. They carefully relocated the church on the campus in October 2000. The antiquated Freedom’s Hill Wesleyan Church became the brand-new construction on the property. Freedom’s Hill Church is now reformed and reborn. The building is both a duplication and refurbishment. Nearly all the interior is innovative-a majority of the those were the ceilings and walls, the pulpit, all the flooring, the pulpit, the pews, the platform, the lamp stands.  The outside was more badly dented by ants and the termites than anything. It was believed to be impossible to reserve most of it, so the renovation team created a realistic imitation of its original display. Freedom’s Hill Church was re-dedicated at the Southern Wesleyan University Homecoming in the following October in 2001. Who would have believed in 1848 that this church would have its door open during the 21^stcentury and survive the decade? Freedom’s Hill Church is still standing to this day—but what is even more important, is the fact that it still stands for the same principles it has always represented. It remains accurate to the two goals—the alteration of society in Jesus’ name and the redemption of souls.

Obviously, Freedom’s Hill Church is a place for worship. But what many people don’t know is that it is a symbol of basic human rights for women. The first convention held in the United States, for the rights of women, was held in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel at Seneca Falls, New York. In 1848, “Women’s rights” was not the radical feminism of today. If there was “political correctness” back then, it would be against women’s rights and not for them. The issues women faced were primarily the right to vote and in some states, worship and hold property in their own names. The first female ordained to the Christian ministry in the United States was Antionette Brown. Her ordination sermon was preached by a Wesleyan- Luther Lee. Antionette Brown was actually given the opportunity to preach in Freedom’s Hill church. Because of this, Freedom’s Hill church can be seen as symbol of basic human rights.

The last official service was held there in either 1939-40. The building had weathered the attacks of its enemies and also survived neglect from its friends. In 1973 the church was repaired and moved to the conference grounds of the North Carolina District of The Wesleyan Church in Colfax, North Carolina. Today, Freedom’s Hill Church is  re-born. The building is a restoration and replication. Almost the entire interior is original- most of the walls and ceiling, all of the flooring, the pulpit, the platform, the pews, the lamp stands and the window sashes. Today, Freedoms Hill Church proudly stand on the Campus of Southern Wesleyan University. It is a symbol of what SWU stands for — equality and devotion to God. Freedoms Hill is still a space where people can worship and live out the principles the church has always represented—the salvation of souls and the transformation of society in Jesus’ name.

Since its relocation to the campus of Southern Wesleyan University in October of 2000, Freedom’s Hill church as served as a grand historical addition to the grounds of Southern Wesleyan University as well as a focal point for the religious integrity present within the university. Today, the building acts as a location for church activities organized by students, as well as a unique venue for a wide variety of events and historical tours of campus. Understandably, as the student population has grown over the years, the church has seen less use than it did in its earlier history. Regardless, the church sees its greatest impact on campus in the form of being a symbol for the strength and persistence of God and the Wesleyan faith. Throughout its history, Freedom’s Hill church has stood as a testament to the power of religion and the fortitude of the human spirit when following the path of Christ, and it holds the same reverence here on the campus of Southern Wesleyan.

Freedom’s Hill is more than just a church building or antiquated piece of history. When visiting campus for the first time whether it be on a tour, athletic visit, or campus event, someone, be it a student or faculty, is bound to mention Freedom’s Hill. They will undoubtedly remark on its status as an important piece of Wesleyan history but also on its impact on the campus and anyone associated with the university. For the students, faculty, and alumni of Southern Wesleyan, the small church building is, in many ways, the heart of the campus. While the building itself unfortunately does not see as much use as it once did, there is an uncanny energy that the little building exudes on campus. The history of the church, its relevance in the history of the Wesleyan faith, as well as the religious energy present within its walls all contribute to Freedom’s Hill church being a focal point on the campus of Southern Wesleyan University with an impact that will ring strong for years to come.