James R. Rosemond
James R. Rosemond (Jim McBee; 1 February 1820 – 1902) was an American Methodist Episcopal preacher who was a former slave.[1] He was born in Greenville, South Carolina to Abraham and Peggy, and was eventually sold to entrepreneur Vardry McBee.[2] Rosemond was baptized in 1844. He became a leader in the local Methodist Episcopal, South church, and was licensed to preach on September 12, 1854.[2]
Rosemond was emancipated after the American Civil War. As part of the Methodist Episcopal post-war outreach, he organized 50 churches for Black communities in the South, including the John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church in Greenville in 1866.[2][3] In 1867, he attended the Baker Theological Institute and was ordained a deacon. In 1868, he was ordained an elder. He died in 1902 and is buried in St. Matthew Church.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ "Black History Month: John Wesley UMC played key role for Sterling High". The Greenville News. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
- ^ a b c d Huff, A.V. Jr. (20 June 2016). "Rosemond, James R." South Carolina Encyclopedia. University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
- ^ Places, National Register of Historic (1994). African American Historic Places. John Wiley & Sons. p. 441. ISBN 9780471143451.