On Saturday, June 14, community members gathered to honor the legacy of the Oak Grove Colored School, which operated from 1900-1952. This schoolhouse was originally built to provide education for African American children in the segregated South.

The school was established on land donated by John Sewell (1831-1915), a Black farmer, along with his wife, Mary Sewell. The couple offered their land to establish a space where local African American children would receive an education.

The new historical landmark at 222 Cromer Rd. states on one side: “This is the former site of Oak Grove Colored School, est. 1900 as a public school for African Americans. It was built on a lot previously owned by John Sewell (1831-1915), a Black farmer who lived nearby. He conveyed the land to school trustees in 1899 and later sold them materials for opening. It was part of Lexington Co. School District No. 2 (Oak Grove).”

The marker continues on the other side: “Oak Grove was also called Sweet Gum Colored School and was housed in a wooden one-room building. Twenty-six students attended in 1900-01 with one teacher. In the mid-1930s around thirty-five students in grades 1-7 attended each day for a four-month term. The school closed in 1952 as part of the consolidation of Lexington Co.’s country schools. It burned down a few years later.” 

The event brought together descendants of John Sewell who came to pay their tribute to their ancestor’s legacy.

Among those in attendance were London Singleton and Zoe Matthews (fourth great granddaughters); Minister Denise Dervin Buckner (third great granddaughter); Harry D. Sewell (second great grandson); Pat Sewell Webb (second great granddaughter); Robert Sewell (great grandson); Donald Sewell (great grandson); and Shirley Sewell Law (great granddaughter).

Also in attendance was Gwen Corley Creighton, a second great-granddaughter of John Sewell and the president of The John Sewell Foundation, which played a key role in organizing the event. J.R. Fennell, Lexington County Museum director,  along with Vivian Glover and Ayanna Goines, representatives of The South Carolina African American Heritage Commission, were also in attendance. 

The event was sponsored by The John Sewell Foundation, The Lexington County Museum and The South Carolina African American Heritage Commission. The Lexington County Historical Society also financially supported the installation of the marker.