During Slavery and the Civil War, Negroes received their religious training where they worked in the gallery of the white churches. This was true all over the South, this community was no exception.
In Eighteen hundred and Eighty, the Honorable William D. Johnson of Marion, South Carolina, owned a large portion of land in the Clio community. He felt that the Black families needed a place to worship. He donated enough land for a church and cemetery for the plantation workers. The Johnson, McCall, Harley, Bethea, and McDuffie families and many others were the recipients of his generosity. Because of their loyalty the Honorable William was delighted to give the land.
As a result of his kind deed the first Ebenezer was erected. The church was located 1 ½ miles southeast on Highway #9. Reverend Essec Dargan was pastor during the implementation of the first Ebenezer. Reverend I. Williams was pastor during the implementation of the second Ebenezer, it was located next door. Reverend W.L. Edwards was pastor during the implementation of the third and present Ebenezer.
“In This House One Hundred Ten Years Ago, A Consecrated Few, Vowed To Uphold the Laws Of God from Pulpit to Pew”.