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THE RENAISSANCE FOUNDATION
CULTURAL ARTS CENTER PROJECT SUMMARY

Historic Bethel Church was built at 1528 Sumter Street in 1921 and designed by John Anderson Lankford, the first registered African American architect in the United States, known as the “Dean of Negro Architecture.” He established a reputation as a renowned architect around the country because of his usage of elegant stained glass windows and grand steeples. Additional credits of Lankford include a new process for developing blueprints and a process for steel welding. He also established one of the first black architectural firms, which was in Washington, DC. Historic Bethel is only one of three monumental Romanesque structures designed by Lankford remaining in South Carolina.

Moved by the proud and illustrious history of historic Bethel, it is on the National Historic Register, a National Heritage Tour Site and included in the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center’s permanent exhibition “Churches of the South. Organized in 1996, the Renaissance Foundation became a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2001. Its mission: to provide cultural diversity, outreach, resources, partnerships and initiatives within the community in order to bridge the gaps of disparities and to provide a platform to address these issues. Therefore, The Renaissance Foundation Cultural Arts Center is committed to embracing diversity in the arts and to preserving the history of our past for future generations. Our vision is to renovate and restore the building to create a state-of-the-arts, 500 to 600-seat performing arts facility and museum that will enhance Columbia City Center’s inventory of venues. The Cultural Arts Center will allow easy access to hotels, restaurants and shops in downtown Columbia, one of the state’s eight tourist destinations.

Because of the historical significance of this building, the first level will include a museum. This level will house, protect, preserve and document the history of the African American faith community. This level is also to be a part of the Heritage Tour and will occupy primarily 1) the role of the role played by the African-American church to include education, civil rights and contributions made by notable parishioners; 2) history and artifacts of all African American denominations; 3) space to have work shop; an 4) a gift shop with memorabilia of events, tours, artists, etc.

The second level will encompass a hi-tech performing arts venue with a seating capacity of 500- 600 seats. In 2003 the City of Columbia appointed an Arts Task Force to assess the needs of the arts community. They identified the number one need for the arts community as a 500-600 seats performing arts venue. The Renaissance Foundation Cultural Arts Center will fill that need.

The third level will house the Bell Tower of Spirituality and Healing Chapel, serving as a meditation area for individuals, families, friends and patients at the neighboring hospitals. In keeping with the historical significance of the building, this level will feature a permanent exhibit of African American doctors who served this community.

It has been estimated that the project will cost approximately $5.7 million to preserve and restore historic Bethel to be transformed into a cultural arts center. Once completed, it has been estimated to generate revenue in excess of $15,000,000 annually to the local economy and to create 57 jobs consisting of a mix of construction and building operations.