Notable African American Members

He served in the United Sates Navy for several years. Upon his return to civilian life, he taught masonry at Area Trade School, worked with various construction companies, then worked independently as a brick mason until the age of seventy-eight. He was married to Leola Houston Green and had two children.

As a young man, Frank was active in the Episcopal Church in the Pineville, SC community. When he moved to Charleston in the 1940’s, he continued his affiliation with the Episcopal Church by becoming an active and faithful member of St. Stephen’s. He is remembered as a quiet gentleman who loved our church and was devoted to our life and ministry for nearly 60 years.

In 1973, Clementine retired from work to take care of her family when she met and married the late William C. Ellis.

Attending church was very important to Clementine. She was a very faithful, dedicated, and well-loved member of St. Stephen’s and served our parish in a variety of ways. Next to her family and her church, Clementine really loved being a member of Henrietta B. White #1342 which is affiliated with the Elks Lodge.

While serving at St. Stephen’s, and working under a number of different clergy, Mr. White also taught music at the College of Charleston. He was a member of the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists, a member of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and played on occasion for the Spoleto Arts Festival. Mr. White is remembered for his musical style, attention to detail, and faithful service to St. Stephen’s during a critical period in our church’s history.

In no small measure, some of St. Stephen’s transformation is attributable to the catalytic input Mrs. Washington provided during a critical moment in our history. Prior to 1987, St. Stephen’s had been an African American congregation. With a changing neighborhood and dwindling number of members, survival was an issue for the parish. A number of congregational meetings were held to discuss actively integrating. Eventually, it was decided the decision would be put to a vote. Prior to the vote, in a moment, etched in the memory of our church, it is said that Mrs. Washington stood up and said, “We must do whatever it takes to keep St. Stephen’s. This is our church home. Why would we ever want to go anywhere else?” Out of deep love and respect for Louise Washington, the vote was never taken. Her faith, devotion to her family and church ran deep. Most of her children and grandchildren were baptized and confirmed at St. Stephen’s.

She was married to Mr. Benjamin Mitchell and the two had eight children and ten grandchildren. Mrs. Mitchell was a life-long member of Saint Stephen’s and held many church and community offices throughout her life. She died on May 27^th, 1993.

She spent 30 years in the service of children, retiring as a Special Education teacher from Sanders Clyde Elementary school. In retirement, Alice served on the Foster Care Board and worked in local retirement facilities. Alice and her husband of 48 years, Herbert L. Drayton, Jr. along with their six children were all confirmed in St. Stephen’s. In an article that appeared in the Chronical after graduating from Baptist College about Eastside residents, Alice said, “I think there is a common misconception about people on the Eastside of Charleston. We are not all hoodlums, and we are not all unintelligent. We have our educated, our children have the same basic potential as children who live elsewhere in the city, and our residents in general, have the same desire as do other people. There has been a stigma attached to residents of the eastside which must be removed, and I want to do my part in eradicating it.” Alice passed on Thursday April 21, 2011 and is resting peacefully in the St. Stephen’s Garden.

 He taught math and coached football. He married Joan Deas and they had one son, Justin.

After teaching for a while, he began selling automobiles. Because he was an outstanding salesman, he was recommended for and attended the GM Minority Dealership School. He worked at several GM dealerships in the Charleston area. Eventually, he went on to own two dealerships: one in Olathe, KS and one in Tifton, GA.

Richard joined The Episcopal Church while at Voorhees and began attending St. Stephen’s when he moved to Charleston in 1961. He served on more than one term on the vestry. He was also a life member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Richard enjoyed working with young people and was recognized posthumously for his efforts.

She was a member of the church’s maintenance team, assisted with Sunday School, and was the first to initiate and volunteer for fundraiser events.

On March 21, 1953, she married Herman Capers Sr. and to this union had five children. She was a caterer and cook professionally, loving wife, mother, and grandmother…but most of all, a faithful servant of God and her beloved St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. She transitioned to her heavenly home on August 4, 1999.

Mrs. Watson was determined that the church be a positive and ever-present force in the lives of the children of the church. When her daughters, LaShawn and Tia, were young, she encouraged and made possible the youth group activities, trips, fundraisers, community service. Planning parties for the younger children became a part of the activities the teens enjoyed. She had a warm and welcoming presence and a generous person. She was devoted to her family and her church and we celebrate her legacy each year in the Emma Watson BBQ with the proceeds going to support our ministries to children and young people.

During Charles’ many years at St. Stephen’s, where he raised his family, he held many leadership positions serving on the vestry and as senior warden several times most notably when our congregation integrated (with the then all-African American congregation welcoming white members) in the late 1980’s. Charles’ leadership during this critical period in our history, serving alongside then Priest-in-Charge Alan Houghton, helped to save our congregation from having to close our doors. As such, it is easy to count this saint of our church as a part of the founding fathers and mothers of the “house of prayer for all people” we are today. In more recent years, Charles mentored many in the parish and served on the Rector search committee that brought Father Adam and his family to St. Stephen’s.

Palm Sundays were green because of this leadership to find, harvest and deliver the creatives. He was always a apart of the ad hoc grounds-crew that kept the exterior well-manicured. If there was a beautification project that required painting or refinishing his hands were always ready to hold a paint brush or floor sander.  

While St. Stephen’s has a rich and storied history that encapsulates many families and friends, Herbert’s workmanlike approach to all matters at hand was one of the many reasons that we will stand as examples of what “a house of prayer for all people” looks like. During his lifetime, he had to have an abundance mentality to accept our transition into a racially integrated church. He saw and enthusiastically embraced God’s call, alongside other giants and gems like Charles Shine and Emma Watson, to open our doors to be a beacon for many in society who struggled to find a church home.