MASTERPIECE—One of Cherokee County's oldest treasures, the Mulberry Chapel Methodist Church, will soon have its own place in state history, being next in line to receive a historic marker.

However, the place of worship used by Black residents of the Whig Hill, Asbury and Thicketty communities was recently immortalized by way of a local man's steady hand.

Cherokee County artist Mack Lee Brown — shown here with Billy Pennington of the Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society, Larry Littlejohn and Cindy Wilson of the Cherokee Association of Visual Artists (CAVA) — recently showed off his piece at the Gaffney Visitors Center downtown.

Built late in the 19th century, the church is believed to be the first for African-Americans in the county.

While in need of restoration work, Mulberry Chapel has been used since 1953 as the site of the annual Littlejohn Family Reunion.