Soules Chapel in Benevola Collapsed Recently Due to Heavy Rain and Wind

BY DONNA BAIN

Staff Writer

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, one of the oldest original wooden structure churches in Pickens County collapsed due to heavy rain and wind. Soules Chapel in the Benevola Community was built in the early 1800’s and pre- dates the War Between the States. (Civil War) Bishop Soules commissioned the Methodist Church. They quit having services there in the 1970’s. Bob Allen owns the church and said it had termites in it. He is in the process of trying to get the pews and memorabilia out of the church before all of it is completely destroyed. The west and north walls are still standing, but the roof is caved in. There is a lot of old lumber in the church that is salvageable. Allen said there used to be a balcony in the church where the slaves would attend. Later, the balcony was taken down. The chapel was once well attended and a pillar of the community.