A long-abandoned brick schoolhouse that once educated Black children during segregation is poised for a new chapter as the Jordan Community Center, a project rooted in family history, preservation and community vision.
Jordan Elementary School, built in 1950 as a South Carolina equalization school, served Black students in the Jordan community of Clarendon County until it closed during school integration around 1970. Located off Highway 260 near King Road, the building sat vacant for decades, partially hidden by trees and time.
In 2025, the property was purchased outright through a newly formed nonprofit, the Jordan Community Center, led by board chair CoRetta Dingle, a Clarendon County native now living out of state. For Dingle, the project is deeply personal.
“My mother went there, her twin sister, her siblings, cousins — so many family members,” Dingle said. “Even my grandparents attended night school there.”
Dingle said her connection to the school began in childhood, when she would ask her mother to drive past the building during visits home. As the years went on and vegetation overtook the site, the school remained visible only in glimpses — and in memory.
“I didn’t understand why I was so fascinated with it, but that fascination stayed with me,” she said. “I could see more than an old school. I could see a community center.”
That vision crystallized in 2021, when Dingle spotted a “for sale” sign on the property during one of those familiar drives. The nonprofit finalized the purchase last year, preserving the building and officially renaming it the Jordan Community Center.
The one-story brick structure remains in relatively good condition, Dingle said, despite its age. Contractors who have toured the site reported solid concrete floors and a structure that needs cosmetic and interior rehabilitation rather than major structural repair.
“It’s a lot of work, but not hard work,” Dingle said. “And we want to keep the integrity of the school.”
Plans for the Jordan Community Center include creating a space focused on learning, recreation, wellness and community engagement for residents of all ages, particularly in the rural areas south of Manning.
“There’s really nothing like this in that part of the county,” Dingle said. “This would be a great investment for children, families and seniors.”
The nonprofit holds 501(c)(3) status and is actively seeking grants, donations, sponsors and community partners. While no final cost estimate has been set, Dingle said the rehabilitation will require significant funding and collaboration.
“We can’t do it on our own,” she said. “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
The board’s goal is to move quickly with renovations to prevent further deterioration and to work toward a potential grand opening in 2026. In addition to fundraising, the group plans to document oral histories from former students and alumni to preserve the school’s legacy.
Community members interested in volunteering, serving, or supporting the project financially are encouraged to get involved.
For more information or to inquire about donations, sponsorships or fundraising efforts, contact CoRetta Dingle at coretta@jordancommunity.com.
