Orangeburg’s Sunnyside community gathered Tuesday to honor the first principal of the city’s first public school for blacks.

A memorial marker dedicated in memory of the Rev. Daniel M. Minus was unveiled at the Sunnyside Park on Henley Street. The site is believed to be the home of the Colored Public School, which later became the Sterling School.

“This is an occasion long overdue to an icon of education,” said Eugene Robinson, a resident of Sunnyside who was instrumental in having the memorial marker erected. He said the marker observes the 125th anniversary of the founding of the school.

“The life of Rev. Daniel Minus is truly a textbook replica of what education could do for blacks. His motivation and drive could surely be seen as a role model for both races,” he said.

In the Constitution of 1868, South Carolina was required to establish, support and provide a public system for educating blacks and whites. In October 1883, The Times and Democrat reported.

“The colored Public School in our town under Rev. Minus ... opened ... with an attendance of over 80, and a prospect of steady increase.”

Orangeburg Mayor Paul Miller said Robinson first approached him a little over a year ago with the story of Minus and the establishment of the school. The marker was erected by the Orangeburg Department of Parks and Recreation.

“I had done a little research and he had brought me a little reading material,” Miller said. “Future generations will know that this was the beginning of the first school in Orangeburg Rev. Minus got started. He was a man of vision.”

Bobby Thompson, who has lived in the Sunnyside community all his life, says the marker dedication is a “culmination of dreams.”

Thompson recalled living in the Biltmore Apartments as a youngster and reading the marker identifying the building as a former school. But he said the marker is hidden away and difficult to see.

“We are going to do a nice flower bed around it to protect it and keep anybody from damaging it,” Thompson said.

Otis Harrison, also a longtime resident of Sunnyside, said Minus has in many ways been with him in spirit through all these years.

“I know the history and it is about time we had some kind of monument and some kind of dedication where people can realize where it all started from,” he said. “This was a part of my dream in life so we can educate people here to let them know that the first black school started right here in Orangeburg.”

As part of Tuesday morning’s dedication, prayers were offered that the site will be not only a witness to the past but that future generations will know and appreciate the work and ministry of Minus.

Minus was born to Elijah and Sarah Minus on June 15, 1848 in Colleton County. He was the oldest of 13 children.

In January 1879, Minus took an examination at Barnwell Court House for a public school certificate and obtained a third-grade certificate. Minus entered Claflin around 1879 and completed his course by graduating on June 9, 1883.

After establishing the school in Orangeburg, he was elected as a city alderman while he continued to serve as pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Minus later changed the Colored Public School to Sterling School in honor of E.R. Sterling of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who had provided him with financial aid during his four years at Claflin.

Minus served as principal of the Sterling School until 1886 and as city alderman until 1887.

After Minus left Orangeburg, education at the Sterling School continued to thrive until 1922, when it became an apartment complex. In the 1950s, the building was ravaged by fire.

Minus went on to serve in a church in Greenville, where he also started a school.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski @timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.

You must be logged in to comment.