Pickens County: CommUNITY Conversation: Mable Owens Clarke of Soapstone Church

Updated: 7:08 PM EST Mar 5, 2021
Jane Robelot
Soapstone Church on Liberia Road in Pickens County has a long and rich history, and thanks to its matriarch, Mable Owens Clarke, its future is brilliant, as well.Clarke is a descendant of a freed slave and one of the men who founded the church in the late 1800s. He and other former slaves now rest in the historic cemetery. Recently, Clarke welcomed two groups of young men from Clemson University to the church. They brought their shovels, and their muscles to free those graves of debris from last year’s storms. Two fraternities, Alpha Phi Alpha and Alpha Tau Omega, didn’t see one another often on campus – but on the grounds of Soapstone they formed a bond. They’ve gone back to Soapstone and it’s becoming a touchstone for forming new friendships. That is the joy of Clarke's heart, she says. Her mother and father rebuilt the church in just one year after it was burned down by Klansmen in the 1960s. She made a pledge to her mother to keep the church open. Clarke has been creative in keeping that pledge. Chef Mable’s Famous Fish Fries have recently gained international attention. A profile on Clarke (recipes included) was published recently in “Eating Well” magazine. Betsy Andrew’s article inspired readers in several European countries to send Mable checks. Those checks helped Soapstone pay off its mortgage and send developers on their way. Now Clarke can focus on the future of this historic church. The church working with “Upstate Forever” to preserve the grounds. The Clemson fraternities are enthusiastic about their continued participation in workdays, and church services together. And on Saturday, March 6, international artist Keith Andrews will unveil an original sculpture on the grounds of Soapstone Church as part of his "100 Sculptures" project. The event is set for 1 p.m. and is open to the public.Writer, Betsy Andrews, and sculptor, Keith Andrews (no relation) are star Fellows of The Rensing Center, an international creative residency program. The non-profit is the creation of textile artist Ellen Kochansky. The Pickens County center has hosted people from 16 countries in the past decade, and now, Mable Owens Clarke and her food and fellowship at Soapstone is on the radar of these artists. Clarke will be boiling the oil again at the church fish fry on March 20 starting at 11 a.m. The regularly scheduled events happen on church grounds, on Liberia Road near Flyfoot Trail, the third Saturday of each month. They offer food for pleasure and to support the future of a historic center of culture in Pickens County.

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