News Summary
A new Bethlehem Center is set to be built in Spartanburg’s Highland neighborhood at a cost of $25 million. The facility will provide expanded services to the community, doubling the current center’s capacity and offering new educational resources. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, following a successful fundraising campaign. The center aims to enhance community engagement and support for local residents, including youth and seniors, with new classrooms, a gymnasium, and more.
Spartanburg – Plans are underway for a new Bethlehem Center in Spartanburg’s Highland neighborhood, with a projected cost of $25 million. The new facility will be located on a vacant lot at the intersection of Highland and Daniel Morgan avenues, a site previously home to the now-demolished Cammie Clagett public housing complex. Construction is slated to commence in early 2026, with completion expected to take approximately one year.
The current Bethlehem Center, located at 397 Highland Ave., has been serving the community since its founding in 1930. Currently, it provides mentoring and after-school programs to over 1,500 individuals annually, including both youth and seniors. However, the organization has outgrown its existing space, prompting the need for a larger facility to accommodate the growing demand for services.
The new building will span 42,000 square feet, more than doubling the capacity of the current center. Features of the new facility will include classrooms for early childhood education, adult learning, a gymnasium, an outdoor amphitheater, and a kitchen, supporting a range of educational and community activities. Executive Director Patrena Mims highlighted the need for the larger space, underscoring a consistent demand for the center’s various programs.
On August 21, 2025, over 100 community members attended the launch event for the capital fundraising campaign titled “Aiming Higher for Spartanburg.” This campaign aims to gather the necessary funds for the new facility, starting with a significant contribution from the Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM), which pledged $10 million. This funding is part of a broader initiative known as Movement 2030, aimed at enhancing educational outcomes and fostering economic mobility in Spartanburg.
According to Russell Booker, CEO of SAM, the new center will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Highland neighborhood and further strengthening its community resources. Once completed, the facility will introduce nine new early childhood education classrooms, increasing the total number of such classrooms in Spartanburg School District 7 to 35, thus enhancing educational opportunities for local children.
The Spartanburg City Council donated the property for the new Bethlehem Center, aligning with the Highland Neighborhood Transformation Plan developed to revitalize the area. Councilwoman Janie Salley expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that it fulfills significant community needs, providing a safe haven for children and facilitating various activities.
Beyond early childhood education, the Bethlehem Center offers a wide range of services, including after-school and summer programming, wellness courses for adults, and specialized programs for seniors. The center operates with a small but dedicated staff, augmented by numerous committed volunteers who contribute to its mission.
As the Bethlehem Center embarks on this transformative project, it reaffirms its commitment to the Highland neighborhood and its residents, aiming to create an inviting, multifunctional environment that fosters learning, growth, and community engagement for years to come.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Bethlehem Center in Spartanburg
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- GoUpstate: Spartanburg Contributes Lot for New Bethlehem Center
- Google Search: Bethlehem Center Spartanburg
- WSPA: Bethlehem Center Slated for Relocation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Center
- GoUpstate: Bethlehem Center Benefits Highland Community
- Google News: Community Centers
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
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