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McCreery Park hosts descendant of famed healer

 

SALUDA—On Friday evening at McCreery Park, the Historic Saluda Committee and the Saluda Community Land Trust hosted John Wilkins of Columbus, who shared remarkable stories of his family history, particularly those of the Sullivan family and its matriarch healer and herbalist, Madame Phoebia Cheek Sullivan.

Wilkins also spoke of the plans to establish the Phoebia Cheek Sullivan Memorial Park to preserve roughly 35-40 acres of family land, restore the Sullivan Baptist Temple facade, develop a nature park with trails, and erect the Phoebia Cheek Sullivan Memorial.

Madame Sullivan was a “renowned divine healer, herb doctor, and seer” living in Saluda after moving from Laurens, S.C. She lived for over 100 years and was celebrated for her healing abilities and spiritual leadership in the area. Thousands of individuals traveled across the country to seek healing from Madame Sullivan, making her a revered figure in her community and beyond.

Wilkins shared humorous stories along with poignant tales of his family history. He also read from Madame Sullivan’s self-published tome, titled the Book of Dreams, one of three she wrote in her lifetime. 

A key objective of the park is the restoration of Sullivan Temple, an iconic landmark built in 1948 by her son, Reverend James Sullivan. The temple served as a community gathering space and hosted several historic gospel performances by Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

“Our family felt it was important to make something that the community can always use, and that’s where the idea to create a park came from,” Wilkins said.

In addition to preserving historical landmarks, the park aims to provide an educational space, a serene environment for meditation and worship, and a sanctuary for native plantings and herb gardens. The Sullivan descendants are dedicated to conserving the land’s resources and protecting its agricultural and rural nature.

Madame Phoebia Cheek Sullivan Memorial Park, Inc., is a recently formed 501 (c)3 non-profit corporation set up to facilitate the park’s formation, representing a significant step in honoring the life and work of a remarkable woman whose influence extended far beyond her lifetime. 

Donations can be made through www.sullivanpark.org or the Saluda Community Land Trust as the project progresses.