Feasterville Academy was a significant 19th-century educational institution located near Winnsboro in Fairfield County, South Carolina. Established around 1840 by John Feaster, a prominent landowner and advocate of Universalist beliefs, the academy served both male and female students, reflecting progressive educational practices of the time.

The academy was part of a broader complex that included the Liberty Universalist Church, built circa 1832. Together, these structures formed the Liberty Universalist Church and Feasterville Academy Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The Feaster family, originally from Switzerland, were instrumental in establishing Universalist faith in the Beaver Creek area of Fairfield County.

The historic district encompasses four primary buildings constructed between 1831 and 1845:

• Liberty Universalist Church: A simple yet historically significant structure representing the only known 19th-century Universalist church remaining in South Carolina.
• Feasterville Academy Schoolhouse: Built around 1845, this building served as the main educational facility for the academy.
• Boarding House: Provided accommodations for students attending the academy.
• Kitchen Building: Supported the boarding house and schoolhouse with meal preparations.

These structures are situated on either side of South Carolina Highway 215 and collectively offer insights into antebellum education and religious practices in rural South Carolina.

In his 1847 will, John Feaster bequeathed the academy’s five and one-half acres and its buildings to his sons Jacob, Andrew, and John Mobley Feaster, establishing a trust for the benefit of the Feasterville Male and Female Academy. Today, the Coleman-Feaster-Mobley Family Association maintains the historic district, ensuring its preservation and continued use for family reunions and educational purposes.

Feasterville Academy stands as a testament to the educational and religious endeavors of the 19th-century Universalist community in South Carolina, offering valuable insights into the region’s cultural and historical development.