Beaufort "praise houses" window to the past

 Slaves seldom were allowed to attend services with whites or to congregate in large numbers because of plantation owners' fears they might hatch a rebellion. Instead, slaves were allowed to assemble in a modest house or cabin on a plantation's row of slave quarters, according to Kitty Green, who has researched the religious practices of Lowcountry blacks and who owns Gullah-N-Geechie Mahn Tours.At least three structures still standing in Beaufort County have been used as praise houses  LeGree said praise houses are difficult to preserve because many sit on private land owned by people who cannot afford their upkeep or who live elsewhere and don't appreciate historic value.