During the first year of its life, South Florence Baptist Church, known first as the West Florence Baptist Mission, observed many business meetings which were necessary to formulate and carry out the varied tasks which had to be done to lay the foundation for a strong Christian witness in the community. So many things were done that it would take volumes to express it all. Complete minutes kept of the business meetings will preserve church action down through the years, but the following highlights will remind us of the significant steps which were taken within the first six years and seven months of the history of this church. Early in its history, the church developed and adapted a constitution.
The church's inception really dated from January 29, 1971, when a group of forty men, women, and children met at the Coastline Credit Union Building, Florence, South Carolina, for a prayer hour. God led in a mighty way, and on January 24, 1971, two worship services were held in the same place. Grady Branham led one service, and Marvin Lynch (who later served as lay pastor until a fulltime pastor was called), led the other service. Grady Branham, DeLeon Lee, and B.C. Walters were elected trustees to sign checks and transact financial business of the church.
On January 31, 1971, the church began its regular program in the Royall Elementary School, rented from Florence Public Schools. Prior to this, on January 26, 1971, Marvin Lynch, Grady Branham, and Lucy Davis met with Rev. Bob Watson, Florence Association Coordinator of Missions, and Rev. Oscar Holland, chariman of the Florence Association Missions Committee, to seek advice as to whether or not the group should remain together as a church. Our group was encouraged to remain together, being assured of any help needed from the Missions Committee.
On February 14, 1971, the church voted to remain together, and on February 21, 1971, and Advisory Committee was elected. Members were Mrs. Lucy Davis, chairman; Grady Branham, DeLeon Lee, Richard Putnam, Sr., Marvin Lynch, Phillip Kennedy, and Henry Davis. Grady Branham was elected as the first moderator, and Joan Branham as church clerk. On February 28, 1971, all Sunday School teachers and workers were elected. DeLeon Lee was the first Sunday School superintendent. March 7, 1971, the decision was made to start a savings account, to tithe to the Cooperative Program, and to send 2% (later increased to 3%) of church income to Florence Baptist Association.
March 28, 1971, Greenwood Baptist Church voted to sponsor our church as a mission, and on May 23, 1971, Larry Rowe and Grady Branham were elected to serve with the Association Missions Committee relative to exploring areas for potential development of a church.
On July 10, 1971, B.C. Walters was elected as Sunday School superintendent to fill the vacancy created by DeLeon Lee's moving to Charoltte, N.C. Willie Jordan was elected to the Advisory committee in Mr. Lee's place.
On August 29, 1971, a Women's Missionary Union was organized to help provide activities for the children. Mrs. Lee Alexander was elected as the first W.M.U. president.
On October 24, 1971, Rev. Edwin Campbell officially began as our first pastor. Rev. Campbell first visited as guest speaker on September 19, 1971. Rev. Jesse Hill, pastor of Greenwood Baptist Church, worked closely with the church in securing a pastor. Prior to Rev. Campbell's coming, Rev. Hill led a revival series, September 12-15.
In December of 1971, the church purchased a house across the street from Royall, 1405 Woods Road, to provide a home for the pastor and his family. The pastor and his family moved into the home December 24, 1971.
As of January 22, 1972, the church had eighty-nine resident and nine non-resident members.
On January 23, 1972, futher history was made when a land site committee was elected. Larry Rowe, J.E. Cox, Gary Lawrimore, Blaney Howle, and Paul Sealey were selected for this major task. Also, at this time the church elected Gary Ellis as its first R.A. leader, and Mrs. Mary Ann Hammer as Vacation Bible School principal. Later when Mrs. Hammer was unable to serve, Mrs. Miriam Cox was elected to replace Mrs. Hammer.
On July 30, 1972, the church made further history, when in a business meeting, a majority vote was cast to purchase the present site. Much groundwork had been laid through negotiations with the owner. The land was to be purchased, four acres at $5,000 per acre. Mr. Ralph Anderson, deacon; and Rev. Jesse Hill of Greenwood Baptist Church were most helpful in these proceedings.
On September 17, 1972, a special business meeting was held to select a permanent name for the church. Previously, a name committee had been at work, and on this date submitted three names. The church membership by a majority vote chose South Florence Baptist Church as the official name.
The greatest highlight for the church at this point was October 1, 1971, when it was constituted. Services were held in Greenwood Baptist Church, with church, associational, and state Baptist leaders participation in the cermony.
A new milestone was reached October 22, 1972, when a Building Fund committee was elected, with James Stone serving as chairman. Also, a revised constitution and by-laws for the newly constituted church were reviewed and accepted.
In January of 1973, Mrs. Alice Rentz was elected treasurer of the church. The following month, Larry Rowe was elected as moderator.
The first deacons for South Florence were elected March 25, 1973, during a regular monthly business meeting. During the two previous months, nominations were received, and all candidates for deacon were visited and interviewed by members of the Advisory Committee, J.E. Cox, Lucy Davis, Troy Prosser, Richard Putnam, Sr., and Larry Rowe were elected. Also, in this meeting a vote carried to change business meetings from Sunday to the fourth Wednesday of the month. A vote was also passed to secure a loan to purchase the site property. During this month, Johnnie Davis was licensed and ordained by the church. He was given financial assistance.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on the site, April 21, 1973. In a special meeting in June 1973, building plans were presented by Troy Prosser, chairman of the building committee. Estimated cost of building was $75,000. Plans to proceed were accepted. Dr. Francis Chesson of Calvary Baptist Church, conducted South Florence's first revival June 22-24, 1973.
In July, 1973, Rev. Ed Campbell resigned to return to school. The following month, Rev. Jesse Hill was called as interim pastor. He served until February, 1975, and was helpful in the initial building program and progress of the church.
The church body moved into the first unit the third Sunday of August, 1974. Formal dedication was held September 8, 1974. Later that month, a "Good Neighbor" Revival was held. Several local pastors and ministers of music assisted during this week.
In November, 1974, a pulpit selection committee was elected with Lucy Davis as chairman. February, 1975, Rev. Jesse Hill resigned as interim pastor, and Rev. Norman McKee began as interim pastor while the pulpit committee was seeking a fulltime pastor. He served until June of that year when Rev. NOrman Philbeck was called as fulltime pastor. Later during June, the church voted to proceed with the addition of the sanctuary.
Since its inception, South Florence Baptist Church has been mission minded and has contributed generously to local, state, and convention programs. It has been independent financially and has continued to grow in fellwoship, outreach, and witness. All organizational units of the chuch are dedicated to an impart for Christ in the community.
We woe so much to so many that it would be impossible to list everyone. Eternal thanks go to all who have had a part in the labor of love at South Florence Baptist Church.
Ours is indeed a rich heritage, and as we look toward the future, may we be encouraged with a renewed faith to work to the end that all people shall know Jesus as Lord.
Our church had two pastors during the eighties, Rev. Gary Hayes and Rev. Clinton Hardee. Rev. Hayes served as pastor in the early eighties and had a very good ministry. The church grew in numbers and built an educational department. The cost of this expansion was around three hundred thousand dollars. Soon after the competion of the educational department Rev. Hayes was led to First Baptist Church Valley Falls in the Spartanburg Association. Rev. Clinton Hardee was called to be the pastor at South Florence Baptist Church. He did not have a productive ministry during his few years at South Florence. He was called to First Baptist Church Kitty Hawk, NC. The next few years an interim pastor served the church. The church struggled with small number of members. God was healing relationship during this time period. This was a time to reorganize and settle down. Doors of opportunity began to open up for the church.
South Florence Bapitst Church's Pulpit Committee called Rev. Howard Allen to set up a date to preach. JE Cox was the chairman and led in the conversation with Rev. Allen and they decided to come to Freedom Baptist Church, Darlington, SC on June 2, 1991 to hear Rev. Allen preach. They met for lunch and discussed coming to South Florence Baptist Church for a call as pastor. Rev. Allen and his family came to South Florence May 30, 1991 and preached, the church voted and gave him a call to be pastor. The journey began with Rev. Allen, Nancy, Adrian, Daniel and Jeffery moving to 2006 Howe Springs Road, Florence, SC. His first sermon was July 24, 1991 with ten people present. Rev. Allen and his family moved from Broad River Baptist Church, Blacksburg, SC.
The Church has grown and increased in all area of ministry. There have been 566 precious souls baptized in the last fifteen years at South Florence. Rev. Allen has led the church these last fifteen years to evangelizae the city and communities of Florence, SC. The church has seen 307 additions by letter or statement. Church enrollment has increased form 210 to about 800. Sunday morning worship has increased from 60 to 300. Sunday School attendance has increased from 46 to250. Discipleship Training increased from 10 to 125. Stewardship increased from $96,000.00 to an astonishing $572,344.00. We have experienced much growth and still growing.
The church started a Capitol Funds Program through the South Carolina Baptist Convention to help build a new worship center. Over the past three years the church collected about $350,000.00 above the weekly tithe. The church is now in the progress of building the new worship center and class rooms at a cost of $2,400,000.00.
God gave forty people a vision to build a church about thirty-seven years ago. This group of believers came up with the plans to erect a church in three phases. With lots of prayer and giving the third phase is now complete. The church took a courageous journey of Faith and a sanctuary that seats 650 is now finalized. Many precious people have come through the doors during these years of ministry. Each one has contributed to the vision God gave to a small band of believers. A new church has been built for God's Glory. A New Church Dedication servcie was celebrated on January 20, 2008.
