History

Front View Original Church

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH – CLINTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

The following is a brief history of First Baptist Church, Clinton, SC

How we began and where we hope to go in the future with God’s help.

In 1838 a group from Beaverdam Baptist Church formed a church at Huntsville which is a few miles south of Clinton, SC. On June 14, 1881 a group of 31 members discussed their interest in forming a church of their own.

The Clinton Baptist Church located at 301 South Broad Street, was formed on May 14, 1882 and met for the first time in its new building. The small wooden structure was built at a cost of $2,600.

The congregation voted to demolish the original wooden building in 1908 and replaced it with a new brick building. The first worship service was held on February 13, 1910, in what was considered quite a spectacular state-of-the-art building.

In 1937 the congregation began a building program to add an educational building. The first educational building was completed in January of 1938 and is still in use today.

Rapid growth continued and a new sanctuary was dedicated on April 17, 1966. This sanctuary has now been renovated to house both the contemporary and traditional services: the re-dedication of this facility will be held on Sunday, April 9, 2006, at 10:30 AM.

In 1972 the present Family Life Center was completed. This building was originally used as a recreational facility.

The Bell Tower was erected in 1981 to house the church bell that was used in the original wooden church building. The Bell Tower was constructed during the 100^th anniversary of the church.

The dedication of the newest educational building was held in 1989. It houses Sunday school classrooms, the music department, children’s classrooms and nurseries, as well as the weekly preschool education program. The congregation gave over and above the regular budget needs in a four and a half-year period; this was quite an accomplishment.

The membership currently is 866 with 657 resident members. The average Sunday school attendance is 335 with an average worship service of 408. First Baptist conducts a contemporary worship service at 8:30 AM and a traditional service at 11:00 AM. First Baptist, Clinton, SC has strong WMU and Brotherhood organizations as well as children’s mission organizations. Morris Driggers, our music minister, leads the children’s choirs, a youth choir and two adult choirs.

Thirteen ministers have served First Baptist Church during its long history. The last two, Rev. J. H. Darr and Dr. Russell Dean served 25 and 26 years respectively. Dr. Blake Harwell, the present senior minister, began his ministry at First Baptist in 1998.

The congregation entered into a strategic planning program in 2003 called Thy Kingdom Come. Our current phase, Thy Will Be Done, has seen renovation of the sanctuary, refurbishing of the organ and the purchase of adjoining properties for expansion... Additional plans are to build a new Family Life Center . Three new mini buses have also been purchased from these campaign funds.

Many of First Baptist Church members are actively involved in personal ministry through family mission trips. They assist other congregations in neighboring areas as well as other states to build or add to their existing churches.

Many youth and adults participate in Carpenters for Christ, which emphasizes mission work in our local communities. The youth also travel to neighboring states to join other church youth groups as they work together in community projects through World Changers. Tara Webb leads with the help of a capable committee of parents.

Our missions growth began with the first international mission trip to Puerto Rico; since then there have been trips to Russia, Romania, Brazil, and Honduras. Currently there is a trip being planned for Africa.

The mission of First Baptist Church is to Love God and to extend His love to all people. The mission statement clearly states why First Baptist Church, Clinton, South Carolina was started, and why this family of faith looks forward with God’s help to a bright future of extending His love to all people!

First Baptist Clinton, SC :

Church Historian: Linda Madden

And God Said "That's Good!"

(After James Weldon Johnson)

And God looked down on a little Laurens County town,

where Dr. Jacob's struggling college was fighting

for survival and where there were more taverns

than churches,

And God said, "I need me another church - a Baptist Church..."

So, God planted in the hearts of men like M. E. Broadus

a dream,

A dream that could only be realized through call and

commitment, and service

A dream that would be a reality through the dedication

of many who would make Clinton their home.

And God said: "That's good!"

And as the church grew, so grew the dream;

A collage of people and places - and pastors like

Williams and Martin, Thomas and Mahon,

All touched by God, who has a way of helping dreams.

Time was passing, and the church took "the Sunday

School under her particular care and direction."

And God was pleased with this extra dimension.

Thus, God said, "That's good!"

And the years were 1881 through 1895.

God kept on calling men to this field of opportunity:

There were Parrott and Fowler, Cooper and Lightfoot;

Each brought his own special gifts to mingle with

dedicated Clintonians,

And the dream moved on.

During this time the years were lean,

and the depression did not miss Clinton as it

moved across the country.

But these years brought out the best in people,

and the little Sunday School and Baptist Church

continued to grow.

Thus, God looked upon them in their material poverty,

and said, "That's good."

And the years were 1896 through 1935.

Many dreams stood still during the war years;

But here, they were the Long years, first Edward,

then Walter - and progress was not short.

And the years were 1916 through 1945.

Then peace was within the land for a spell,

And the church spread out the banner of teaching & reaching -

"A Million More in Fifty-four" was only one of the plans.

God's man of these days was J. H. Darr

Who planted his life deeply here

And was caught up in "the pull of the people."

God applauded this twenty-five years and said, "That's good!"

And the years were 1946 through 1971.

And now, the dream goes on.

God has brought together Dean and Brunson,

And a myriad of creative Christians with dreams

of their own --

All planning His work,

And working His plan.

And God sat down to review

the plan He had perceived so long ago,

the men and women He had brought to this place,

and the dream He had dared to dream.

And the great God Almighty said, "That's good! But the

dream has to keep on going-and it must get bigger

all the time!"

So here we stand today, clutching each other by the hand,

and looking back on this 96-year old dream,

and we realize it's up to us.

With one voice we shout, "Here we are, Lord. Let's

get on with the dream!

And the years are 1977 through eternity.

-- Russell Dean

Reverend Doctor Emeritus