Our History.
Grant Hill Baptist Church had its humble beginning in 1863 when a group of people who were inspired by the Holy Spirit assembled under a brush arbor for the purpose of worship.
Located on Turkey Ford Road, this site was a part of what was then known as the James Estate. The initial church was comprised of approximately 120 members. According to history, most of them probably came from a church then known as Tenon at Bracy Mill.
All of the initial services were held under a brush arbor with Rev. J. Capers serving as the church’s first pastor. He is recorded as a man who was uneducated. However, he served as pastor of this new congregation until 1873. The same year the church erected its first building, a log cabin on land donated by Scipio Grant. The church then became known as the Log Church. In 1887, the log cabin building was raised and a new building was erected that same year. In honor of the land’s donor, the name of the church was changed to Grant Hill Baptist Church. To some it was also known as the St. John Grant Hill Baptist Church.
Soon after the building was constructed, it was discovered that the donated land was still under mortgage. This fact led to a dispute and eventually a split within the congregation before the church could obtain a clear title to the property. The dispute resulted in approximately 25 members leaving the church in 1887. Consisting primarily of the Dees and Jefferson families, this group organized the Joshua Baptist Church that same year.
It has been determined that the first tract of land owned by the church consisting of approximately one acre of land, was purchased in December 1888 in consideration of $25.00. This transaction was handled by James Grant, George Ramsey and Joseph Symonds, acting as trustee and/or officers of the church. In 1917, a building addition was added at the rear of the structure.
In later years the wooden structure, having fallen into poor condition, did not quite meet the needs of the church. Plans were then laid to erect a new church structure. Under the leadership of then pastor, Dr. L.W. Williams, a new sanctuary was erected in 1964. The old structure was demolished and the space made available for cemetery plots. This new building served the church well. However, the needs of the church continued to increase. In 1981, under the leadership of then pastor, Rev. J.R. Blanding, a major renovation involving the addition of dining and classroom facilities was undertaken. Prior to its completion, Rev. Blanding resigned his Pastorate. This project was eventually completed under the leadership of Rev. R.E. Bennett who was called to be our pastor in October 1984.
As the congregation continued to grow, the need for additional space grew as well. It was soon discovered that building codes prevented the church from expanding the existing structure. Plans were then laid to erect a new sanctuary directly across the highway. This project was spearheaded under the leadership of Pastor Bennett. The ground-breaking ceremony for the new sanctuary was held on July 13, 2003 and our Grand March from the old into the new sanctuary was held on September 26, 2004. Several months later, in November 2004, Pastor Bennett announced his retirement after 20 years of faithful service. He continued to serve until January 2, 2005. The Rev. R.L. Williams was then called to lead us as our Interim Pastor until a new pastor was called. On December 7, 2005, Minister Clifton N. Witherspoon was extended a call to serve as our next pastor. He assumed this position on January 1, 2006.
Pastor Witherspoon was ordained by the Wateree Baptist Association, Lower Division. He was officially installed as pastor on May 21, 2006.
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