Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church
Our History
Through Christ all things are
possible and for the past one hundred and twenty-five years
the Lord has bestowed His many blessings on the Reedy River
Missionary Baptist Church. Our beginnings started many years
following the Emancipation of Negro Slavery. There were some
black people living in the Mauldin, Conestee and Ridge Road
communities who shared feelings for one another. These
dedicated Christians, after a period of praying together,
united their efforts and organized the Reedy River Baptist
Church on Parkins Mill Road. The Reverend Matt Moore was
serving as the Shepherd of this Flock.
This location was somewhat central for the three communities
to meet on Sunday to worship, praise and give thanks for
their many blessings. Since these dedicated saints' incomes
were meager, they did not have the means to build a wooden
structure, or sanctuary; therefore, they built a "Brush
Arbor," which is a clear area surrounded by brushes.
Sometime later, from this humble dwelling, a church
structure was built under the pastorate of the Reverend
Albert Williams.
On September 30, 1879, the first structured building of the
Reedy River Baptist Church came into fruition when a piece
of land was purchased for seven dollars. The church members
increased their land area on September 26, 1900 with a
purchase of one and two-fifth acres. The first deacons were
W.A. Garrett, H. Downs, J.A. Ashmore and W.M. Cureton.
The church continued to increase in membership under the
leadership of the following ministers: Reverends Tom
McElrath, Big Robinson, Hemp Hill, John Washington, Belver
Earle, Tom Broadus and Luther Miller.
Deacons Riley Brockman, Ike Austin, George Johnson, Peter
Hellams, Henry Williams and Frank Mayes were among the
earliest deacons. As time passed, Deacons John Smith, Tom
Abraham, T.M. Bates and S.A. Cureton were chosen at
different intervals. These persons were still serving as
deacons when the next pastor was elected, Reverend W. R.
Martin, in 1923. Early in the pastorate of Rev. Martin, the
membership had an urge to build another structure. In 1937,
their dreams became a reality, and a structure was erected
on the adjacent site.
Under the pastorate of the Reverend W.R. Martin, the
following auxiliaries were organized: the Note Choir, Usher
Board, and a Musical Choir. Deacons added to the Board were:
Riley Pendergrass, Frank O'Neal, Roy Williams, W.R. Dixon,
James Tolbert, John H. Harris, J.C. Lewers and Bobby
Abraham.
On January 27, 1955, when the Laurel Creek Lodge of United
Order of Old Fellowship was no longer in membership, it
deeded one acre of land to the church. Riley P. Pendergrass,
President, and Richard A. Hill, Secretary of the lodge,
signed the deeds.
Later, the church made an exchange purchase of one and
one-tenth acre from Hazel K. Williams on November 5, 1955.
The membership continued to mount in numbers through the
years, so much so, that in 1964 the old building was
renovated into a more spacious and modern structure.
The Reverend W.R. Martin remained pastor of Reedy River
Baptist Church until his death in June 1965. He was pastor
for forty-two years! His death left the church without a
pastor for approximately five months.
In November 1965, the Reverend Stewart C. Cureton became
pastor of the church. Under his leadership much progress has
been made. He organized a Trustee Board and the first
members were: Earl Lewers, Taylor Walker, McArthur Walker,
Aaron Williams, Arthur Williams, Carl Lewers, James Young,
Eugene Tolbert, Bobby Tolbert, and Manuel Lewers.
The church family rejoiced together on May 28, 1967 in the
"Burning of the Mortgage" from the renovation of the church
in 1964.
Many years passed and the membership continued to grow.
Pastor Cureton was filled with farsightedness to see that
the congregation had outgrown the renovated building, and
that it was time for God's people to "increase their
territory."
In 1975, the church family voted to build a new sanctuary and
educational building so that God's people would have a
beautiful edifice in which to worship, and with modern
facilities to teach God's word. It looked then as if the
journey would be long and rough; however, the members had a
mind to work and a desire to accomplish this goal. On July
24, 1977, the dedication service was held in the new
building and the membership rejoiced in the fruits of their
labor. The building, facilities and parking lot cost more
than two hundred and twenty-seven thousand dollars. We had a
twenty-year mortgage, but because of God's many blessings,
we were able to pay off the mortgage in seven years and ten
months. We are very thankful for His goodness and mercy.
Under Dr. Cureton's visionary leadership, the following
organizations and auxiliaries were formed: the Girls'
Training Auxiliary (G.T.A.'s), Boys' Training Auxiliary
(B.T.A.'s), Brotherhood, Sunbeams, Men's Usher Board, Human
Relations Committee, Girl Scouts, Nurses' Unit, Voyagers,
Women's Missionary Society II, Singles Ministry, Music
Ministry, Newspaper Committee, Trustee Spouses, Save Our
Sons (SOS), Sisters Saving Sisters (SSS), Report Card
Committee, Doctrine Class, Christian Expedition Class,
Golden Age Ministry, Family Night, and he reorganized the
Pastor's Aide and Deaconess. Appointments were also made for
the Family Life Center and Youth Director, Directors of
Missions and Christian Education, and a Music Coordinator.
Choirs included: the Senior Choir, the S.C. Cureton
Inspirational Choir, Sunbeam Choir, Gospel Choir, Male
Chorus, the Frank O'Neal Voices of Faith, the Sanctuary
Choir, and the Young Adult Choir.
Since the church was growing physically, as well as
spiritually, the membership felt the need for a full-time
pastor. Dr. S.C. Cureton accepted the pastorate on November
1978.
Under the leadership of Dr. Cureton, and with much prayer and
financial commitment from the members and the community, the
church family rejoiced together on October 27, 1985 in the
"Burning of the Mortgage" for the new sanctuary and
educational building.
July 2, 1989, was a glorious day for the church family. We
had all hoped, longed and prayed for this day--a day that
the Family Life Center would be a reality. The pastor,
officers, and members believed that one of the ways of
keeping young people in the church was by the means of
recreation-believing that God is concerned about the whole
person, body, mind and soul. It is mandated that the church
must provide for the whole person, and if the Church fails
to make provisions for the whole person, then the things of
the world will draw our youth away from the church. The
Family Life Center has allowed us to minister to the entire
community through summer youth camps, tutoring programs,
recreational activities, retreats, bible study, and many
other activities. Our prayer is that the Family Life Center
will be used for the building of strong bodies, creating
keen minds, and making souls more conscious of how God leads
and guides them in the path of righteousness. The Family
Life Center was named in honor of the chairman of the deacon
board, Deacon Riley Pendergrass, whose life had been as a
beacon light over the years. His dedication and commitment
to Christ and his fellowman will forever be cherished in the
minds and hearts of those whose lives he touched directly
and indirectly.
Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church continued to show signs
of growth in the spirit, as well as in the community, and on
June 2, 1985, a second service was needed to accommodate the
membership. After a few years, it became necessary to build
a new sanctuary-the fourth building at this same location.
Dr. Cureton believes that "when members of a church have a
mind to work together under God's guidance, there is nothing
impossible to accomplish." Therefore, in September 1996, the
third church building was demolished. On May 1998, we moved
into our new beautiful 32,000 sq. ft. edifice, which seats
approximately eight hundred people. The building includes a
balcony, educational rooms, kitchen, nursery, elevator,
offices, and a conference room. This building has given us
an opportunity to praise and worship the Lord together and
thank Him for his many blessings. It allows us to continue
to grow as Christians so that we can spread the word that
the Lord is good and worthy to be praised.
For the past 43 years, we are thankful to our pastor, Dr. S.
C. Cureton, and his lovely wife, Dr. Claudette Cureton, for
their vision, guidance and untiring leadership. The church
has become active in local, state, national and
international denominational bodies. Our continued growth is
the evidence of a Christian leader who believes that all
things are possible through Christ that strengthens us. The
Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church is grateful for Dr.
Cureton's "contrite mind and baptized heart," as well as his
love and commitment to God and the community.
We are appreciative that the Lord has bestowed grace and
mercy upon the Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church to be
around for 129+ years and for this we will continue to
uplift His name and give Him all the praise.
1012 Mauldin Road