First Baptist Church of Edgefield
| First Baptist Church of Edgefield | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Edgefield, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Website | edgefieldfbc |
First Baptist Church of Edgefield (formerly the Edgefield Village Baptist Church) is a historic Baptist church located in Edgefield, South Carolina, United States. Established in 1823, the church has played a significant role in the religious and political history of the Edgefield region, notably through its connection to several prominent Southern figures and its role in the post-Civil War formation of local African American churches.
History
The congregation was formally constituted in 1824, originally named the Edgefield Village Baptist Church. The church has continuously operated since its founding. [1]
Prior to the American Civil War, the church followed the common Southern practice of enrolling both white and black members. In August 1867, shortly after emancipation, the church’s rolls included 170 white members and 187 black members. Following the war, the African American membership sought to establish independent congregations. In December 1866, 21 former slaves were formally dismissed from the church to establish the Simmons Ridge Baptist Church.[2] Other former members later helped found the Macedonia Baptist Church following 1867. [3]
Notable Figures
Dr. Basil Manly Sr.
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Basil Manly Sr. (1798–1868), the church's first pastor (1823–1826), was an influential Southern Baptist minister and educator. He played a key role in establishing the Furman Academy and Theological Institution in Edgefield in 1826, the predecessor to Furman University. [4] Manly was also a central figure in the founding of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in 1845, and later served as president of the University of Alabama.
Dr. William Bullein Johnson
William Bullein Johnson (1782–1862) served as pastor for two terms (1830–1845, 1845–1852). Johnson was a monumental figure in Southern Baptist life, serving as the first president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1845 to 1851. He also helped found the South Carolina State Baptist Convention and was a pioneer in higher education for women, establishing the Johnson Female Seminary (later Anderson University). [5]
R. G. Lee
The famed Southern Baptist pastor Dr. R. G. Lee, best known for his influential and widely preached sermon "Payday Someday," served as a pastor at the church in the early 20th century before moving to Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Lee developed and often preached his hallmark sermon while pastoring in South Carolina, including during his time in Edgefield [6]
Strom Thurmond
Strom Thurmond, former Governor of South Carolina and long-serving U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond (1902–2003) grew up as a member of Edgefield First Baptist Church. Throughout his youth, he was active in the church and served in leadership roles, including as the Sunday School Superintendent.[7]
Former Pastors
The following is a list of the pastors who have served the congregation since its founding:
Dr. Basil Manly, Sr. (1823–1826)
Rev. Joseph A. Warne (1827–1828)
Dr. William B. Johnson (1830–1845)
Rev. J. M. Chiles (1845)
Dr. William B. Johnson (1845–1852)
Rev. C. A. Raymond (1853–1854)
Rev. R. L. Whaley (1854–1856)
Rev. E. L. Whaley (1858–1868)
Rev. Luther Broaddus (1869–1875)
Rev. W. J. Alexander (1875–1877)
Rev. W. T. Hundley (1878–1882)
Rev. H. A. Whitman (1882–1886)
Rev. T. D. Clark (1886–1888)
Dr. G. L. Hunt (1888–1890)
Rev. J. N. Booth (1891–1893)
Dr. L. R. Gwalney (1893–1902)
Dr. C. E. Burts (1903–1911)
Dr. M. D. Jeffries (1911–1914)
Dr. E. Pendleton Jones (1915–1918)
Dr. R. G. Lee (1918–1921)
Rev. Arthur T. Allen (1921–1926)
Rev. Walter L. Coker (1927–1928)
Rev. B. W. Thomason (1929–1940)
Rev. J. F. Burris (1940–1943)
Rev. P. H. Anderson, Jr. (1944–1945)
Dr. John S. Wimbish (1945–1950)
Dr. H. M. Kinlaw (1950–1955)
Dr. Lewis McCormick (1956–1958)
Dr. J. Graydon Dukes (1958–1963)
Dr. B. Conrad Johnston (1963–1970)
Rev. Tom Collins (1971–1974)
Dr. William Harris (1975–1977)
Rev. James G. Revels (1978–1982)
Dr. Michael L. Glenn (1982–1987)
Dr. W. Richard Kremer (1987–1991)
Dr. Tony Hopkins (1992–2002)
Rev. Keith Goretzka (2002–2004)
Rev. Stacy Williams (2005–2015)
Dr. Aaron Tripp (2016–)
References
- ↑ "Edgefield First Baptist Church, Edgefield County - 1823-1920". Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ↑ Rainsford, Bettis C. (October 16, 2021). "The First Half-Century of Macedonia Baptist Church" (PDF). Retrieved December 4, 2025..
- ↑ Rainsford, Bettis C. (October 16, 2021). "The First Half-Century of Macedonia Baptist Church" (PDF). Retrieved December 4, 2025..
- ↑ "Edgefield First Baptist Church". Retrieved May 27, 2026..
- ↑ "William Bullein Johnson". Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ↑ https://www.uu.edu/library/archives/collections/lee.cfm
- ↑ "Strom Thurmond dies at age 100; had ties to Southern Baptist churches". Baptist Press. June 27, 2003. Retrieved December 4, 2025..
- ↑ == Architecture == The church structure is prominently featured in the town of Edgefield, noted for its classical architectural style typical of 19th-century Southern churches"Edgefield First Baptist Church". South Carolina Picture Project. SCIWAY. Retrieved December 4, 2025..
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