Ridgeland
Baptist Church
1448 Grays Highway Ridgeland, SC 29936
Phone 843.726.3127 Fax 843.726.2199
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1448 Grays Highway Ridgeland, SC 29936 Phone 843.726.3127 Fax 843.726.2199 |
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The History of Ridgeland Baptist Church In the late 1800s the town of Ridgeland, known as Gopher Hill, was set on a sand ridge. Its economy was based on agriculture, production of forest products, row crops, vegetables and livestock. The railroad was instrumental in the development of Ridgeland as a railroad transfer point for forest products such as lumber and turpentine. As the town began to grow and develop, residents thought it well to start a local church. Ridgeland Baptist Church (RBC) was organized Feb. 28, 1892, as a branch of Great Swamp Baptist Church. On May 25, 1892, the church met to consider a church building. In the interim, the local Masonic Hall was used as a meeting place for the church. By 1894, the partially completed structure was being used, boards across sills for seats, erected on what is now the southeast corner of Main Street and Jacob Smart Blvd. in Ridgeland. According to church minutes of August 13, 1892, Mrs. Lizzie Wall Cope was the first person received into membership by baptism. Though records between 1899 and 1905 were lost, according to persons living during these years, Ridgeland Baptist Church was part of a joint church field with Great Swamp Baptist and Euhaw Baptist. On December 26, 1995, fire believed to have started from a faulty gas furnace in the attic of the sanctuary, devastated and demolished the beautiful sanctuary and two educational buildings. The fellowship hall, completed in 1991, was severely damaged by smoke and water. As the fire blazed, fountains of tears flowed, expressing the shock and grief of breaking hearts. Southern Mutual Church Insurance Company representative, Mr. Fred Motley, delivered insurance claim checks for a total sum of $1,450,000 for maximum policy limit. There was also an outpouring of monetary response from the membership, former members, community and other churches. Our church suffered great loss, but the church, God’s people, endured. The years to follow were ones of concerted prayer and careful planning. After much prayer and thorough study of options the church voted to purchase 15 acres at the present site on January 19, 1997. The church’s future location would give us room for growth. We then proceeded with plans for the new facilities, conducted a Challenge To Build capital fund raising program, and hired Cogun Industries to construct the project. February 28, 1999, 107th anniversary of RBC, we dedicated our new facilities. As Pastor Davenport said, “ Many churches celebrate anniversaries and dedicate new buildings, but few churches celebrate one hundred seven years of Kingdom service and dedicate all new facilities on a new location –debt free!” Rev. Davenport retired months later in August 1999. January 2, 2000, our church called Dr. Carl Poole and our church has experienced much growth under his leadership. Ø Construction of a New Fellowship Hall with classrooms. Ø Judgement House Production seeing over 1800 people attend with 108 salvation decisions and over 180 recommitments Ø AWANA program with over 125 average attendance each Sunday night Ø Construction of softball field Ø 263 new members over five years RBC tries to faithfully keep its focus on people who need to know the saving grace of God. It is a church that is mission-minded. RBC stresses the importance of worship, prayer, committed lives, and tithes and offerings. Our outreach ministries include: Sunday School, youth, VBS, music, prayer, Bible study, a five day Child-care ministry, Ridgeland Nursing Center, homebound, missions through Lowcountry ministries (Savannah River Assoc.) Honduras & Central Asia mission trips, and sports events. We have a rich heritage! May we focus our eyes on Christ, the Head of our church. |
