History
EARLY HISTORY . . .
The history of the First Baptist Church of Clemson is closely connected with the history of Clemson University.
Before churches were established in Clemson, worship services were held in the College chapel each Sunday morning. Students were required to attend, and services were conducted alternately by Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopal ministers with Lutherans or some other denomination supplying on fifth Sundays.
The original church before demolition in 1999
Painting by Liz Smith Cox
The first established churches in Clemson were the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches. The first formal discussion to establish a Baptist church was held at a meeting on April 21, 1907. At this meeting a committee was appointed to investigate available sites and report on approximate cost of necessary lots and buildings.
On April 28, 1907, the committee reported they had selected a site on College Avenue adjoining the Presbyterian Church property, and on May 5, 1907, it was decided to call the church The Clemson College Baptist Church.
Though construction was begun in 1912, it was the fall of 1913 before services were held in the new building. The church seated 500, and while there were some classrooms, it was mainly a sanctuary for worship. The cost was approximately $25,000 including furnishings. The building was dedicated free of debt on November 23, 1913.
The Rev. Thomas V. McCaul was selected as the first pastor.
As the membership grew, additions to the facility were necessary. Educational space was added in 1940, 1948, and 1957. Our present sanctuary, along with more educational space, was dedicated in 1964.
AS WE GREW . . .
In 1951 the church was renamed Clemson Baptist Church to reflect the ministry to the growing community as well as to the campus.
The membership made a major decision in March, 1971 to change the deacon eligibility so that all adults, 21 years of age and older, who had been a church member for at least one year, could serve. This change made both men and women eligible. Mrs. Sarah Cooper was elected in 1973 as the church’s first female deacon.
In 1974 the church adopted a constitution that provided for a committee style of governance and also changed the name of the church to First Baptist Church of Clemson.
Another important decision, made in 1975, allowed members from other denominations, who had accepted Christ and who had previous meaningful baptisms other than immersion, to become members of our congregation. This change united many families in our church and strengthened the membership.
As more Baptist churches were established in the Clemson area, the South Carolina Baptist Convention built a Baptist Student Center adjacent to campus, and in 1978 the Baptist Student Union moved out of the church to that facility. The Baptist Student Minister ceased to be a member of the church staff. It was not until 2004 that First Baptist Church hired another campus minister to serve in our student program, the Cooperative Student Fellowship.
As the town and the University continued to grow, the church also continued to grow. In 1988 additional space was added behind the present sanctuary, housing more classrooms, new offices and nursery.
In 1991 First Baptist Church of Clemson became affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, while maintaining some tie with the Southern Baptist Convention.
After the 1988 addition, the original church building was used less and less. By 1999 it had deteriorated to the point that it became necessary to raze the old facility to make room for future expansion.
In expectation of future growth and service to the Clemson community, a long-range planning committee was named in 2000. In 2001 a building committee was appointed and preparation began for our latest addition. Before construction could begin, an agreement had to be worked out with the City of Clemson to swap a portion of our property for the city street which divided our two parcels of property. Construction began in September 2005 and was completed in November 2006. This addition included additional classrooms, new church offices, and a family life center. The cost of the newest
addition, with some renovation of the existing facilities, was
approximately $5.7 million. The building was dedicated on April 29, 2007, during the Centennial Sunday celebration.
MILESTONES IN OUR CHURCH HISTORY . . .
1907 Clemson College Baptist Church was organized.
1909 Rev. Thomas V. McCaul became the first pastor. Services were held in the College Chapel.
1910 Organized first WMU
1913 The first church building was dedicated.
1913 The first Sunday School.
1932 The first BSU Council began to function.
1940 The first building expansion was completed.
1944 Harold Cole came as our first Student Minister.
1951 Our named changed to Clemson Baptist Church.
1964 A 1,000 seat sanctuary with additional educational space was completed and dedicated.
1971 The church changed the requirement for deacon eligibility to include all adults 21 years and older, who had been a member for at least one year.
1973 Mrs. Sarah Cooper became our first female Deacon.
1974 A constitution was adopted establishing a committee style of governance. It also lowered the deacon eligibility age to 18.
1974 The name of the church was changed to First Baptist Church of Clemson.
1975 The church voted to accept members from other denominations who had previous meaningful baptisms.
1978 A Baptist Student Center was built near campus and the BSU activities moved out of our church.
1982 We became a participant in Habitat for Humanity projects.
1991 The church became a member of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
1994 Our first mission trip to build houses in Honduras.
1998 First Minister of Children position established and filled.
1999 The original church building was razed.
2001 The Child Enrichment Center began operating.
2004 Our Cooperative Student Fellowship was organized and was recognized by the University as an official campus organization.
2005 Construction on the newest addition began in September.
2006 Construction and renovation completed in November, with
a community Open House Celebration on December 10.
2007 Our Centennial year, with special events throughout.
2007 Installed Rusty Brock as our 16th pastor.
THE CHURCH STAFF . . .
The church staff consists of: Senior Minister, Minister of Music, Minister of Youth and Education, Minister of Students and Singles, Minister of Children, Director of the Child Enrichment Center, Administrative Secretary, Financial Secretary, Two Custodians, Organist, Pianist, and Church Hostess.
PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED . . .
Thomas V. McCaul 1909-1917
Pierce S. Ellis 1918-1919
John K. Goode 1920-1923
George C. Gibson 1923-1925
Ernest C. Kolb 1925-1926
Wade H. Bryant 1927-1929
John K. Goode 1929-1942
J. Boyce Brooks 1942-1944
A. Harold Cole 1945-1949
Marion C. Allen 1950-1956
Charles A. Arrington 1956-1971
Luke B. Smith 1971-1973
Roger Lovette 1975-1988
Michael M. Massar 1989-1997
G. Todd Wilson 1998-2006
Russell (Rusty) P. Brock 2007
COMMENTS FROM FORMER PASTORS . . .
Charles A. Arrington—1964
“From that June morning in 1907 to the present, one can feel the hand of God on this church. People have worked, worshiped, sacrificed, and dreamed and prayed here in order to know God better and to make Him known.”
Roger Lovette—1988
“For this special place where children learn about God and students struggle with life issues and faculty members stoke the fires of their faith and teenagers hammer out their identity, we give you thanks O Lord. Where families and business people find help and all come…one and all… to whisper under the shadow of a hundred crosses: Come by here Lord…come by here.”
G. Todd Wilson—2000
“God has clearly blessed this congregation in the past. We who are privileged to serve here in the present can build upon the marvelous heritage of our ancestors in the faith. The remarkable gifts, talents and commitment of our current congregation insure a bright future. We are confident that the Spirit of God will continue to lead us and that, with God’s presence and guidance, the best is yet to be.”
Russell (Rusty) P. Brock - 2007 - Present
"First Baptist Clemson is poised to once again have a significant impact for Christ in the Clemson community. Our facility improvements have prepared us to impact Clemson in all walks of life from our Child Enrichment Center to our Students ministry to our Keenager ministry. Our family Life Center is quickly becoming a “gathering place,” for community events. I believe over the next several years God will provide First Baptist Clemson incredible opportunities for mission and ministry."
Produced by the History Committee
2007