Chester’s founding father, John Kennedy gives land….and more
City Directories and History: 1908 – Henry Jordan (Rev. lived at 189 Columbia Rd.), Joel S. Snyder (Rev. living at church), 1940 – 1958 – 1978
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Sept. 4, 1879 – “The Baptist congregation in Chester is erecting a very neat and commodious parsonage on the church lot.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Nov. 13, 1879 – “Rev. R.W. Sanders has occupied the new Baptist Parsonage.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Feb. 28, 1884 – “A major storm hit Chester last Tuesday. The bell tower of the Baptist Church was blown down. The Pres. Church, the Oil Mill and several Main Street buildings were damaged. The worse damage downtown was to R. Brandt’s Jewelry Store and the National Bank Building, both of which lost their roofs.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on March 6, 1884 – “The Chester Baptist congregation recently held a meeting to take steps to erect a new church on the site of the one destroyed by the recent cyclone. The building will be of brick and will cost about $5,600.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on March 6, 1884 – “The Baptist Church in Chester has secured temporary meeting space on the first floor of the Odd Fellow’s Building. They have secured about $3,000. toward a new church and need an additional $2,000. Later on March 27, the paper reported that the building committee of the church consists of: Rev. Mr. Sanders, J.C. McFadden, J.H. Smith, E.T. Atkinson, W.A. Sanders, Frank Nail, G.W. Culp, S.B. Massey, and M.A. Carpenter. They plan on building a brick building and now have secured $4,000.”
On May 8th 1884 the Yk Enquirer reported – “Mr. C.W. Wynn of Charlotte has obtained the contract for building the new Baptist Church in Chester.” Later on May 15th the paper reported – “Mr. C.W. Winn, will begin work on the Baptist Church as soon as the brick can be made. The seating capacity will be 275 in the auditorium and 60 in the lecture room. The two rooms can be combined when needed.”
On March 19, 1885 the YK Enquirer reported – “Religious services were held on the first time on yesterday in the new Baptist Church. Rev. Alexander of Columbia preached.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported Jan. 15, 1890 – “The residence of Mr. I.N. Cross was destroyed by fire. A strong west wind was blowing and there was concern the fire might spread to the Baptist Church but it was contained.”
First Baptist Church of Chester, SC is one of the oldest in the city and has a rich history of providing religious
instruction and fellowship in the community. Started before the Civil War, and the original church building burned. A new brick structure was constructed in circa 1885, it was one of Chester’s outstanding architectural gems, one that attracted worshipers from a wide area. It was demolished in 1960 to make room for a larger building.
According to one source, the Baptist had the first church building in Chester. In 1836, Major John Kennedy (the minister’s father-in-law), gave the Baptists a lot which he said was to be used forever as a place of worship. In that same period a wooden church was constructed with a tall steeple, having a fish weather vain. A wooden baptismal pool was construct in Tanyard Branch behind the church which was described as “a beautiful clear stream.” In 1884, a cyclone struck Chester and the church was destroyed. [CRPC]
The Rev. L.C. Hinton, one of Chester’s wealthiest individuals, who pastored the Baptist Church of Chester lived on what is today Hinton Street in a handsome antebellum home. Prior to the Civil War he also ministered to an early African American congregation which became Gethsemane Baptist Church. For additional information see; 109 Hinton Street
Rock Hill architect, Alfred D. Gilchrist designed the Sunday school complex for the church in 1921. Alfred D. Gilchrist was born and educated in Manchester, England and came to America in 1900. In 1912 he arrived in Rock Hill and began practicing architecture. WU’s Pettus Archives has a collection of his drawings including those for the Baptist Sunday School addition from Nov. 1921.
Several building can be attributed to him; Ebenezer School – 1921, Stevenson Theater, Oakland Avenue Pres. Church, and several buildings at Winthrop University. His son, William P. Gilchrist worked as a designer and draftsman with the firm. Following WWII, Gilchrist associated with W. Lewis Cook in the firm Gilchrist and Cook. That firm had buildings including: Woodland Un. Methodist Church, Park Baptist Church and homes and schools. Ms. Bessie L. Garrison, Rock Hill Historical Research Papers #10 – 1952. The WU Pettus Archives also has plans submitted to Baptist Church member, Mr. M.A. Carpenter in 1926.
Informative link: 1st Baptist Church
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