William I. Mixon Archives - Allendale County

6565 Bluff Road

The Yorkville Enquirer reported on May 5, 1870 – “During the last growing season, over 300,000 lbs of guano and phosphates were landed at Matthew’s Bluff on the Savanna River for the use of planters in the upper portion of Beaufort County.”

City Directories and History: (Kirkland Church) Smyrna Baptist Church is an antebellum frame structure of meeting house design set upon a low brick foundation. The exact dates of construction are not known, but local tradition maintains that the present structure was erected in 1827, the year the church

Images by Bill Segars – 2005

was organized. A central Palladian window flanked by balancing nine-paneled entrance doors with transoms characterizes the front entrance. Both side facades feature five 9/9 windows with louvered shutters with eyebrow type windows located above each window. A cemetery surrounds the church. The original roof was covered by metal in the 1970s. The church exemplifies the meetinghouse design, which gained prominence in the early nineteenth century. Smyrna Baptist was organized in 1827 and was called Kirkland Church, a member of the Savannah River Baptist Association. Associated with the early history of the church is the heresy trial on charges of heterodoxy against Dr. W. R. Erwin, his wife Julia Robert and her sister-in-law Rachel Robert. The trial was held when the parties asked for an official ruling on their views about communion. In July 1833 the three were excommunicated from Kirkland Church and later formed Antioch Christian Church. Listed in the National Register May 28, 1976. [Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History]

Smyrna Baptist Church’s Congregation was formed in 1827 and the Church was built that same year. The original roof was covered with metal in the 1970s. Smyrna Baptist Church was formerly known as Kirkland Church.It was named Kirkland Church after Reverend Kirkland. The name changed to Smyrna Baptist Church in 1836. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 28, 1976.

This Church and surrounding cemetery had an odd feeling about it. It was a very heavy and almost creepy feeling. Not quite sure what was there, but I felt it. I have been to many different locations, and have never felt the feeling that I had while visiting this Church. (Contributed by Jodie Moore 9.8.17)

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NATIONAL REGISTER IMAGES(S)

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