On December 28, 1879, a small group of men assembled at the Piedmont Union Church building and organized the Piedmont Baptist Church.  The Rev. M. (Mike) McGee, pastor of Grove Station Baptist Church, acted as moderator and S.F. Trowbridge, of Piedmont, as church clerk.  Rev. M. McGee was then called as pastor to supply the pulpit the fourth Saturday and Sunday in each month at a salary of $176.00 per year.  Twenty-two (22) years later Rev. T.M. Golphin was called as the first full time pastor, at a salary of $900.00 per year.

     Services were held in the old Union Church building, from organization until July 26, 1891, when the Piedmont Baptist Church building was dedicated.

     Application for membership in the Greenville Baptist Association was approved by the association in July, 1880.

     In September 1880, there were ten (10) received for baptism, these being the first received for baptism.  Quarterly communion was adopted by the church on February 25, 1888.  Church offering envelopes were first used by church members in February 1889.

     May 26, 1889 “Ladies Working Society” was organized.

     May 12, 1890, a committee was appointed to raise money to build a church building.  Membership at this time was 500.  July 26, 1891 the Piedmont Baptist Church building was dedicated.

     August 2, 1891, the Piedmont Baptist Sunday School was organized with 125 members; F.S. Harlin was elected Superintendent.

     March 5, 1899, a movement was begun to build a parsonage.

     “Baptist Young Peoples” Union, now known as the Baptist Training Union (BTU), was organized in November 1914.  Plans to raise money for the new church building was adopted by church members on November 1, 1937.  The first service held in the new church building on December 5, 1941. 

     The “Business Women’s Circle” was organized in January 1941, with twenty-two (22) members.  Clara Phillips served as president.

     Rev. M. Clyde Smith was the pastor.  The new church building was dedicated on November 22, 1942 with Rev. Henry Long preaching the dedication sermon.  Rev. Smith tendered his resignation on May 2, 1943.  The Church called Rev. Alvis Edwards, a student pastor, to supply from June 1, 1943 until August 31, 1943.

      In June of 1943 Miss Martha Jordan, Furman graduate from Belton, was employed as Educational Director for the summer months.  During these months Miss Jordan and Rev. Edwards directed a highly successful Vacation Bible School enrolling one hundred - twenty (120) pupils.  They also directed many special projects for our young people during this time.

     Rev. William R. McLin was called November 14, 1943, beginning his ministry December 1, 1943.

     The church voted to adopt the Budget Plan on February 27, 1944 and a committee was appointed to prepare the budget for the approval of the church.  On the following Sunday a weekly budget of $145.00 was adopted and the pastor’s salary was raised to $60.00 per week.

     During the latter part of 1944 extensive changes were made in the sanctuary of the church.  The choir loft, which was located to the side of the pulpit was moved to the back of the pulpit.  To provide room for this arrangement the pulpit was extended several feet.  The Piedmont Manufacturing Company gave a “handsome” donation to help defray the cost of these improvements.

     Rev. McLin resigned as pastor on July 15, 1945 to be effective August 1, 1945.

     Rev. Maxie C. Collins, jr.  was recommended by the pulpit committee to the church on September 9, 1945.  The church extended the call and Rev. Collins began his ministry on September 23, 1945.

     On February 10, 1946 Dr. J.P. Jewell, Chairman of the deacons, appointed a committee to check the feasibility of raising funds to build a new parsonage and purchase an organ.  This committee returned a recommendation to proceed with the projects.  This recommendation was brought before the church and was approved.

     In March, 1947 the church authorized the organ committee to purchase a Wurlitzer organ at a cost of $3,550.00. 

     Rev. Collins resigned the pastorate in August 1947.

     In their regular meeting of November 9, 1947 the deacons voted to change the name of the church from Piedmont Baptist Church to the First Baptist Church of Piedmont.

     Rev. Wade Griffin followed Rev. Collins as pastor in December 1947.

     The new parsonage was completed in March 1949.  A dedication for the parsonage and the organ was held on the lawn of the parsonage on April 23, 1950.

     Rev. Griffin resigned the pastorate in April 1950.

     Rev. Robert F. Cochran, jr. became pastor on July 1, 1950.  During the first three (3) months of his pastorate eight-five (85) members were received into the church.

     Early in 1951 the Brotherhood was re-organized with an enrollment of fifty-three (53) members.

     In July 1951 the church voted to start a mission church in the western section of Piedmont.  By the summer of 1952 the attendance was averaging thirty-five (35).  Haynes Rivers, a student at Furman University was secured and served effectively.  Under Rivers’ leadership the attendance soared to an average of ninety (90) in Sunday School.  With approximately one hundred (100) persons ready to become charter members, the First Baptist Church voted to constitute the group into the Piedmont Heights Church.  A  $10,000.00 donation was given to the new church to start their building fund.

     Rev. Cochran resigned as pastor in 1952 to become pastor of a church in Virginia.

     Rev. E.S. Morgan became pastor in 1953.  An educational building was added in 1955.  This building was named in honor of Rev. and Mrs E.S. Morgan.  Rev. Morgan resigned the pastorate in March 1961.

     Rev. Dr. Thomas A. DeVenny became pastor in August 1961. 

     In 1979 much planning was the order as the 100th year anniversary of the founding of First Baptist Church was at hand.  The celebration included a homecoming service on September 9, 1979.  Rev. David Adkins preached the service with an estimated four hundred and fifty (450) attendees.  After the service lunch was served in the Morgan building, affording time for renewing acquaintances.  Mrs. Clara Riley spearheaded the homecoming project, which included musical selections from years past.  Mrs. Riley reviewed old church records to help decide which music selections would be used.  Other special guest at the homecoming service included Mr. Howard McGee and Mr. Bennett McGee, grandsons of Rev. M. (Mike) McGee - Founder of Piedmont Baptist Church.  The celebration concluded with an anniversary service held on Sunday December 30, 1979.  Rev. Mike L. McGee, the great grandson of the founder of the church was an honored guest.  Rev. McGee was pastoring Morningside Baptist Church in Spartanburg at that time.

     The church voted to install an elevator with the work being completed in January 1981.

     A complete renovation of the sanctuary, including expanding the pulpit area, was begun early in 1995.  A dedication service for this the newly refurbished sanctuary was held on June 11, 1995.

     Dr. Thomas A. DeVenny retired as pastor in August 1996 after thirty-five (35) years service, the longest pastorate in the history of the church.

     Rev Timothy Bonner was called to be pastor on September 14, 1997, beginning his pastorate duties on October 12, 1997.

Ordinations

The First Baptist Church has ordained two (2) of its members into the ministry:

     (1) Rev. Henry Grady Pickelsimer - 1921

     (2) Rev. David Adkins - 1972

 

     Rev. Hayne Rivers was also ordained by the church at the time he was called to the

     pastorate of Piedmont Heights Baptist Church.