ROCK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY

Rock Hill Baptist Church was established in the early 20's when a group of Christians began meeting at Mt. Sinai Methodist Church. During these early developmental stages Rev. Jones served as the first Pastor and under his leadership the first Deacon Board was formed. Those serving were James Covington, Sam Fan-is, and Wills Odell, Rufus Campbell, Huston Dalton, Paul Welch, and Hasco Jacobs.

The first building for the members of the newly developed Rock Hill Baptist Church was erected on property purchased from Tandy Hairston. Those instrumental in the construction of the church were Billy Warren, Will Abbott and Rev. Abe Fulp. The cornerstone was laid August 12, 1925 and the 31' x 40' building was completed in 1926. Rev. Leroy Poteat added a choir section; choir room and pastor's study and Rev. S.L. Ligon had the church wired for electricity. Rev. Will Akridge organized the first Sunday School Department and served as the first Superintendent and Rev. Jim White offered his leadership and organized the choir.

In 1957 Rev. I.L. Anthony became the Pastor of Rock Hill Baptist Church. The congregation was blessed with this mighty man of God that held a tremendous amount of vision and faith to carry out the plan that God held for the tiny congregation. The following deacons were appointed to assist Rev. Anthony in carrying out his vision for Rock Hill Baptist Church: Justus Martin, Levi Roberts, Howard Welch, William Carroll, Wayne Russom, Robert Hairston, Willie Cooper, Willie Ford and John Hairston. The need for additional auxiliaries became necessary, the Young Adult Choir and Pastor's Aide were formed, and the Usher Board was reorganized.

Despite the fact that modern contractual improvements had been made to Rock Hill Baptist Church, in 1971 Rev. Anthony presented the church with the vision of building another church. With his God given talent Rev. Anthony designed and constructed the new building with the help of Bro. Frank Hairston, Chairman of the Trustee Board, supervising and assisting with many of the task himself. On September 17, 1972 the congregation of Rock Hill Baptist Church marched into the newly constructed church singing "We're Marching to Zion!" Shielded with the whole armor of God Rev. Anthony preached from Philippians 2:13 with the subject being "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"

However just as God saw fit to give us Rev. Anthony he saw fit to place him on another journey and in April 1982 Rev Anthony offered his resignation. Although Rev. Anthony's guidance, compassion, and love for Rock Hill Baptist Church were missed, the congregation held on to their mustard seed of faith and prayed for another great man of God to lead them.

The church was without a Pastor for two months. God sent many great men with vision and dreams to serve his flock they were: Rev. Leroy Hill, Rev. Timothy Lyons, Rev. James Linville and Rev. Victor Dark. After these preachers presented themselves to Rock Hill's congregation and to the Board of Deacons, the congregation voted upon installing Rev. James F. Linville as Pastor. Rev. Linville became pastor of Rock Hill Baptist Church in June 1982.

Rev. Linville served as Pastor for six years. He was a devoted leader, teacher and a man of great wisdom who held love and compassion for the congregation of Rock Hill Baptist Church. Rev. Linville had a powerful message that held no boundaries. During his tenure 55 people were added to the church role and of these, 51 joined by baptism. Due to the sudden surge in the growth of the congregation it was necessary to add new programs to adapt to the changing face of Rock Hill and to add new auxiliaries to meet the needs of the congregation and the community. Therefore the Deaconess Board and Youth Department were developed. The church was also remolded under Rev. Linville's leadership. Modem equipment, kitchen appliances, a bus and van, stain glass windows, improvements to the bathrooms and beautification to the grounds of the church were made. However, Rev. Linville had come to the end of carrying out the plan and vision that God had for Rock Hill under his leadership. As a result in January 1989 Rev. Linville resigned as Pastor of Rock Hill Baptist Church.

With Rev. Linville's resignation the congregation had reached a record high of 240 members and the church family found themselves again, without a shepherd. Awaiting an answer to their prayers from the Lord the congregation spent eight months without a pastor. In August 1989 God sent Rev. James Hopkins to serve as Pastor. Rev. Hopkins held many goals and ideas for the church to enhance the service of the sudden youthful congregation. Under his pastoral leadership 18 members were added to the church role, eight trustees were added to the trustee board, A Sunshine Band was developed and the Young Adult and the Youth Choir were combined. While the congregation continued to grow the Lord held a different purpose for Rev. Hopkins and in November 1991 Rev. Hopkins resigned as Pastor of Rock Hill Baptist church after serving in that capacity for two years.

Again the congregation looked to the hills from which cometh their help and truly our help came from the Lord. For eight months the congregation continued to weather the storm without a pastor. During this time period, Minister John 0. Hairston served as interim Pastor until one could be found. Under Minster Hairston's leadership twelve members were added to the church role. However on August 23rd 1992 God poured out a blessing upon the church on the side of the road where everybody is somebody and Rev Billy Ray Smith was installed as Pastor of Rock Hill Baptist Church.

10 new parishioners have been added to our flock in the last year, making our membership total 267. As a result of his tremendous devotion and willingness to be a servant for our Almighty God, the need for additional auxiliaries became necessary and therefore the Junior Missionary Society, and Inspirational and Mass Choirs were formed. He also saw the need to reconstruct several of our existing auxiliaries to better pillar the body of Christ: they are the Children's Church, Gospel Choir, Youth Department and Missionary Society. In his continued obedience to Christ and the vision given to him for Rock Hill Baptist Church seven men and women of good rapport were sought from the congregation and thus were appointed to our board of Deacon/Deaconess. God has blessed Pastor Smith by entrusting to him eight ministers of the gospel, Gordon Hairston, David Webster, Richard Gray, Sabina King, Marvena Welch, Natasha Franklin, Mary Martin, and Kevin Gastley who in their calling to the ministry will continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Five men have been added to the Board of Trustees. The Lower auditorium has been completely remodeled with a kitchen area to accommodate the growth and development of our church family. A new van was purchased to improve the transportation ministry, the parking lot was repaved and security lights were added in order for members to move freely from the parking lot to the main sanctuary. A storage building was purchased to house all lawn equipment and a playground area was added for the children. The main sanctuary has been enhanced to provide a more pleasant atmosphere for the body of Christ to worship. We have refurbished the Pulpit, choir area, and the ladies restroom. We have also distended the vestibule, alternated the doors of the church and installed a security system. As of this date Rock Hill Baptist Church is in the planning stages of revamping the Church and building a fellowship hall. All of this we owe to God for using Pastor Smith in such a dynamic way to carry out his vision for the church and for this we thank him.

Rock Hill Baptist Church, the church by the side of the road where everybody is somebody and Jesus is Lord has stood strong for 87 long years. Despite the hardships satan tried to use to break the spirit of the church family, the people of this mighty church have continued to praise and serve the Lord with gladness. Through continual praise Rock Hill has been blessed and all things have been made possible through Christ Jesus. The hard work and dedication of this church family will continue to be exemplified throughout the community by the fruits of our labor for the Lord.