History

St. John Baptist Church

Founded in 1877, 136 Years old

1315 Springhill Road • Camden, South Carolina

Several years during the church annual anniversary service celebration the history of Saint John Baptist Church was shared by the founding fathers of the St. John Baptist Church located in Kershaw County. Additional history information was shared by Deacon John Goodwin with Deacon James Enoch Clyburn, Sr. prior to his passing. It has been proudly shared by the late Deacon Clyburn with the congregation and friends over the past several years. After Deacon Clyburn, being elderly at the age of 88 on January 11, 2010, for the past 3 years the history has been shared by one his daughters, Sister Margaret Clyburn Lawhorn.

The founders of the church stated, "St. John started under a bush harvest 1 mile south of the church in the location of the gospel hill section of the community. Under the leadership of Rev. Tom Hampton, a leader for the people. He served during the 1800's.

As time moved on, they had an opportunity to move to a different location. During that time there were no paved highways, electricity or other modern day conveniences we have been blessed with today. With the faith the members had in God, they walked many miles for worship services.

After the church moved to its new location, it was under the leadership of Rev. Elick Aaron, who led the people to this location in the late 1800's for worship services. After he passed away in 1907, the Rev. I.S. Taylor stood as a gospel leader, when our older church was built. He served faithfully with his members for 20 years. Rev. F.M. Boykin became the next pastor and served St. John for 6 years. Afterwards the Rev. R. Boykin served as pastor for 32 years. The Rev. O.S. Thomas followed as pastor, serving diligently for 32 years as well.

The Rev. Roosevelt Edwin Bennett began pastoring on May 3, 1987. He served as a faithful pastor to the people for 9 years. Following as pastor was the Rev. Charles Darnell Mills. Rev. Mills delivered his first message to the congregation on May 4, 1997 and his acceptance sermon on May 18, 1997. Rev. Mills belief was "New leadership, new vision, marching forward."

Here stands with us today as pastor is the Rev. Richard James, Sr. He became the 9th pastor of St. John Baptist Church on March 29, 2000. Rev. James delivered his first message as Pastor-Elect to the congregation on April 2, 2000. His belief is "It's not about me, it's all about Jesus."

Under the leadership of Rev. O.S. Thomas, the old church was demolished in 1973 and a new church was built. The dedication ceremony was held February 3, 1974. Speaker for the occasion was the Rev. O.S. Scott, pastor of the Mt. Moriah Baptish Church. Participating choirs were Canty Hill Baptist, Mt. Moriah Baptist, St. Matthews U.M.C. Union Baptist and Mt. Zion Baptist to share in this blessed celebration along with visiting well wishers and friends.

Some of the older deacons that have served us and have passed away are: Deacon Israel Taylor, Deacon Summon Brisbon, Deacon Peter Wiley, Deacon Side Chestnut, Deacon Jocj Haile, Deacon Adam Hunter and Decaon William Thomas.

As the years past, some of the deacons that followed were Deacon John Goodwin, Deacon John Lloyd, Deacon Willie Lloyd, Sr. Deacon Earl Haynesworth, Deacon Hughey Thomas, Deacon James Pickett and Deacon J.B. Lloyd. Through out the years other deacons were installed and worked faithfully were Deacon Willie Goodwin, Deacon Joseph Cross. Also having served with us for a number of years was Deacon Andrew James.

Our present deacons are: Deacon Clyde Clyburn (Chairman), Deacon James Enoch Clyburn, Sr. (Chairman Emeritus of the board of deacons), Deacon B.J. Goodwin (Superintendent Emeritus of the Sunday School Ministry) and Deacon George Spann, Jr. (Vice Chairman).

The burning of the new church mortgage was held on March 23, 1980. The participating ministers who accompanied Pastor O.S. Thomas were Rev. Brice of Broom Hill Baptist, Minister Reid, Rev. T.L. Benjamin of Cantey Hill, the guest speaker for the dedication was the Rev. H.B. Washington, moderator of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Association.

Dedication services for the new fellowship hall was held on February 21, 1988. The guest speaker for the occasion was the Rev. D.L. Glover, Pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Along with Rev. Robert Stover, Vice Moderator of the Mt. Moriah Association. Rendering music with the St. John Senior Choir were St. Matthews U.M.C. Cantey Hill, Grant Hill and Mt. Zion Baptist Church Choirs.

A Praise Team was organized to accompany the Deacons during morning devotional services. The fellowship hall was enlarged with the addition of a new kitchen and pastor study. The church office was moved and three additional Sunday school classrooms were added. The church family dedicated the new addition to the church back to the Lord on Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 1:00 p.m.

The St. John Baptist Church has been blessed to have 5 choirs at this time to rendered their melodious voices to sing with uplifting voices giving praises to the Lord during each Sunday for worship services. They are the Senior choir, Gospel choir, Mass choir and Youth choir.