NEW HOLLY LIGHT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY (1962), Anderson County, SC a.k.a. A202 New Light Baptist & A184 Holly Springs Baptist Church Website: http://www.newhollylight.org Version: 3.0 Effective: 21-May-2006 Text File: A377.TXT Image Folder: A377 ******************************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the recording contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the following USGenWeb coordinator with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn (visit above website) SCGenWeb "Golden Corner" Project Coordinator Anderson: http://www.rootsweb.com/~scandrsn/ Oconee: http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Pickens: http://www.rootsweb.com/~scpicke2/ DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Dec-2007 GPS MAPPING .... : Gary L. Flynn at (visit above website) in Dec-2007 HISTORY ........ : Provided by Church website IMAGES ......... : See church website ******************************************************************************** CHURCH LOCATION: ---------------- 8 miles NW of Anderson. Latitude N43 35.512 x Longitude W82 48.009 CHURCH HISTORY: --------------- o----------o In 1883,the former New Light Baptist Church was organized under the leadership of the late Rev. Albert Lewis. The following history information was taken from the Inventory of Church Archives of Churches 1935. New Light Baptist, 7 mi. NW of Anderson, Organized 1887 1st in a log structure 1887 - 1897, built 1897 wooden structure oblong shaped 36 X 42, belfry and bell, vestibule entrance, plain square doors and windows. Capacity 250. Value of building $2750, value of lot $150, total value of church property $2900.00. First settled clergy Albert Lewis, tenure 1887 (one year). Charter members unknown, present membership 75. This organization is the mother church of Holly Springs Colored Baptist and represents the members who did not withdraw to organize that church. o----------o In 1887, the former Holly Springs Baptist Church was organized from New Light Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Frank Morris. The following history information was taken from the Inventory of Church Archives of Churches 1935. Holly Springs Baptist, 7 mi. NW of Anderson, Organized 1887 1st in school house (since then destroyed) 50 yards N. of present site 1887 - 1890. Built in 1890, wooden frame t shaped, bell and belfry, vestibule entrance, plain square windows and doors. Oldest cemetery marker 1901. Capacity 250. Value of building #3250, value of lot $350, total value of church property $3600.00. First settled clergy Frank Morris, tenure 1887 - 1888. Charter members unknown, present membership 60. This organization came out of the New Light Church about 200 yards west of this church. The land was given by Robert Adger (white). o----------o On December 2, 1961, the above two churches agreed on consolidation naming the new church New Holly Light Baptist Church. On January 24, 1962, the land for the site of the church was purchased. The women of the two former churches raised money to purchase the land in less than two months. On May 14, 1962, a consolidation program was held at the former New Light Church conducted by the Moderator of the Rocky River Association, Rev. J. S. Maddox. The theme of the reorganization of the two churches was: "ARTICLE OF FAITH", by Rev. J. H. Russell. The consolidation sermon was by Rev. J. C. McDowell. On October 28, 1962, the program of merging together was held at Holly Springs Church. After service, the groundbreaking was held at the new site. The first shovel of dirt was taken up by the late Mrs. Mamie Ware, Mrs. Katie Belcher, and the late Mrs. Janie Walker. On April 28, 1963, New Holly Light Baptist Church opened its doors to the members and public to view God's Holy Sanctuary. On May 5, 1963, New Holly Light Baptist Church had its dedication service. Program participants were: Guest Speaker - Prof. A. A. Martin Remarks - Rev. O. S. Scott (Former Pastor of New Light Church) Dedication of Church Property - Bibles, Hymnals, etc. Dedication Prayer - Rev. Harold Mims Sermon - Rev. J. S. Maddox, Moderator of the Rocky River Association On May 12, 1972, a program was held for the burning of the mortgage, led by Deacon James G. Williams. Susan Miller and Janice Brown tore up the mortgage and each one of the members selected a piece of it to burn. Our visitors joined in the burning. Building Fund Committee included: James G. Williams, Chairman Laura Keesley, Secretary William Hagood, Treasurer The merging of these two churches has gone on record in the history of the Rocky River Association as the greatest achievement of two churches. On October 26, 1987, a legal document was signed by Johnny Willams, Church Clerk, James Rice, Church Treasurer, and Pastor Curtis Hill giving Walter Odell Jackson Jr., Chairman of the Trustee Board and Jimmy Walker, Vice Chairman of the Trustee Board authorization to negotiate a loan from the Perpetual Building and Loan Association of Anderson for renovations to the sanctuary. During the Spring of 1988, renovation to the church were completed. The sanctuary was extended, the front entrance was added to include a lobby area, an indoor men's restroom, a more suitable ladies restroom, and additional office space. In 1990, New Holly Light Missionary Baptist sponsored its first community Health Fair. A short time prior to July 1996, New Holly Light Baptist unofficially changed its name to New Holly Light Missionary Baptist. On July 3, 1996, the church was officially recognized by SC Secretary of State, Jim Miles, as New Holly Light Missionary Baptist Church and received our Certificate of Incorporation as a Nonprofit Corporation on July 10, 1996. In 1998, New Holly Light Missionary Baptist became a member of the Anderson Chamber of Commerce. The association with the Chamber was one of many steps taken to expand the vision of a holistic community oriented church. New Holly Light Missionary Baptist is one of only a few community churches holding membership at the Anderson Chamber of Commerce. On October 3, 1999, a Farewell Service was held in the old sanctuary. As the choirs sang, "We've Come This Far By faith", the service moved from the old sanctuary to the newly erected sanctuary. In 2000, New Holly Light Missionary Baptist Church in collaboration with Partners for Healthy Community was awarded the Healthy Spirits Grant to provided heart/stroke screenings for all members. In 2003, New Holly Light Missionary Baptist Church in collaboration with Anderson School Districts 3 and 4, was awarded the Project HERO Grant $850,000.00 (over 4 years) to be used for a community education program for k- 12. During the weekend of November 18-20, 2005 the New Holly Light Missionary Baptist Church family celebrated Reverend Curtis & Mrs. Louise Hill's 25th pastoral anniversary. In November 2005, the Upstate Minority Alliance awarded Reverend Curtis Hill the Leadership Award and Paulette Grate the Cutting Edge Innovation Award. o----------o Pastor: Curtis Hill at pastorand1lady@aol.com Webmaster: Wanda Staggers@earthlink.net