TOWNVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY CEMETERY, Anderson County, SC A.K.A. Townville, SC Version 2.3, 31-Jul-2003, C996.TXT, C996 **************************************************************** 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 contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn Seneca, SC, USA Oconee County SC GenWeb Coordinator Oconee County SC GenWeb Homestead http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Oconee County SC GenWeb Tombstone Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/cemeteries.html http://www.usgwtombstones.org/southcarolina/oconee.html **************************************************************** DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Jul-2003 Ruby Wallace at rgw3593@lcii.net in Jul-2003 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Jul-2003 G.P.S. MAPPING . : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Jul-2003 HISTORY WRITE-UP : Townville Baptist Church T.H.G. IMAGES ......... : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Jul-2003 LOCATION WRITE-UP: Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Jul-2003 TRANSCRIPTION .. : ____________ at ____________ in _______ CEMETERY LOCATION: ------------------ Downtown Townville. Latitude N 34 33.911 x Longitude W 82 53.804 CHURCH/CEMETERY HISTORY: ------------------------ TOWNVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH The Townville Baptist Church was constituted March 29, 1851. The circumstances which led to its organization are rather phenomenal, yet the same spirit which constrained the brethren and sisters to form this new church, has doubtless been a vital factor in the rapid and permanent growth of the church. The circumstances are as follows: Old Providence Baptist Church, located four miles west of Townville, and which, by the way, is marked only by an old cemetery, was domineered over by some men who were not overly saintly, and opposed the Sons of Temperance. They refused to receive a young man into the church because he belonged to the Temperance order, so a number of the better members were highly incensed at this unchristian procedure, and determined to organize a church where temperate people could be permitted to join. There were but a few members at first, but the blessings of God rested on the little band, and they prospered. The charter members were Samuel Brown and wife, Helen T. Brown, H. R. Vandiver, Mrs. Lizzie Ledbetter, C. P. Bruce, O. H. P. Fant, Rev. J. R. Hunnicutt and wife Elizabeth, and Susan and Mary C. Vandiver. The church was called Townville Baptist Church. The third Sunday was chosen as the regular preaching day, and Saturday before as the Conference Day. Brother Samuel Brown was elected church clerk, and a committee was appointed to prepare rules of decorum. Though the church was not organized until March, they sent delegates to the Saluda Association in August, asked for admittance, and they have been a part of the body ever since. In 1858 at the close of the church service it was decided to organize a Sunday School. In 1885 the women of the church organized themselves into a Missionary Society. The Baptist Young People's Union was organized in 1922. Townville Baptist Church has remained mission minded, successfully supporting home, state, and foreign missions. Over the years, Townville Baptist Church has prospered, erecting a new church building in 1952, and a youth educational building in 1965. A new steeple, and renovations of the sanctuary was completed in 1980. In the early 1990's, stained glass windows were donated by various church families. There was a 150th Anniversary Celebration at the church on March 25, 2001 with former pastors returning to take part in the service. There were history displays, former members returning, people dressed as long ago, food, and offering for the day going to Family Life Center Building Fund. It was a great day as we celebrated 150 Years of Service to Our Lord. Pastor list: L. R. L. Jennings 1851 to 1852 W. R. Barnes 1921 to 1923 David Simmons 1852 to 1866 G. M. Gardner 1923 to 1925 W. E. Walters 1866 to 1868 J. F. Moore 1925 to 1933 David Simmons 1868 to 1870 J. K. Lawton 1933 to 1936 Thomas Crymes 1870 to 1874 P. M. Baisch 1936 to 1938 E. L. Sisk 1875 to 1881 H. M. Hodgens 1938 to 1945 J. R. Earle 1881 to 1893 H. G. Bryant 1946 to 1955 J. F. Singleton 1894 to 1898 G. H. Summer 1955 to 1958 D. W. Hiott 1898 to 1899 Lawrence Southerland 1959 to 1961 R. J. Williams 1899 to 1905 W. W. Willingham 1962 W. B. Hawkins 1905 to 1908 W. C. Lindsey 1963 to 1976 J. A. Campbell 1908 to 1909 Cecil Chambers 1976 to 1978 R. J. Williams 1909 to 1912 Tim Bradley 1979 to 1986 W. B. Hawkins 1912 to 1914 W. Crate Murphy 1986 to 1989 J. E. Crim 1914 to 1916 Jeffery Smith 1990 to 1994 J. D. Chapman 1916 to 1921 Joseph W. Moss 1995 to 1999 Paul C. Johnston, SR. 2000 present In 2001, the church entered into a commitment to build a Family Life Center. At this writing the work on the building is moving rapidly. Projected completion is 2003. We anticipate many years of Service to Our Lord ahead for Townville Baptist Church. March 6, 2003 Townville Baptist Church 8816 Hwy 24 P. O. Box 125 Townville, SC 29689 Telephone or fax 864-287-3913 In the year 1881 the Rev.J. R. Earle, of Anderson County, S. C. Was called to the pastorate of the church. Brother Earle served the church for thirteen years, from 1881-1893. During Brother Earle's pastorate there was a good work done. The gospel truths were preached, missions were planted in the young minds and hearts. During these years the membership reached upward of 300. Two new churches were largely formed from Townville, viz: Cross Roads Church, in Oconee County, and Oakdale Church, in Anderson County. The Sunday school was a great help, too, during this period of the church. In the year 1883 Brother H. R. Vandiver, resigned his office of clerkship, and Brother J. R. Bruce, the present incumbent was elected to take his place. In the year 1894 the Rev. J. F. Singleton was called to be pastor of the church. During the year thirty two were added to the church, and a spirit of union and progress pervaded the entire church. During this time the Sunday school and Woman's Missionary Union were as prosperous as the church. In the fall of 1894 Rev. J. F. Singleton was re- elected pastor for the year 1895. Townville has for some time had preaching two Sundays per month, and have debated the propriety of having preaching every Sunday in the year. The first deacons are not mentioned in the minutes, neither are they mentioned definitely throughout the church record. Hence I give only the present deacons. Brother G. W. Marett, one of the oldest and most zealous members of the church, though passed his three score and ten years, is still active for the Master. Brother W. S. Woolbright, who is also far advanced toward the destiny of man, is one of the most thoughtful deacons this writer has ever been permitted to work with. Brethren W. F. M. Fant, E.P. Earle and L. O. Bruce are ideal deacons after the Pauline kind. Brother Draton Babb has just recently joined with us, but bids fair to be a good deacon, and a bright light for Christ. Townville Baptist Church is situated in the little county village in the western portion of Anderson County, South Carolina. Townville is unsurpassed in the State for fertility of soil, good water, good health and good society. May the generations following walk in the way of their fathers, only pressing on further into the regions of usefulness, until all the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ. Amen. Brother Singleton, the present pastor, is a young man of sterling worth, and is rapidly developing into an able and interesting preacher. He now has seven appointments to preach in each month, and large crowds greet him wherever he goes. T.H.G. TOMBSTONE TRANSCRIPTION NOTES: ------------------------------ a. = age at death b. = date-of-birth d. = date-of-death h. = husband m. = married p. = parents w. = wife >