CONCORD BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY (1887), Pickens County, SC a.k.a. > Version: 3.0 Effective: 31-Dec-2006 Text File: P035.TXT Image Folder: P035 ******************************************************************************** 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 Jul-2006 Vivian Parkman in Nov-2006 GPS MAPPING .... : Gary Flynn at (visit above website) in -2006 HISTORY ........ : ____________ at ____________ in _______ IMAGES ......... : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in -2006 RECORDING ...... : Sharon E. King at rockingk1@juno.com in Dec-2006 ******************************************************************************** CEMETERY LOCATION: ------------------ > GPS = Latitude N x Longitude W CEMETERY HISTORY: ------------------------ CONCORD BAPTIST CHURCH In November, 1887 parcels of land were deeded by Charley Childers and John S. Lathem to the Trustees of Concord Baptist Church for the specific purpose of erecting a Baptist Church and school house. On June 30 1888, Minutes of Organization were recorded by J.H.G. McDaniel, Secretary with J. M. Stewart showing as Chairman of this organizational meeting. A one room frame construction was placed on the same site where Concord Baptist Church stands today. Remodeling of this basic structure was done by adding Sunday School rooms in the 1940's; additional Sunday School rooms, vestibule, and inside remodeling in the 1950's, in 1963 the church was bricked and stained glass windows were added. On March 13,1977, the Church dedicated a new sanctuary and Sunday School department. Charter members of the church consisted of 21 males and 23 females (listed separately in the minutes), L.D. Stephens, M. Benjamin, and Carter Durham were elected Deacons. J.M. Stewart was elected Pastor; however, records show he did not accept and T.F. Nelson served as the first pastor. Other pastors since 1888 have been: J.T. Singleton, J.M. Stewart, W.C. Seaborn, T.C. Holsclaw, B.E. Grandy, Fulton S. Childress, J.T. Singleton, B.P. Moore, R.S. Sanders, R.A. Hudson, Z.I. Henderson, Ernest Brezeale, Cleve Marchbanks, H.A. Newton, Troy Chasteen, Cullen Stockton, Wilborn H. Merck, Lester Collins, W.H. (Jim) Lippard, Harold Hanley, Tommy Hayes. Submitted by: Sarah Ann Bates Source: Concord Baptist Church History by: Pickens County SC Heritage Book 1995 o----------o P035 CONCORD BAPTIST CHURCH Concord Baptist Church has rich memories. This March past marked four years ago that Rev. and Mrs. Lester Collins and their church family of over 275 members moved into their beautiful new church edifice that cost nearly $175,000 to build. They began a new era of church history that first began over 90 years ago in 1888. A statement of the beloved Pastor Collins at the dedication went like this: "The history of Concord Baptist Church is an interesting study from its founding in 1888 until today. The church has been an important part of the past and we should strive to make the future of this church as great." A little over four years have passed since the Rev. Mr. Collins made the preceding statements, but he is still the pastor of this progressive church and has the honor of having served the church for a total of 17 years. This period of time is far longer than any other pastor. IN THE BEGINNING According to some of the older members, it has been learned that before the organization of Concord at its present location, the church was located in the old Martin School District. However, the records of the deed for the present location read in part: (Deed dated November 19, 1887). "I, Charley Childress, in consideration of the sum of five dollars paid to me by members or trustees of a new church to be built, by the name of Concord, also to be used for a school house grounds." A deed dated November 21, 1887, reads in part: "I, John S. Lathem, in consideration of a sum of two dollars to me, paid by the trustees of Concord Church, to be used as a building site for a Baptist church." As far as can be determined, the church built in 1888 remained the basic structure until the present church was built in 1977. Minutes indicate that the school house was sold in 1897. It was not determined how long the school was used although Mrs. Barney (Addie Baker) Parrott recalls attending the school probably in the early 1890s. At that period in the history of Pickens County almost always the church and school were located on the same property. Both secular education and church worship were closely interwoven in the training of the youth. All of this closeness in religious training and education provide some of the fondest memories of many of the Concord members who are over 50 years old. In studying the history of this church, we ran across some of the rules and covenants of the early church and found them to be very interesting...such as a few rules of Decorum. 1st This church shall be known by the name of Concord Baptist Church of Christ. 2nd The time of their meeting shall be on the second Sunday and Saturday before, of each month; the business or conference meeting shall be on Saturday the first day of the meeting. 7th No one shall speak oftener than twice upon the same subject without permission from the body. 8th And must avoid any personal remarks calculated to wound the feelings of any member. 9th Each member is expected to fill their seats at every service, especially the males. 10th No member shall be allowed to contract debts and refuse to pay same without showing cause for his failures. 16th Each member shall be ruled by the church for swearing, drunkenness, dancing, and playing cards. We also found some interesting rather strong doctoring in the Declaration of Faith. 1st WE BELIEVE that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction, that it had God for its author, and salvation for its end, that it reveals the principles by which God will judge it and is the Standard by which all human conduct and opinions should be tried. WE BELIEVE that man was created in holiness under the law of His Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that hold and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners. WE BELIEVE that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again by the power and operations of the Holy Spirit upon the heart, and the outward evidence are fruits of holiness and a consecration to the service of GOD. IN every conference there was a call of the "peace of the church." If there were any dissension between members it was noted that the church was not in peace when they went out of conference and usually there was a committee to investigate and report to the church at next conference. For instance - in conference on March 25, 1905 minutes read as follows: "Call for peace of the church. Church not in peace, two families reported to church. Committee appointed to investigate and report to church at next conference." Revival services were called Protracted Meetings and usually lasted one or two weeks with services in the morning and evening. Collection taken on July 29, 1899 - $11.10. As early as August, 1890, Concord Baptist Church was a member of Twelve Mile Association and on that date delegates elected to attend were Brother T.F. Nelson, Brother O.P. Field and Brother L.D. Stephens. The yearly salary for the pastor in 1907 was $75. Along with the Protracted Meetings, the new church also enjoyed good convention gospel singing and almost every year for many years a singing school was an expected part of the church program. True tones of bass, tenor, alto and soprano could be heard in even the regular congregational singing. And the all day singing and dinner on the ground was a day that the entire community enjoyed. The graveyard near the church was another must of the early churches in this area, and Concord was no exception. One of the earliest grave markers to appear in the graveyard was that of J.P. Perritt, which bears date of birth May 11, 1830 and date of death October 6, 1895. Also another marker is that of Mattison Benjamin born December 2, 1845 and died on August 9, 1924. These family names are seen many times in the early history of the church. Mr. Benjamin was one of the charter members. Other markers throughout the cemetery bear names that are familiar to the history of the church as well as current recognition....Ellenburg, Alexander, Brezeale, Stephens, Spearman, Blackston, Todd and many other names familiar to most people of Pickens County. Some older members can remember when there was a wooden baptizing pool on the branch below the church. The water from the stream was used to fill the pool for baptizing. It has been told through the years that they took a post and broke the ice on the pool when John Blackston, a charter member was baptized. In the early 1920s, a concrete pool was built. This pool was used for the baptismal services until the new church was built. TOMBSTONE TRANSCRIPTION NOTES: ------------------------------ a. = age at death b. = date-of-birth d. = date-of-death h. = husband m. = married p. = parents w. = wife ALEXANDER, Austin B., b. 18-oct-1909, d. 5-may-1974 ALEXANDER, Bertha Mae, b. 23-aug-1905, d. 21-oct-1976 ALEXANDER, Lewis E., b. 12-may-1912, d. no date ALEXANDER, Malinda, b. 5-jan-1850, d. 28-jul-1897, h. J.L. Alexander BENJAMIN, Maregrette, b. 30-nov-1850, d. 29-jun-1924 BENJAMIN, Mattison, b. 2-dec-1845, d. 9-aug-1924 BLACKSTON, Creasie, b. 30-may-1860, d. 22-dec-1934 BLACKSTON, W. Andrew, b. 4-feb-1856, d. 30-jan-1936 BREAZEALE, Allen, b. 13-jul-1949, d. 27-jul-1949, p. Mr. and Mrs. Loyd Breazeale BREAZEALE, Amanda J., b. 29-aug-1860, d. 22-jul-1935, h. John M. Breazeale BREAZEALE, Celia, b. 21-jul-1863, d. 4-dec-1955, h. Jordan B. Breazeale BREAZEALE, Collie, b.,d. 10-feb-1910 BREAZEALE, Dollie, b. 25-jan-1897, d. 13-feb-1901 BREAZEALE, Eugene H., b. 15-jun-1899, d. 4-aug-1949, w. Hallie J. Breazeale BREAZEALE, Gladys, b. 23-apl-1904, d. 20-dec-1913 BREAZEALE, Hallie J., b. 29-oct-1896, d. 8-jun-1978, h. Eugene H. Breazeale BREAZEALE, John M., b. 16-jan-1859, d. 16-apr-1936, w. Amanda Breazeale BREAZEALE, Jordan B, b. 15-aug-1861, d. 3-sep-1953, w. Celia Breazeale BREAZEALE, Lillie, b. 15-jan-1901, d. 12-jun-1903 BREAZEALE, Luther, b. 20-jan-1894, d. 2-feb-1896 BREAZALE, Minnie, b. 1800, d. 1801, h. Sam Breazale BREAZALE, Sam, b. 1807, d. 1888, w. Minnie Breazale BRISSEY, Levi A., b. 14-sep-1922, d. 15-jan-1986, w. Lillie T. Brissey BRISSEY, Lillie T., b. 9-jul-1925, d. 30-may-1983, h. Levi A. Brissey CLAYTON, Margie Jane, b. 1-jun-1929, d. 8-nov-1986 DRYMAN, Chester, b.,d. 1968 ELLENBURG, Anderson, b. 27-jan-1866, d. 6-sep-1942 ELLENBURG, Martha Ann, b. 26-mar-1870, d. 15-jun-1927 ELLENBURG, Nancy E., b. 1850, d. 1925 FINLEY, Lois C., b. 11-sep-1914, d. 10-may-1977 FINLEY, William E., b. 7-jun-1915, d. 10-jun-1999 GILSTRAP, J. Cleveland, b. 29-jul-1939, d. 23-mar-1942, p. Leroy and Annie Gilstrap LESLEY, Alvin, b. 1944, d. 1954 LESLEY, Josie Nabors, b. 1926, d. 1981 LESLEY, Maggie, b. 1893, d. 1964 LESLEY, William David, b. 1923, d. no date LESLIE, Charlie G., b. 4-aug-1931, d. 7-feb-1991 LESLIE, Jeanette Elaine, b. 17-jul-1963, d. 28-jan-1964 LESLIE, Shirley Juanita, b. 17-dec-1961, d. 3-apr-1962 MCCALL, Jack, b. 31-mar-1949, d. 20-aug-2003, w. Wanda McCall MCCALL, James Laylon, b. 1935, d. 1989 MCCALL, Wanda, b. 4-jul-1952, d. 8-may-1978, h. Jack McCall MOSLEY, Irene Y., b. 1963, d. 1964 PERRITT, Andrew, b. 17-may-1870, d. 30-nov-1920, w. Nannie E. Perritt PERRITT, Darcus A., b. 12-dec-1847, d. 26-aug-1925, h. J.P. Perritt PERRITT, J. P., b. 11-may-1830, d. 6-oct-1895, w. Darcus Perritt PERRITT, Nannie E., b. 9-mar-1873, d. 26-jun-1952 , h. Andrew Perritt RAY, Tony E., b. 1948, d. 1980 SPEARMAN, Mary Benjamin, b. 8-dec-1872, d. 15-sep-1911, h. J.L. Spearman STEPHENS, Homer V., b. 28-jul-18891, d. 17-nov-1891, p. L.D. and R.A. Stephens TODD, Addie Rackley, b. 29-may-1914, d. 22-mar-1959 TODD, Allie Mae, b. 10-may-1895, d. 31-jan-1928, h. William D. Todd TODD, R. Frank, b. 12-jul-1914, d. 20-sep-1968 TODD, Roman B., b. 12-jan-1911, d. 21-sep-1902 TODD, William D., b. 9-jan-1872, d. 7-nov-1955, w. Allie Mae Todd WOOD, Floy L., b. 27-oct-1922, d. 29-oct-2004