Spring Branch Baptist Church celebrates 160th anniversary

By: Dwight Dana/Morning News | SCNow
Published: April 18, 2008

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Spring Branch Baptist Church in Pamplico is celebrating its 160th anniversary through Sunday.

Activities began Friday with a trip into the past. Members met at Spring Branch to look at old slides, pictures, newspaper articles and other historical memorabilia. And today there will be an invitation-only gala banquet at the Pee Dee Shrine Club from 6 to 9 p.m. The banquet features an elegant dinner and will honor out-of-town guests.

Worship begins with Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. followed by the main church service at 11 a.m. The Rev. Robert Spears, who grew up in Spring Branch, is the featured speaker. He is assistant pastor at Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Richmond, Va.

“We are proud of Spring Branch Baptist Church’s past as well as its present,” said church member Joan Spears. “We welcome visitors to worship with us April 20 for this historic anniversary.”

Spring Branch was formed in 1848. Charter members met in a grove of trees known as “the bush harbor.”

“We know from our Bible teaching that the people are the church,” Spears said. “The church was made up of mostly relatives and people that lived close by. The first pastor was Rev. Sims Robinson.”

The original site, used as a church and school, was in Marion County because Flor-ence County had not been established as yet. From the bush harbor, the church was moved to an old house while the first building was constructed.

And on Nov. 30, 1914, Annie J. Timmons “saw that our people needed a place for worship.” She deeded two acres of land for a church and school.

“The church has since purchased an additional five acres,” Spears said. “It has made remarkable progress through the years under the leadership of various pastors.”

The Rev. J.E. Bristow was the pastor for 38 years beginning in 1926. The old church was demolished and a new one built in 1954. Bristow was called from his labor to reward on Feb. 22, 1964.

Among other renovations are enlarging the kitchen, fellowship hall and restrooms; enclosing the front of the church to make a vestibule; renovating the pulpit; and landscaping and paving the parking lot.

“From its humble beginning under a bush harbor in 1848 to the modern-day facility, Spring Branch has progressed under many pastors and deacons,” Spears said. “Thanks be to God for the spiritual guidance and Christian leadership the church has brought through the years. We pray that God will continue to shower his blessings upon us as we strive to serve him and mankind.”

The Rev. Eddie L. Lasaine is pastor of Spring Branch, which is located at 945 E. Spring Branch Road in Pamplico.

Spring Branch Baptist Church celebrates 160th anniversary

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