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TO CELEBRATE THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ST. JOHN AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND TO CONGRATULATE THE CONGREGATION FOR THEIR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PAWLEYS ISLAND COMMUNITY.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church of Georgetown County will celebrate its one hundred fiftieth anniversary on April 7, 2017; and
Whereas, St. John was established in the spring of 1867. The church was originally organized in Pawleys Island. This log-type church was first known as Campbell Chapel, named in honor of the founder Mr. Brutus Campbell; and
Whereas, on April 7, 1867, the church was accepted by the South Carolina Annual Conference, and Reverend S. Green became the first pastor of this new body of worship. From the early years of the church, the Waccamaw Circuit consisted of St. John, St. Mary, and Gordon Chapel. This practice continued until 1965, at which time St. John was made a station church. Reverend W. J. McKnight was the first minister to preach every Sunday; and
Whereas, St. John has had ministers of outstanding leadership, whose work has brought about the growth of the church to its present high standards. Several ministers have contributed much in the glorious one hundred fifty year history of the church. Some of these notable men include Reverend S. Green, Reverend B. Holland, Reverend Mingo Thomas, Reverend Marion Thompson, Reverend J. B. Green, Reverend Frank Woodbury, Reverend Carter, Reverend J. P. Carolina, Reverend Julius Holmes, Reverend C. Lewis, Reverend F. S. Atwood, Reverend G. E. Washington, Reverend J. H. Bryant, Reverend Robert Green, Reverend T. D. McClaim, Reverend W. J. McKnight, Reverend O'Neil Miller, Reverend Richard Brown, Reverend Frankie Thomas, Reverend Benjamin Johnson, Reverend Robert Morris, Reverend Jesse Marshall, Reverend Alford Buckner, and current pastor Reverend Harvey J. Doctor; and
Whereas, additionally, many local ministers have contributed their time and talent toward the growth of St. John AME Church. Among the local ministers who have helped further the faith of the congregation are Brutus Campbell, Miles Brown, W. M. Snipes, Kato Waldo, Solomon Brown, Tim Nesbitt, Andrew Gary, John Lino, Jake Maybank, Ben Brown, John Rainy, Benjamin Johnson, Ephraim Thompson, Mamie Gourdino, John Shepherd, William Brown, Samuel J. Greene, Eugenia Green, Plushette Greggs, and Catherine Gibbs; and
Whereas, furthermore, the church would not be what it is today without the help of many laymen in various capacities over the years. Thomas Sherald, Frank Reid, Jo Chisholm, Mark Sherald, Joe Ford, Tony Green, Charles Blount, Israel Carr, Kato Singleton, Redman Frasier, and Abram Joseph put their efforts together to design and build the steeple for the church. Joe Sherald, John Rainey, Buster Washington, and Ishmael Burgess acquired the cemetery for the church, which was given by Mr. Parker, James Rainey, Edward Dereef, John A. Jones, and Ben Smalls. Ruby Young raised a total of ten thousand dollars for the church. Mozell Nesbit played the church's first pump organ. Lee Folia Simmons served as the organist for over thirty years. Many other dedicated members, too numerous to list, have also committed their time and efforts into creating a better church for all; and
Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives recognize and honor the legacy of commitment to the Lord and spiritual growth of the congregation that St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church has created and look forward to many future milestone anniversaries. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate the joyous occasion of the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church and congratulate the congregation for their years of dedicated service to the Pawleys Island community.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church.
This web page was last updated on April 6, 2017 at 11:47 AM