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TO COMMEND ENOREE BAPTIST CHURCH OF NEWBERRY COUNTY FOR TWO AND A HALF CENTURIES OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO EXTEND WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THE OCCASION OF THE CHURCH'S HISTORIC TWO HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
Whereas, having been founded in 1768, Enoree Baptist Church of Newberry County will celebrate its historic two hundred fiftieth anniversary in 2018; and
Whereas, while Enoree Baptist is one of the oldest churches (and the oldest Baptist church) in Newberry County, little is known of its early history. According to Leah Townsend's History of South Carolina Baptists, Enoree was organized in 1768 as a branch of Fairforest Baptist Church on the Broad River and was first known as Bauskett's Church. It is believed that members worshipped in a tent from 1768 until 1771, when the church's first house of worship was built and its first pastor, the Reverend William Wood, began his ministry; and
Whereas, the fledgling church's first building was erected on the Enoree River at Littleton's Ferry, located on Major Jesse Maybin's Plantation in Maybinton, and is believed to have been a log hut. Later, it was moved to its present location near Keitt's Cross Roads in Newberry County. In 1822, a new church building was constructed just south of the present one; in fact, the cemetery of the first church building is on the land adjoining the present property and is known as Wadlington Cemetery. In 1859, another church building was added, and Bauskett's Baptist Church changed its name to Enoree Baptist Church. The present church property, consisting of approximately two and a half acres, was given to the church by Thomas Bauskett Wadlington. The deed was recorded on September 2, 1881, and was signed by R.S. Davidson and Hillary W. Suber, deacons; and
Whereas, Enoree Baptist has enjoyed various renovations and additions to its campus during its long history. Among the most significant were a new sanctuary with balcony, a two-story educational building, and a nursery (the reworked social hall), dedicated in 1977. In addition, the church voted to remodel the old sanctuary into a fellowship hall, which is still being used today. In 2006, a lovely prayer garden was created between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall; and
Whereas, under the leadership of the Reverend George H. Leagans, who began preaching at Enoree Baptist in 1999, the church developed an action plan in 2013 to guide its future service unto the Lord. Under this plan, the ninety-member congregation's challenge is "to welcome and engage individuals as lifelong servers of Christ, being church-minded with an emphasis on discipleship and outreach locally, nationally, and internationally, and to focus on aligning our church values with the kingdom of God and sharing our continued passion for Christ." Today, the church sponsors Sunday School and worship, a children's and youth ministry with emphasis on missions, the Women's Missionary Union, a thriving Vacation Bible School, and other ministries; and
Whereas, Enoree Baptist Church has been a beacon of light in Newberry County for two hundred fifty years, and, God willing, will continue its godly heritage in many more years of worship and service. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commend Enoree Baptist Church of Newberry County for two and a half centuries of service to the community and extend warmest congratulations on the occasion of the church's historic two hundred fiftieth anniversary.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Reverend George H. Leagans for Enoree Baptist Church.
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