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TO COMMEND RED HILL BAPTIST CHURCH OF RICHLAND COUNTY FOR A CENTURY AND A HALF OF MINISTRY AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO EXTEND WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THE OCCASION OF THE CHURCH'S HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Red Hill Baptist Church has celebrated the milestone of its one hundred fiftieth anniversary; and
Whereas, at the time when slaves attended the same church as their slave owner, Congaree Baptist Church was established in 1775, and in 1868, some Black members left Congaree Baptist Church to organize Red Hill Baptist Church in a vacant house on a clay knoll under the ministry of Reverend Jonas Anchrom; and
Whereas, two years later, Reverend Anchrom died one Sunday while delivering the sermon. Deacon Steven S. Cochran became the second pastor of Red Hill in 1877, and under his leadership the Sunday School Department was organized; and
Whereas, Reverend James Scott, the third pastor, led the growing congregation until his death in 1906, and during that time the church built a larger building on its current location three miles from the first site on land purchased from the Doctor Julius Huguenin; and
Whereas, as an advocate of strong academic Christian education, the next pastor, Reverend Robert Jenkins, started a night school for adults to help those who had been denied an education in their youth, and Red Hill became known as an influential rural Baptist church for Blacks in Lower Richland until his death in 1930; and
Whereas, Reverend Thomas I. Duckett from Benedict College served as the fifth pastor for ten years, and under his leadership the Missionary Society and Usher Board were organized, and substantial repairs were made on the church; and
Whereas, in September 1940, Reverend Lucius Robinson, a teacher in the Eastover community, was called to serve as interim pastor for the remainder of the year. He became Red Hill's sixth pastor and served for fifty years. During this time, land was deeded to the church for constructing a larger church. Building started in 1964 and the new sanctuary was dedicated in 1967, with a fellowship hall and classrooms added later; and
Whereas, only the seventh pastor of Red Hill Baptist in the church's one-hundred fifty-year span, Reverend Donnie Carl Chambers was installed in 1992. Ordained in 1984, he earned a Bachelor of Divinity in 1987 and served four years as pastor of Goodwill Baptist in Greenville and was an associate pastor at Zion Baptist in Columbia; and
Whereas, a member of the Columbia chapter of the NAACP, Reverend Chambers is affiliated with the South Carolina Congress of Christian Education, is the past moderator and current vice moderator for the Wateree Baptist Association Upper Division, and served as chairman of both the executive council for that division and for the Wateree Baptist Association Retreat Center; and
Whereas, he labors to develop and equip the congregation to witness and share the word of God. Together with his beloved wife, Evangelist Onetha Chambers, he reared three fine children who have blessed their parents with the love of seven grandchildren; and
Whereas, Reverend Chambers leads Sunday services each week, a midweek, midday Bible study is taught, and youth worship is held once a month. A youth minister was added, and services for children and youth began; and
Whereas, over the years, Red Hill has been active in various Baptist associations: Gethsemane, Pee Dee, and presently Wateree Baptist Association Upper Division. The church shared its rich history in Lower Richland by starting other churches: Mount Zion, Mount Nebo, Mount Olive, Pleasant Grove, and Agape Ministries; and
Whereas, upon this sesquicentennial anniversary, the members of Red Hill Baptist Church celebrate their role as a beacon of light in Lower Richland, and by God's help, they will continue the treasured heritage of worship and service for years to come. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commend Red Hill Baptist Church of Richland County for a century and a half of ministry and service to the community and extend warmest congratulations on the occasion of the church's historic anniversary.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Pastor Donnie Carl Chambers.
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