A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CELEBRATE THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDRED twenty-fifth ANNIVERSARY OF THE St. Matthew Baptist CHURCH AND TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR Reverend Calvert r. Bradley AND THE CONGREGATION FOR THEIR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE North Charleston COMMUNITY.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that St. Matthew Baptist Church of North Charleston will celebrate its quasquicentennial anniversary in 2025; and

 

Whereas, St. Matthew Baptist Church was started in 1900 by Reverend Frank Guest and a group of baptized believers holding services on Grant Hill. A parcel of land was purchased at 268 Huger Street and St. Matthew Baptist Church was built; and

 

Whereas, after Reverend Guest's passing in 1927, Reverend A.W. Wright became pastor in 1928 and remained until his death in 1939; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Benjamin J. Whipper, Sr. was called as pastor in 1940. Numerous ministries were established under his pastorate including a new sanctuary with an educational facility, completed in 1950. The church was on the cutting edge of bold and relevant social and educational projects. It served as a meeting place for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1968, it was the memorial place for Federal Judge J. Waites Waring, who presided the school desegregation case, Briggs v. Elliott in Clarendon County. St. Matthew housed one of the first Head Start Programs established in the early 1960's, a tutorial program for high school students and a GED program for adults. They also printed a newsletter. Boy Scout Troop 108, one of the oldest troops in the Charleston area, was established in 1948. In 1997, Reverand Whipper retired after fifty-seven years as pastor; and

 

Whereas, in 2000, St. Matthew elected Reverend Dr. Clinton Brantley to serve as pastor. During his pastorate, the former Charleston Heights Baptist Church was purchased and became the new home for St. Matthew Baptist Church. Metanoia Community Development Afterschool Program was organized, and space was provided for the North Charleston Dental Outreach Clinic and for food bank distribution. St. Matthew served as the host church for the Charleston County Baptist Sunday School and BTU Congress of Christian Education Annual Week-Long Study Sessions, Charleston Area Justice Ministry rallies, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Commemorative concerts. Dr. Clinton Brantley retired in 2017; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Calbert R. Brantley was elected to the pastorate in 2019. In 2020, Pastor Brantley formed Connecting, Communicating, and Caring Ministry (CCC Ministry) to keep members connected during the Covid Pandemic. Virtual worship services and meetings were held on Zoom Video/Audio Communication, and prayer and Bible study were offered by conference call. In 2021, the church partnered with Palmetto Palace Mobile Health Unit to offer free Covid-19 testing and vaccination clinics. There were major renovations to the steeple, roof, and building; and

 

Whereas, in 2023, St. Matthew launched Life Group Study Sessions that took the place of traditional Sunday School and Wednesday Night Bible Study and offered members a rich opportunity to grow spiritually and in relationship with one another. Church services began streaming on Facebook and YouTube to reach as many people as possible; and

 

Whereas, St. Matthew Baptist Church continues to be a diverse and welcoming family of believers, uplifting Christ and connecting with the community through faith, love for God, and love for one another. With a strong commitment to their community through the years, members of the church have served with distinction in the South Carolina Legislature; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives commends St. Matthew Baptist Church in North Charleston for a century and a half of ministry in and service to the community, and the members extend warmest congratulations on the occasion of the church's historic anniversary. 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 twenty-fifth anniversary of St. Matthew Baptist Church and congratulate and honor Reverend Calbert R. Brantley and the congregation for their years of dedicated service to the North Charleston community.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Calbert R. Brantley.

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