HISTORY OF FLAT ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH
In 1866, Three years after the Emancipation Proclamation, a band of Christian men and Women, Rev. James Keith (the first elected pastor of Flat Rock and also the first Moderator of the Seneca River Missionary Baptist Association) along with Brothers John Reid, Issac Brown, Pomey Henderson, Jackson Henderson, Green Cleveland and Sisters Emily Brown, Mary Keith,
Emily Cleveland, Mary Wright, Carrie Singleton, Marie White, Martha Henderson, Rhoda Henderson, Celie Williams, Caroline Pickens, and Alice Glover, the sixteen charter members, they served God under a brush harbor, decided to organize and build a church. Keith’s leadership Flat Rock became a member of the Rocky River Association of Anderson County. Due to the distance and time involved in traveling to Anderson, Flat Rock along with Nine other churches ( namely: Parker now known as Shiloh, Snow Hill, Mt. Sinai, Choehee, Double Springs, Pleasant Hill, Mt. Nebo #1, New Light and Abel) was grant letters of dismissal from the Rocky River Association of Anderson County in 1878 to form the Seneca River Missionary Baptist Association. The Walhalla Colored Militia was organized in August 1870 and Pastor Keith was its Captain. Keith also held a significant role among the early Republicans in the Union League. He died at the age of 65 years, preaching for 30 of those years. His remains and the remains of his wife, Mary Keith, one of the Charter members of Flat Rock are interred in the church cemetery. During the Seventeen years Rev. Keith served as pastor of Flat Rock a larger building was constructed of the same material as the first, which was logs, because the membership increased. Diedrick Biemann conveyed 1 acre of land, for the sum of $5.00 on April 8, 1871 to Messrs. Joel a Beard, A. Taylor, and J. Stribling, as trustees; for the sole purpose to aid in the er****on of a house of worship for the Baptist Denomination, and to open or permit to be opened, annexation of Catherine Street to be used and enjoyed by persons worshipping in the said church. During the pastorate of Rev. Oglesby (1884-1899) another building for worship was erected in 1887, which is the same building that we worship in today with quite a few modifications and additions. While Rev. J. A. Watson was pastor (1899-1904) Mr. R.T. Jaynes conveyed 1/2 acre at the fork of public road from Walhalla to Westminster and the road from Walhalla to Flat Rock Colored Baptist Church to Trustees of Bear Swamp School District #72 on July 22, 1899 for a school building and lot, to promote education in the community for the sum of $81.25. Southerland (1904-1909) 2 1/2 more acres of land was purchased from Mr. C. Burnside by Trustees: Messrs. Phillip Mattison, S. E. Westfield, Thomas Singleton, Richard Hutchenson, and J. Q. Terry. The church bell was purchased and a tower erected during Rev. Southerland’s leadership. The choir stand was built while Rev. B. Morton led the congregation (1916-1924) and the membership continued to increase. R. Steward, our ninth pastor, served for 19 years; it was during this time that the pastor’s study was built and the pews we now occupy were bought. A great spiritual leader in the person of Rev. Robert B. Ayers of Anderson, SC (1943-1959) our 10th pastor. Leaders from all over the state came to conduct workshops dealing with Bible Study, Mission, and Tithing. The church was underpinned, a baptizing pool constructed, 3 Sunday School rooms added, and construction of the Fellowship building (on the school house lot across the road) at approximately cost of $2,500.00. It was during this time that Flat Rock was initiated into the State and National Conventions. The church was moved from its original site to the present site, the interior was completely renovated, the tithing system of giving instituted, and restrooms added to the Fellowship building during the pastorate of native son, Rev. Rufus H. Mitchell (1959-1970). Horton Howard consented to serve as pastor (1970-1972) until the call went forth to Rev. Sidney H. Davis, Sr. Davis accepted the call and led the flock of this church for 9 years (1972-1981). During 1973 the church interior and exterior was completely renovated, but the foundation erected in 1887 remained. Services continued at the Baptist Mission on Moore Ave every 1st and 3rd Sundays. New pulpit furniture, carpet, pew cushions, organ and piano was purchased along with installation of air condition and the purchase and installation of a PA system. Mortgage Burning and Cornerstone Laying Services were held on May 7, 1978 and on May 6, 1979 we began having service every Sunday instead of 2 Sundays a month. Our Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Bro. Thomas L. Allen, Sr., delivered his initial sermon on August 23, 1981 and installed as the 14th pastor on December 6, 1981. Allen’s leadership and guidance a Fellowship Hall was completed in 1983 at an approximate cost of $35,000.00, and dedicated to “The Glory of God”. In June 1991 the church sanctuary was renovated again, and new carpet installed. The Trustee Board reorganized, a handicap ramp constructed, classrooms, an office, bathroom, and a nursery has been added to the downstairs, and 5 additional acres of land purchased. Allen, like our first Pastor, Rev. Keith, served as Moderator of the Seneca River Missionary Baptist Association. November 11, 2009, Flat Rock Baptist Church, Walhalla, SC was issued a Certificate of Incorporation, Nonprofit Corporation by the Secretary of the State of South Carolina. Due to health challenges Rev. Allen retired as pastor in June, 2010 after 28 years of service, making him the longest serving pastor of Flat Rock Baptist Church to date. A young man, Rev. Timothy T. Taylor, licensed by the congregation of Flat Rock, who sat under the tutelage of Rev. Allen, and elected as Assistant Pastor, was elected and installed as the 15th pastor on July 11, 2010. Taylor resigned pastorate effective on November 30, 2014. We have been struggling here a long time, and many have been our heartaches, but by the help, Grace and Mercy, of a gracious God, we have made it through. Minister known to be licensed by the congregation of Flat Rock Baptist Church and ordained by the Seneca River Missionary Baptist Association are: Rev. William E. Cureton, Sr.; Rev. Allen, Sr.; Rev. Elvira C. Reaves; Rev. Mildred R. Kirksey (Deceased), and Rev. Timothy Taylor. We believe the church to be one of the greatest elements in the lives of individuals. What would we do without the church? We would be in an awkward position and our plight would be quite horrible. The church has stood the test of times, and come out victoriously. The Bible that rest on the alter has long been the friend of mankind, offering spiritual guidance, words of comfort and encouragement. We feel the church is a place where mutual friendships can be found which will produce lasting relationships. Here, one can hear the truth, and if accepted will set you free. Truly, the church today is one of the most outstanding factors in the life of all races, for it stands for that which is pure and holy. Mission:
Is to Preach the Word of God and Equip the People of God to be an example to others in the Kingdom. Motto:
“The Little Church with a Big Heart”
Vision:
To worship in an accessible and informal style with a practical concern for the people within the church and the community and involvement with them. A program of nurturing and teaching alongside a growing relationship that will lead people into a higher spiritual experience. On December 12, 2015, Pastor Willie Ray Young was elected to be the 16th pastor by the congregation. He began serving officially as Pastor of Flat Rock Baptist Church, Walhalla, S. C on January 3, 2016. Pastor Young, a born again Christians and Ordained into the Ministry of Teaching and Preaching, and married to Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He came to us teaching and preaching Repentance and Salvation just as John preached in the wilderness. Pastor Young says "all he has to give is the Word of God". "When the teachings of men conflict with the word of God, it would be wise to go with God.” He serves as our present pastor.
