Sumter genealogical society will feature history of Grace Baptist Church

The speakers for the Monday, April 15, membership meeting of Sumter County Genealogical Society will be Stephanie Gibbons and Faye Carraway.

The presentation will be on the history of Grace Baptist Church from 1900 to 2023.

As the first year of the brand-new 20th century was drawing to a close, a small group of dedicated Baptists resolved to make the effort and sacrifice necessary to organize and establish a second Baptist church in the City of Sumter.

These Christian visionaries, all members of the First Baptist Church, witnessed the growth of Sumter and saw an opportunity for more energetic mission work. The city's population 100 years after its founding (1900) had reached 5,673, and a group of four families felt that another Baptist church in the southwestern part of the city was needed. This area had experienced a population explosion with the coming of the railroad to Sumterville in 1852. The group held many meetings in their homes and businesses and spent countless hours in prayer before plans were fully developed for establishment of the new church.

On Oct. 24, 1900, a lot on the northeast corner of Bartlette and Sumter streets was purchased, and on March 8, 1901, the small white-frame church building that seated 200 was completed and named Bartlette Street Baptist Church. The church grew rapidly and needed to find a new location.

In 1913, a second church house was built on the corner of North Washington and Calhoun streets, and in 1914, the name changed to Grace Baptist Church. Seventy-one years later, the third and present church house was built on Calhoun Street, retaining the name Grace Baptist Church.

Gibbons is on the board of directors at Sumter County Genealogical Society, and Carraway is a volunteer. They both participate in Grace's Music Ministry and now on the Historical Committee.

The meeting will be held in the fellowship hall of Swan Lake Presbyterian Church, 912 Haynsworth St., at 7 p.m. Refreshments will follow the presentation. Visitors are welcome to attend, and admission is free to the public.

The society meets monthly from September through May. Membership includes newsletters during the year and free use of Sumter County Genealogical Society Research Center. Annual dues are $30 for individual membership and $35 for a family. If you are interested in joining or for additional information, call (803) 774-3901.