Our History
It was the opinion of some of our State workers that Harleyville was the largest town in South Carolina not having a Baptist Church. Realizing that there was a great need for a Baptist church in this area, a group of twelve men met at Memorial Church in St. George on April 12, 1950 for the purpose of discussing the organization of a Baptist Church in Harleyville. Plans were made for services to be held in the Harleyville High School Auditorium. On Sunday, April 23, 1950, a Sunday School was organized.
On June 4, 1950, a group, composed of members from surrounding Baptist churches, met in the capacity of an organizing council to hear and consider reasons for organizing a Baptist Church in Harleyville. The council recommended immediate organization. There were fifty four charter members. On the same day, the newly organized Church called a conference and extended to Rev. R. Earle Shelton a call to become pastor of the Church.
In September, 1950, it was learned that an Army Chapel could be bought for the sum of $1200. The church voted that this be purchased and moved to the church lot, this land having been purchased on August 4, 1950 for the sum of $1400. The Harleyville Baptist Church became a member of the Charleston Baptist Association on October 15, 1950. This Association was later divided, and the Screven Baptist Association was formed, and the church became a member of this Association. In October, 1958, the church voted to change the name from Harleyville Baptist Church to First Baptist Church of Harleyville.