H*4451 Concurrent Resolution, By R. Smith
 A Concurrent Resolution congratulating Bath First Baptist Church on its one
 hundredth anniversary.

   01/17/96  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-5
   01/18/96  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-8

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

CONGRATULATING BATH FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ON ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY.

Whereas, in 1895, Reverend G. L. Knight, a Baptist minister, arrived in the Town of Bath and found about forty Baptists in the vicinity but no Baptist church there; Reverend Knight led the people to agree to organize a Baptist church in 1896, and he began a building fund campaign for the church building which was completed in 1897; and

Whereas, Reverend Knight was succeeded by Reverend B. D. Thames about the year 1902; it was around this time that the church building was sold to Aiken Mills and made into a Community Church; and

Whereas, the Baptist church in Bath continued to grow and the Reverend J. E. Birt, following other illustrious ministers, became pastor in 1936; it was then that the church became a full-time church with 186 members; the present auditorium was begun during Reverend Birt's ministry; he was succeeded by Reverend J. E. Williams in 1938, and the church building was completed in 1939; and

Whereas, the church continued to grow and flourish under subsequent outstanding pastors; the new educational building was begun in 1957 and finished in 1958; and

Whereas, the present sanctuary was begun in the summer of 1964 and completed in January of 1965, at a cost of $70,000; the old pastorium was moved and a new one begun in 1973 and was dedicated May 13, 1974; in October, 1975, the church's name changed to Bath First Baptist Church; the sanctuary was renovated in 1979; Reverend Gene Jennings was called as pastor in August 1991, and he is the church's current pastor; and

Whereas, Bath First Baptist Church has had an outstanding history, has endured for one hundred years, and has played an important role in the life of the community for ten decades; and

Whereas, the church's centennial is a truly joyous occasion and merits special recognition. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, congratulates Bath First Baptist Church on the happy occasion of its one hundredth anniversary.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the members of Bath First Baptist Church in care of the Reverend Gene Jennings, pastor.