A house RESOLUTION

TO CELEBRATE THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDRED SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MACEDONIA MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH AND TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR THE CONGREGATION FOR THE CHURCH'S YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE DARLINGTON COMMUNITY.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its one hundred and sixtieth anniversary on February 11, 2026; and

Whereas, Macedonia Baptist Church was established on February 11, 1866, under the dynamic leadership of Reverend I.P. Brockenton, an ex-slave from Lee County, assisted by Dr. Charles Henry Corey, a white Northern Baptist Missionary and Reverend James Hamilton, a Black pastor from Philadelphia, who together procured thirteen charter members from the First Baptist Church in Darlington to withdraw their membership to form a new congregation; and

Whereas, the new church started by meeting beneath brush arbors and in homes before a permanent structure could be built. In December of 1866, Reverend Brockenton, along with the trustees, purchased land and an old house for the sum of three hundred dollars, and a house of worship was constructed on a portion of the property, which would serve as the church for nearly 70 years. The church's present site was acquired in 1922, and a new house of worship was first occupied on it in 1935; and

Whereas, in addition to Reverend Brockenton, who served Macedonia for 42 years (1866-1908), the following pastors have helped shepherd the congregation into the third decade of the twenty-first century: Reverend P.A. Callaham (1908-1916), Dr. James E. Kirkland (1916-1920), Dr. Charles DuBois Hubert (1920-1925), Dr. H.W. Long (1927-1945), Reverend Dr. C.L. Bowens (1945-1990), Reverend Donald L. Hughes (1990-2008), and Reverend Dr. Cecil L. Bromell (2009-2022). Reverend Omar Hilton currently serves as the church's associate pastor and is supported by two associates, Reverend Wesley Blathers and Minister Diane Hall; and

Whereas, among many milestones of the church's history, the significant physical and other improvements during Rev. Bowens' tenure are notable, which included the completion and decoration of the edifice, central heating installation, the completion of dining and church school spaces, the creation of the nursery and video ministry, the installation of elevators, a sanctuary remodel, and the provision of musical instruments and restroom facilities, all of which were a catalyst for positive change in Macedonia. Also, under Rev. Hughes' leadership, the church renewed its focus on education and child well-being in numerous ways, including the establishment of Macedonia Life Skills 501(c)(3) to enable Macedonia to qualify for various grants to help better serve the youth and the disadvantaged within the church and community, the offering of Bible studies and a Christian education ministry, the development of mentoring programs, an emergency food pantry, USDA monthly food distributions for the community, a summer feeding and enrichment program for community children, and a Saturday morning tutoring program for public school children; and

Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives commend Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, in Darlington, for over a century and a half of ministry in and service to the community and extend their 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 sixtieth anniversary of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and congratulate and honor the congregation for the church's years of dedicated service to the Darlington community.

----XX----