A house RESOLUTION

 

to congratulate the congregation of Bethlehem Baptist Church, College Place upon the celebration of its one hundred thirtieth anniversary of  ministry and service in its community.

 

Whereas, Bethlehem Baptist Church, College Place was founded in 1896 by descendants of enslaved people who gathered under a brush arbor to worship and proclaim the Gospel message, standing on the faithful truth of Romans 6:23: "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life"; and

 

Whereas, under the leadership of Reverend Elijah Johnson, the early congregation showed remarkable perseverance, worshiping until 1908, when land was purchased for fifty dollars from Mr. Henry Wiley, establishing the church on sacred ground and marking the beginning of its first fixed structure; and

 

Whereas, the rich heritage of Bethlehem is preserved in the historic cemetery located behind the church, where generations of faithful members rest, including early saints such as Sister Mary Bell Gadson and Deacon W. M. Corbett, whose birth dates reflect the era of slavery and whose lives stand as a testimony to endurance, faith, and devotion; and

 

Whereas, the early leadership of the church included dedicated servants such as Deacon Tony Anderson, chairman of the deacon board, along with Deacons Eff Anderson, Boyd Ruff, Perry, Henry Bell, Shack Gadson, and Dose Gadson, and devoted mother leaders: Sisters Fannie Anderson, Ida Gadson, Becky Wiley, Nancy Woodard, and Jane Bell, who nurtured the church's spiritual life; and

 

Whereas, Bethlehem Baptist Church has been faithfully shepherded by devoted pastors beginning with Reverend Elijah Johnson from 1908 to 1918, followed by Reverends Harry Corbitt, Eddie Gallman, Ben Kelly, and T. H. Hughes, each contributing to the spiritual growth and stability of the church; and

 

Whereas, in 1942, tragedy struck when the church building was destroyed by fire, yet the faith of the congregation remained steadfast. Through determination and unity the church was rebuilt beginning in 1943 under Reverend Hughes and completed during the leadership of Reverend Hightower. Bethlehem continued its journey of faith through the leadership of Reverends Rose, Clarence Harrell, Moses Thomas, M. J. Odom, L. Z. Chavis, and Edward Johnson, during whose tenure plans for an educational building were realized and completed in 1969; and

 

Whereas, a transformative era began in May 1969, with the pastoral leadership of Reverend C. A. Faulk, whose thirty-one years of faithful service saw remarkable spiritual growth. Physical growth was also seen in the construction of the present sanctuary, installation of a new baptismal pool, acquisition of additional properties, purchase of a church bus, and development of new ministries and mission circles; and

 

Whereas, under Reverend Faulk's leadership, many sons of the church answered the call to ministry: Reverends Augustus Rodgers, Bobby Ray Rice, Samuel P. Blanks, Eugene Gilbert, Moses Telford, Timothy Brown, Kenneth Spry, and Henry Spann Jr. After Reverend Faulk's death in 2000, the church continued strong in faith under the guidance of Dr. M. C. Fennell and Reverend Henry Spann Jr.; and

 

Whereas, in 2002, God blessed Bethlehem Baptist Church with the leadership of Reverend Dr. Anthony A. McCallum, whose pastoral ministry has emphasized discipleship, compassion, and holistic ministry and has established numerous ministries: for the hearing impaired, couples, veterans, mental health awareness, youth development, prayer, and Christian education; and

 

Whereas, through one hundred thirty years of worship, service, and ministry, Bethlehem Baptist Church has stood as a beacon of faith, hope, and resilience in the community, faithfully proclaiming the Gospel and serving generations of believers. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate the congregation of Bethlehem Baptist Church, College Place upon the celebration of its one hundred thirtieth anniversary of ministry and service in its community.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Dr. Anthony A. McCallum.

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