A History of Gilead Baptist Church
Gilead Baptist Church, located about one-half mile outside the town limits of Jonesville, South Carolina, was organized on September 27, 1804 by a group of members from the Fairforest Baptist Church in Union County. The first fifteen years of its existence were difficult for the church. Gilead was served occasionally by different ministers until about 1819. Rev. Elias Mitchell was the first pastor. In the year 1819, the church has so declined until it was dissolved and the members joined other churches.Later in that same year, a renewed interest in the church arose under the leadership of Rev. Elias Mitchell. On November 13, 1819, a meeting was called again at Gilead Church. Brother Thomas Grear was appointed moderator and it was decided that the church should be reorganized. A committee for reorganization was composed of Grear, McDougal and Mitchell.
Under the leadership of Rev. Mitchell and Rev. Ambrose Ray, the church was put on a solid foundation. In 1823, Gilead became a member of the Bethel Association. Rev. Elias Mitchell continued to serve the church as pastor until his death.
There was nothing on record in an orderly fashion until March 17, 1838. On this day a meeting of the church was called by Reverends Ambrose Ray and Elijah Ray. However, there was nothing prepared to come before the church. The meeting was adjourned until April 14, 1838. On this day the church met again and Rev. Ray agreed to supply preach during the summer and fall of 1838. At this time, the church had a membership of twenty-seven – two white male members, John Hames and James Whirter, nine white female members and sixteen Negro members.
In 1846, Gilead joined the Broad River Baptist Association and claimed a total membership of 71. By 1876, the churches in Union County formed the Union County Baptist Association and Gilead joined this new Association.
The original church building was a long structure of logs. Old records stated that in one given year the pastor's salary was $10 in money, 15 bushels of corn and 2 gallons of corn whiskey. In 1868 the church membership was listed as 94, with B. Bonner as pastor. By the year 1882 Rev. J. E. Burgess was pastor and the membership was still 94. The deacons were Thomas Foster and Thomas J. Fowler. J. L. Ward served as church clerk.
In 1900, while Rev. C. F. Felmet was pastor, a new frame building consisting of only an auditorium was constructed. During 1937-1938, Rev. H. Haydock, one of the most loved men who ever served as pastor, led the church to build 4 new classrooms. The church membership roll was revised on November 21, 1937. There were 62 active male members and 65 active female members, making a total of 127 active members.
In 1948 the church received a new look. The building was remodeled and enlarged. The exterior was brick veneered and the interior renovated, adding four additional classrooms, a baptistery, new pews, carpeting, and an electric organ. The new baptistery brought an end to the use of the baptismal pool across the road from the church in the wooded area near a spring.
In 1900, while Rev. C. F. Felmet was pastor, a new frame building consisting of only an auditorium was constructed. During 1937-1938, Rev. H. Haydock, one of the most loved men who ever served as pastor, led the church to build 4 new classrooms. The church membership roll was revised on November 21, 1937. There were 62 active male members and 65 active female members, making a total of 127 active members.
In 1948 the church received a new look. The building was remodeled and enlarged. The exterior was brick veneered and the interior renovated, adding four additional classrooms, a baptistery, new pews, carpeting, and an electric organ. The new baptistery brought an end to the use of the baptismal pool across the road from the church in the wooded area near a spring.
Hundreds of Gilead church members were baptized in the old pool across the road. The Rev. Ralph Gilliam was pastor during the rime of this remodeling program.
On January 2, 1954, this building was completely destroyed by fire. Church services were held in the Jonesville High School auditorium until a new church building could be constructed. Plans were approved and construction began immediately to build a new building, consisting of an auditorium, two assembly rooms, fourteen classrooms, pastor's study and two dressing rooms leading to the baptistery. The first service was held in the new building on the first Sunday in August, 1954. The new building was valued at $50,000.00. The Rev. Paul Moore was the pastor at this time.
Christmas Day, 1955, the church took action to build a pastorium. This pastorium, the first for the church, was completed on June 20, 1956. It was a brick house consisting of six rooms. The Rev. Dean Simpson and his family were the first to live in the church’s new pastorium. By 1960, the church had grown considerably and a modern, three-story educational building was built while the Rev. C. Raymond Wilson was pastor.
The Rev. Eugene Franklin and the Rev. J.L. McCluney were both men who continued to lead the church forward in the Lord's work. Rev. McCluney's ministry lasted eight years during which time all church debts were paid in full and plans for renovations and improvements were made for all church buildings. Rev. William C. Adams followed Rev. McCluney as pastor in June of 1971. His ministry lasted for three and one-half years.
On March 23, 1975, Rev. Joseph H. Stover began his duties as pastor of Gilead. May 29, 1978, the church broke ground for another pastorium. This one is also brick veneered and consists of ten rooms. It was completed on October 24, 1978, and was first occupied by Rev. Stover and his family.
Gilead has the distinction of licensing and sending four brothers into the Baptist ministry. The Long brothers, Henry, Walter and Wardlaw (who were identical twins) and Garis, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Long. All became ministers.
The Rev. Eugene Franklin and the Rev. J.L. McCluney were both men who continued to lead the church forward in the Lord's work. Rev. McCluney's ministry lasted eight years during which time all church debts were paid in full and plans for renovations and improvements were made for all church buildings. Rev. William C. Adams followed Rev. McCluney as pastor in June of 1971. His ministry lasted for three and one-half years.
On March 23, 1975, Rev. Joseph H. Stover began his duties as pastor of Gilead. May 29, 1978, the church broke ground for another pastorium. This one is also brick veneered and consists of ten rooms. It was completed on October 24, 1978, and was first occupied by Rev. Stover and his family.
Gilead has the distinction of licensing and sending four brothers into the Baptist ministry. The Long brothers, Henry, Walter and Wardlaw (who were identical twins) and Garis, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Long. All became ministers.
Rev. H. Lawton Neely became the pastor of the church in December 2001. Under his leadership the church began a video outreach ministry to the homebound as well as purchasing both a new organ and a new bus. Also, in September of 2004, the church underwent a complete renovation of all of its facilities.
Some of the Pastors who have served Gilead Baptist Church during the past 202 years are:
1838 - Rev. Ambrose Ray
1877-1878 - Rev. W.M. Foster
1879-1887 - Rev. J.E. Burgess
1888 - Rev. J. G. Carter
1892 - Rev. A.D. Davidson
1895 - Rev. J.P. Whelchel
1900-1904 - Rev. C.F. Felmet
1907 - Rev. Lowery
1916-1922 - Rev. C.F. Felmet
1922-1923 - Rev. J.P. Felmet
1924 - Rev. F.W. Haynie
1927 - Rev. N.A. Hemrick
1928 - Dr. W.M. Wilson
1929 - The Long Brothers
1930 - Rev. J.L. Willis
1930-1949 - Rev. H. Haydock
1949-1952 - Rev. Ralph Gilliam
1952-1955 - Rev. Paul Moore
1955-1958 - Rev. Dean Simpson
1958-1961 - Rev. C. Raymond Wilson
1962-Rev. Eugene Franklin
1963-1971 - Rev. J. L. McCluney
1971-1974 - Rev. William C. Adams
1975-1995 - Rev. Joseph H. Stover
1996-1999 - Rev. Terry H. Candler
2001-Present - Rev. H. Lawton Neely
