Church History

Rosemary Baptist Church was organized in the year 1880, with nine members coming out from Mt. Calvary Baptist church. Namely: Richard Walker, Moses Walker, Tob Fits, Hudley Williams, James Myrick, Angus Myrick, Grace Johnson, Paul Williams and Smart Myrick. All of these founders have gone on from labor to reward.

Since the Rosemary Baptist Church was organized, the church building has been destroyed and rebuilt three times. The first church building was destroyed by a storm, the second and third buildings were both destroyed by fire.

Rosemary Baptist Church has been served by seventeen pastors. Reverend Scott Kennedy, Reverend Albert Patterson, Reverend C. Griffin, Reverend S. J. Rice, Reverend T. F. Owens, Reverend W. B. Coleman, Reverend Hill Norris, Reverend John Lion, Reverend E. G. McMillian, Reverend M. B. Bush, Reverend B. S. Scott, Reverend William Rivers, Jr., Reverend Joseph S. Harrison, Sr., Reverend Aiken R. Ruth, Reverend Joseph Williams Sr., Reverend Curtis Govan, and the current Pastor Reverend Michael O'Neal.

Notable moments in history of Rosemary Baptist Church include:

Rev. W.M. Rivers, Jr. served faithfully for thirteen years before resigning on October 15, 1988
On January 7, 1989 Reverend Joseph S. Harrison, Sr. was called as pastor of Rosemary Baptist Church. His first sermon was taken from Job, chapter 1, verse 22, entitled, "If It Ain't One Thing It's Another."
In 1989 church services were increased to twice monthly, the first and third Sunday of each month. On April 16, 1989, we had our first third Sunday service. Reverend Harrison's text was taken from 3rd Samuel 11:27.
On December 3, 1989 Reverend J.S. Harrison ordained one deacon, Deacon William Bradley.
In 1990, Reverend Harrison re-organized the trustee ministry and installed nine trustees. They were as follows: Herculee Kirkland as chairman, Annie Bell Sanders, Johnny Boynton, O.J. Allen Jr., Harold Walker, Butch Myers, Gregory Cave, and Joe Creech. Trustees Herculee Kirkland, O. J. Allen, and Johnny Boynton have since been called home from time to reward, servants of god well done.
On September 1, 1991 one of God's death angels came and laid hands on the Moses that stood in this mountain, Reverend Joseph S. Harrison, Sr. He served Rosemary Baptist Church faithfully and diligently. He was a god send to us all.
On October 26, 1991 Reverend Aiken R. Ruth was called as pastor. His first sermon as pastor was preached on November 11, 1991 and his text was entitled, "Lord Is, It I?" Under Reverend Ruth's leadership the church continued to progress.
On March 22, 1995, Rosemary Baptist Church lost its Deacon Board Chairman of 58 years, Deacon S. J. Johnson, Sr. He was a Deacon at Rosemary Baptist Church for 63 years. Deacon Johnson served the church faithfully and diligently, servant of god well done.
On April 13, 1996, fire from the match of an arsonist gutted the old church building. Until October 1997 when we were blessed to have our worship services at the Mt Hope Baptist Church in Martin, South Carolina.
On October 4, 1997 dedication services for the new Rosemary Baptist Church building were held. The congregation marched into the sanctuary for the first time singing, "We've Come This Far by Faith." The first scriptures were as follows: form the Old Testament, Psalm 121 and from the New Testament 1 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 9 and chapter 5 verse 1. The first prayer was done by Reverend George Thompson. The Reverend Morris Stimage-Norwood, Pastor of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church, of Springfield Massachusetts preached the first sermon. His sermon was taken from Ephesians 2:19.
On May 29, 1998 Reverend A. R. Ruth's tenure as pastor of Rosemary Baptist Church ended.
On April 20, 1999 Reverend Joseph Williams Sr. Was called as pastor of Rosemary Baptist Church. He preached his first sermon as pastor on June 6, 1999. His text was taken from 2 Kings 20:1-5 and his sermon was entitled "I Know What Prayer Can Do".
On April 4, 2000 Reverend Joseph Williams, Sr. resigned as pastor of Rosemary Baptist Church.
On May 21, 2000 Reverend Curtis Govan was called as pastor of Rosemary Baptist Church. He preached his first sermon as pastor on June 4, 2000. His text was taken from Luke 5:4-5 and his sermon was entitled "Never Gonna Give Up". Under Reverend Govan's leadership the church continued to progress.
On March 11, 2001 Deacon Tony Allen preached his initial sermon at Rosemary Baptist Church and became the son of the house. Minister Allen's text was from St. Matthew 25:31-34 and the title of his sermon was "Will You Be Ready When Jesus Comes?"
On September 16, 2001 the Rosemary Church family was blessed with a daughter of the house, Reverend Virgie Cohen.
On October 23, 2001 Reverend Curtis Govan resigned as pastor of the Rosemary Baptist Church.
On August 18, 2002 Reverend Michael O'Neal was called as pastor of Rosemary Baptist Church. He preached his first sermon as pastor on September 1, 2002. His text was taken from Mark 4:1-8 and his sermon was entitled "You Gonna Reap What You Sow."
In 2003 Rosemary became a full time church. The first service was held on Sunday September 7, 2003.
Under Rev. O'Neal's leadership, in the year of our Lord, 2004, God blessed Rosemary with three Daughters of the House and four trustees were ordained as deacons. ~ On February 8, 2004 Sister Sarah C. Perkins preached her initial sermon, her text was taken from Colossians 2:6-7 and the subject was "Walk In Him". ~ On March 14, 2004 Sister Vivian Cohen preached her initial sermon, her text was taken from first Corinthians 9:8-18 and the subject was "Have You Heard From Heaven Lately?" ~ On March 28, 2004 Trustee Garneita W. Myers preached her initial sermon, her text was taken from Exodus 3:7-14 and the subject was "The Great I am". ~ On May 23, 2004 four trustees were ordained as deacons, Trustee Donald Cave, Trustee Eric Myers, Trustee John Holston, and Trustee Butch Myers.
On January 22, 2006, Sister Sasha Collins preached her initial sermon. Her text was taken from Matthew 19:16 and her sermon title was "Salvation is Free, But It Will Cost You."
On May 27, 2006, the Rosemary Church Family was blessed with a new Son and Daughter of the House, Min. Edward C and Evangelist Shanell Mintz.
On May 27, 2006, the Rosemary Church Family was blessed with another Daughter of the House, Elder Linda Greene.
In 2008, God blessed Rosemary with two more Daughter of the House and two new Trustees were installed.
On June 27, 2008, Sis. Linda Priester preached her initial sermon. Her text was taken from Mark 5:25-29, 34 and her subject was "Your Faith Can Make You Whole."
On August 31, 2008, Sis. Katherine R. Hutto preached her initial sermon. Her text was taken from St. John 14:1-7 and her subject was "I Am."
In 2008, Bro. Kenny Saunders and Bro. Carl Brown were installed as Trustees.
In 2009, God blessed Rosemary with another Son of the House and five new Trustees were installed.
On May 2, 2009, Dea. Jimmy Perkins preached his initial sermon. His text was taken from I Corinthians 9:24-25 and his subject was "Running to Win."
In 2009, five Trustees were installed: Sis. Rena Brown, Sis. Deborah Owens, Bro. Jamie Robinson, Bro. Tim Sims and Bro. Michael Wright.
Rosemary Baptist Church has had twenty-three deacons to serve. James Myrick, Frank Myrick, Smart Myrick, Riley Walker, Author McPherson, Tom Myers, John Myers, John James Kirkland, Brooks Kirkland, Herbert Walker, Sammy Moye, Johnny Bryant, Charlie Wiggins, Herman Cave, Eli Myers Sr., Joe Lee Walker, William Bradley, Tony Allen, Jimmy Perkins, Donald Cave, Eric Myers, Butch Myers, and John Holston, fifteen of these deacons are deceased and gone on from time to reward.
Rosemary Baptist church has had seven clerks to serve, James Myrick, Angus Myrick, Lonnie Priester, Frank Myrick, Eli Myers, Sr., Eric Myers, and Alicia Davis. Five of them are deceased and gone on from time to reward. Deacon Eli Myers, Sr. served for 43 years then resigned his position in 1981 to Deacon Eric Myers. Deacon Eric Myers served as Church Clerk for 29 years before accepting his current position as Financial Clerk.

All praise and honor to God who has added to the church daily as should be saved. Rosemary has gained members through baptism, Christian experience, letter, and restoration.

Current officers of the Rosemary Baptist Church are as follows: Pastor Reverend Michael O'Neal, Chairman of Deacons: Deacon Butch Myers, Deacon William Bradley, Deacon Eric Myers and Deacon Donald Cave.