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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 time 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.
Under Reverend W. M Rivers Jr., the church progressed with improvements to the
old church building. These included two new restrooms, a fellowship hall and a
pastor’s study. New windows were purchased with funding from a grant. Reverend
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.” Under Reverend Harrison’s
leadership the church continued to grow both spiritually and physically.
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. Trustee Eli Roberts was added to the trustee ministry, “Servant of
God, Well Done”. In 1992, a handicap ramp was installed and church wards were
re-established. In 1993 a new ceiling was installed, and one new was added
deacon, Deacon Tony Allen came to the church through letter. New improvements to
the old church building included; handicap modifications to the restrooms in
1994, and another new roof.
On March 22, 1995, Rosemary Baptist Church lost its 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 Mount Hope Baptist church in Martin, South Carolina. In 1997 the
congregation selected Trustee Donald Cave to the trustee ministry.
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, in Springfield
Massachusetts preached the first sermon. His sermon was taken from Ephesians
2:19. In 1998 Deacon Jimmy Perkins was ordained and Sis. Garneita Myers was
added to the trustee ministry. 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. Two new trustees
were added to the trustee ministry, namely: Ray Garrick and John Holston.
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.” Under Reverend O’Neal’s leadership the church has continued to grow.
In 2003 Rosemary became a full time church. The first service was held on Sunday
September 7, 2003. 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 six clerks to serve, James Myrick, Angus Myrick,
Lonnie Priester, Frank Myrick, Eli Myers, Sr., and Eric Myers. 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 the current clerk, Deacon Eric
Myers.
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 the Deacon Jimmy Perkins, Deacon William Bradley,
Deacon Eric Myers, Deacon John Holston, Deacon Butch Myers, and Deacon Donald
cave and honorary Deacon Joe L. Walker.
Trustees:
Chairman- Ray Garrick
Annie Bell Sanders
Gregory Cave
Joe Creech
Harold Walker
Willie Pettway
Catherine Geter
Also under Reverend O’Neal’s leadership, in the year of our Lord 2004, God
blessed Rosemary with three daughters of the house, four trustees were ordained
as Deacons and one new Trustee was installed.
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.
Also under Reverend O’Neal’s leadership, in 2004 Brother Willie Pettway was
installed as a trustee and on April 25th 2005 Catherine Geter was installed as a
trustee.
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