Edgewood Baptist Church - History

Brief Version -
(Excerpts from the 1938-1980 Printed Version of Edgewood Baptist History)

Edgewood Baptist Church started as Ward Memorial Baptist Church.  It was initiated through early meetings in the Boiling Springs (2 Room) School House where Sunday School and Church Services were being held.  After the school officials ruled that the schoolhouse could no longer be used for religious services, this group of eighteen charter members met on September 25, 1938.  They met under a large oak tree in the yard of Mr. Williams, the church was organized with 17 members. Services were held in the home of Edwin Painter until the first building was completed.  The building was dedicated during it's first service on March 5, 1939.  The small white frame building, located on a half acre of property donated by Mr. A.J.Ward, served as the church until our present sanctuary was built in 1950.

In 1950 the church name was changed from Ward Memorial to Boiling Springs Baptist Church.  Our present educational building was built in 1965, and dedicated the first Sunday in 1966.

On December 7, 1969, the church name was changed from Boiling Springs to Edgewood  Baptist Church.

Full Version -
(A WORK IN PROGRESS - "As God still blesses us and sees fit in His Mercy !" )
(Copied from the 1938-1980 Printed Version of Edgewood Baptist History)

Edgewood Baptist Church is a vivid testimony to the faith and dedication of a small group of God's people, who came together to provide a place to worship Him.

It was because the school officials ruled that the schoolhouse could no longer be used for religious services that this group of eighteen charter member met on September 25, 1938, in the yard at the nearby home of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Williams on Pelham Road, to organize what was originally called Ward Memorial Baptist Church.

For more than 25 years prior to this occasion, the people of our community had held Sunday School and Worship Services in the 2-room Boiling Springs Schoolhouse.  These services were under the leadership of several different preachers.  Among these was the late Rev. Ben Vaughn.  He was instrumental in helping to organize many Baptist Churches in this area, including Rock Hill Baptist  Church (now known as East North Street)  Others were: Rev. John Stepp; Rev. Otto Mitchell; Dr Farrell Runyan, who later became a foreign missionary; Dr Oliver Greene who became a nationally known evangelist; Rev. John Turner, father of Rev. Calvin Turner, Pastor of Holly Springs Baptist Church; and also Rev. J.H.H. Tooley, who became the first Pastor of our church.

The 18 charter members present at the organizational meeting included

• Rev. Tooley and his wife Addie Mae Tooley

• Mr. C.C. Jones and his wife Nellie Jones

• Mr. Lester Jones and his wife Mary Jones

• Miss Beatrice Jones

• Mr. Floyd Bramlett

• Mr. Lloyd Bramlett

• Mr. Austin  J. Ward and his wife Mrs. Emma Ward

• Mrs. Gertrude Greene

• Miss Dorothy Painter

• Miss Lucille Jones

• Miss Ruth Bramlett

• Mr. Edwin Painter and his wife Marie Painter

• Miss Pauline Bramlett

Because Mr. Ward had donated a half acre lot on which to locate the new church and cemetery, the new church was named Ward Memorial Baptist Church, a missionary Southern Baptist Church. Later the infant church adopted the Baptist Church Covenant.

Seeking the leadership of God, the new members began To raise money to build.

The first church building of Ward Memorial Baptist church was a small, one room, wood framed structure. The first lumber was delivered on December 14, 1938. The labor was contributed by the members, as well as many others from neighboring churches. Many of those who gave of their time soon became members of the new church. The people of Edgewood are very grateful and hold a special love for all those who gave so much support over the years.

During the construction of the new building, the church met in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Painter.  The building was completed with a total material cost of $558.58, and the first service was held on March 5, 1939. Rev. J.H.H. Tooley, our first pastor, conducted this service, and the church was filled. Open house was observed afterward, and dinner was served "on the grounds". Our first Sunday School was organized March 12, 1939, and Training Union followed later on September 10, 1939.

Fairview Baptist Church of the Greer Association came and assisted our leaders in further organization of the church. Our first Women's Missionary Union was organized on February 15, 1940 with Mrs. Mary Painter serving as the first president. The ladies of the WMU purchased and paid for our first piano in the church.

Under the leadership of Rev. Tooley, our church began to grow and go forward. At this point in time, we were holding halftime preaching services. This included the first & third Sunday mornings, & second & fourth Sunday nights. Our pastor's first salary was $2.00/week.

Our first deacons were Mr. C.C. Jones, Mr. Lester Jones, and Mr. Edwin Painter.  Our first pianist, who received no salary , was Mrs. Marie Painter.  Mr. Lonzo Greene served as our first janitor, and his duties included cleaning the building and building the fires in the coal burning heater.  His salary was $1.00/month, and he was responsible for furnishing his own kindling.  Our first church clerk was Mrs.  A. J. Ward.

Miss Dorothy Painter directed our first Christmas program in December 1939.  This first Christmas marked the beginning of our gifts of fruit and candy to the children of the church.

The Lord blessed our church during our first revival, which was led by Rev. James F "Duck" Finley.  Five new members came by baptism, and four by letter.  A love offering was taken and totaled $4.15.

Some interesting highlights of our first year as a new church are as follows:  Our church voted to give 5 percent of all offerings to the cooperative program; A typical light bill was $0.87/month;  Coal for the space heater cost $4.00/ton; In June of 1939, we paid $187.27 on the church loan, leaving $368.37 as the loan balance. 

Our Sunday School began to grow, and in June of 1939 we averaged 59 people in attendance.  The Women's Missionary Union enrollment in October of 1939, was 18 ladies.  These ladies worked hard and gave much of their time and talent to the church.  They gave $45.50 in offerings to be paid on the piano.

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