On July 12, 1964, five laymen—E. Whitson Brooks, Ray Flemming, Walter McKinney, O. S. Hillman, and Glenn S.
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The Founders |
Hedgecock—informally discussed the possibility of organizing and establishing a new church in the Forest Acres area of Columbia. At the second meeting a week later, the enthusiasm was so great that an organizational meeting was planned. On July 31st with 26 families represented, a steering committee was elected for the purpose of organizing a new church and securing a place for worship.
The first service of Kathwood Baptist Church was held at Timmerman School on Covenant Road on August 30, 1964. 109
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Kathwood's first service at
Timmerman School |
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people were present for Sunday School and worship. The visiting minister was Rev. Shaylor Walters, Director of the Training Union of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. On September 22, 1964, a Charter of Incorporation was awarded to the church by the state of South Carolina. The new Constitution and By-Laws were discussed and adopted by church vote on October 25. The church took an option on seven acres of land at 4900 Trenholm Road in December of 1964 and completed the property purchase on June 11, 1965.
Dr. Richard S. Brannon, Pastor of Huffman Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, was called as Kathwood’s first minister. His ministry extended from February 1, 1965 until April of 1970.
In April of 1965, the church moved its services to Crayton School on Clemson Avenue. By this point, Kathwood had grown to 155 in Sunday School and 107 in Training Union. On May 16th of that year, Kathwood Baptist was officially constituted as a church and was accepted into the Fairfield Baptist Association (now the Columbia Metro Association) on October 13, 1966.
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Kathwood in the late 1960's |
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The church held its first service at the present location at 4900 Trenholm Road on October 8, 1967. From 1964-70, Kathwood was characterized by dedicated Christians united in a common goal—building a new church. Enthusiasm and growth were high.
From 1971-75, a leveling off began to occur; but in 1976, the church was marked by decline both in membership and in contributions. The church struggled but survived the 1980s and, in June of 1990, issued the call to Phillip E. Reynolds, the fifth minister to hold the position of Pastor of Kathwood Baptist Church.
Growth slowly emerged and projects were begun. In the early 90’s, the church purchased an organ, remodeled the sanctuary and installed an elevator. In 1995, several donors paid the balance of the original mortgage. The church was without debt and began to look toward the future.
In 1994 the Church Council established a Mission Statement Task Force. The statement was adopted that year and has guided the church body in ministry until the present. In 1996-97, the Denominational Relations Committee led the church in re-evaluating the ties beyond the local community. Kathwood Baptist Church is now affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
An exciting building project was approved in 1996 and included kitchen and bathroom renovations, a roof upgrade, breezeway and foyer enclosure, and the construction of a bell tower and porte-cochere. Pledges were made to support the project and the renovated building was rededicated on Sunday, January 25, 1998.
After a brief period of transition and having decided upon their future direction as a congregation, the membership of Kathwood Baptist called Reverend Kevin M. Roberts as their new pastor. He began his current ministry in December 2004.
