40 Years at Spring Valley Baptist Church
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40 Years At Spring Valley Baptist Church Prior to Spring Valley Baptist Church being constituted • O n April 11, 1911, First Baptist Church of Columbia established a mission church by the name of Tabernacle Baptist Church located on Gregg Street. In 1955 Tabernacle Baptist saw a need for change and relocated to northeast Columbia and renamed itself North Trenholm Baptist Church. In 1978 North Trenholm Baptist established a mission church by the name of Spring Valley Baptist Mission. • June 1977 North Trenholm Baptist Church purchased 37.57 acres on Polo Road. November 30, 1980 fifteen acres were deeded to Spring Valley Baptist Church and the remaining 22.57 acres were later sold at a price that more then covered the cost of the land donated to Spring Valley Baptist Church. • On July 6, 1978 Thursday night neighborhood Bible studies were began in the homes of Ken and Diane Mylander; James and Donna Berry; Vonzo and Ann Graham; and at Roy-Jan (a cabin beside a pond in the Wildewood area). • On October 1, 1978 the mission church held its first Sunday morning services at Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School on Brickyard Road. Eighty (80) persons attended Sunday School with more attending the worship service. • James Berry was the first Youth Director. • The first youth activity for the mission was a Halloween party at Howard and Shirley Sanders’ home followed by a haunted house at James and Donna Berry’s. • The first youth retreat for the mission was at Folly Beach with 18 youth attending. Chaperones were James Berry, Harold Driver, Howard and Shirley Sanders. • On June 3, 1979 the mission moved to Spring Valley High School on Sparkleberry Lane. The Little Theatre with its stage and raised seating area served as the sanctuary. • The Women’s Missionary Union was organized October 16, 1979 by twelve ladies meeting in the home of Virginia Rose. Mary O’Connor and Shirley Sanders served as leaders. • On December 2, 1979 the first child was born to the mission. He was Thomas Leslie Berry, son of Donna and James Berry. Information from Church Minutes/10th Anniversary/The Voice Page 1 40 Years At Spring Valley Baptist Church • January 1980 the mission church choir was formed. The members were Donna Berry, Harold Driver, Wilma Griggs, Michelle Griggs, Jim Griggs, Linda Harrigan, Joe Harrigan, Sabra Rabon, Andy Rabon, and John Way. Ron Lawrence was Music Director. • Early choir practices were held at Ron Lawrence’s house and later at Roy-Jan’s. • On July 20, 1980 Rev. Wilson Nelson was called to be the pastor of Spring Valley Baptist Mission. Then on November 30, 1980 the church voted Rev. Nelson in as the first pastor of Spring Valley Baptist Church. • After a lot of discussion the decision to name the mission Spring Valley Baptist was voted on August 10, 1980. Some names considered were Heritage, Polo Road, Wildewood, and Northeast Baptist Mission. • In October, 1980 Girls in Action, Mission Friends, and an evening Baptist Women’s group were organized. Shirley Sanders, Carrie Holdford let the WMU; Mary Winn Nelson directed GA’s and Barbara Elgin began Mission Friends. Acteens began in the spring of 1981 under the direction of Polly Lucas and Tish Clonts. Spring Valley Baptist Church – Constituted November 30, 1980 • The Spring Valley Baptist Mission sponsored by North Trenholm Baptist Church was officially constituted Spring Valley Baptist Church on Sunday, November 30, 1980 at 3:30 p.m. in the Little Theatre of Spring Valley High School with a charter membership of 116. 1981 • The first business conference since constituting was held on January 18, 1981. Chuck Robinson was the Church Moderator. • The church had monthly Church Conferences until January 1988. • The first annual budget of $111,000 was adopted in March 1981. Howard Sanders was the first Treasurer. Information from Church Minutes/10th Anniversary/The Voice Page 2 40 Years At Spring Valley Baptist Church • The first regular body of deacons was James Berry, Chuck Robinson, Hugh Ryall, Howard Sanders, John Way and Hilmon Young. • A prayer vigil for the church, its building program, and ministries was held on Friday night through Sunday morning in March 1981. Prayer was vital to the development of the building plans of the church. • Mike Griggs became the first part-time Minister of Youth and Music in May 1981. • Michelle Griggs was the first pianist beginning in May 1981. • Spring Valley recommended Sonny Rogerson for license to the gospel ministry in June, 1981. Later he served as a missionary to Israel along with his wife, Sissy. • The first Vacation Bible School after the church was constituted was June 15 – 19, 1981 and met at Roy-Jan’s. Shirley Sanders was director. • July 1981 the church decided to begin to build the first permanent building. The Building Committee was Hugh Ryall, Jack Burch, Gayle Davis, Wilma Nye, and James Smith. • On September 20, 1981 ground was broken for the first permanent building. • The cost to build the first permanent building was $293,354. • In October 1981 church training was organized by Mike Clonts, Joe Harrigan and Chip Wood. • In October 1981, Kathy Wood started the first Baptist Young Women group. • December 1981 the first church secretary’s position was approved for fifteen (15) hours per week at the rate of pay of $4.00 per hour. 1982 • Easter sunrise service was held on the site of Polo Road in 1982. • The church budget for fiscal year April 1, 1982 – March 31, 1983 was $163,780. Information from Church Minutes/10th Anniversary/The Voice Page 3 40 Years At Spring Valley Baptist Church • Several churches aided in furnishing the new building. Bayview Baptist donated 50 chairs, Kilbourne Park donated 75 and North Trenholm loaned 160. North Trenholm also donated their old organ, which was not replaced until February 1989. • Alfon Strickland built the pulpit, altar table, and cribs for the nursery. • James Smith built the cabinet work for the pastor’s study. • Ed Smith and Jack Burch did grading work. • Cliff and Connie Bodiford donated a large piece of playground equipment which was used until 1989. • Deborah Thigpen was called as the first full-time Minister of Education and Youth beginning July 1, 1982. • July 1982 the first wedding of Spring Valley Baptist Church was Charlene Northcut’s wedding. • The original worship center was finally occupied on July 18, 1982. • In July 1982 the first Youth Advisory Committee was approved. Members were James Berry, Doug Hollifield, Betty Stinette and Diane Mylander. • Church membership numbered 279 by the time of the building dedication in September 1982. • The church’s first revival, led by Rev. Jim Royston, was held September 26-29, 1982. • Ann Steed served as the organist from the time the building was completed until 1985. • Sue Lambert started work on October 4, 1982 as the first full-time secretary. • The Youth Choir presented the musical “Backpacker Suite” on October 24, 1982. • The first Spring Valley Baptist Church Cookbook went on sale in October 1982 for $5.00. All proceeds went to missions action work. Information from Church Minutes/10th Anniversary/The Voice Page 4 40 Years At Spring Valley Baptist Church • Average attendance for Sunday School for October 1982 was 232. • Jim Rodgers was the first Brotherhood Director; Joe Steed the chairman of Finance Committee; Ronnie Horton and Donna Tinsley were on the Building Committee; Mable Robinson and Jimmy Golden were on the Personnel Committee; Harold Driver on the Ad Hoc Sub-committee to procure and promote the financing of the first building; Wilma Griggs was the first Church Clerk; Mike Clonts was Church Training Director • Some of the first equipment requested for the office was: 1. Royal Correcting Typewriter; a chair; and a typewriter table. Costing $1,137.93. • On December 7, 1982 the ladies of the Baptist Women’s group met and exchanged their favorite cookie/recipes. • December 1982, the Children’s Choir presented “Peace on Earth”. • The Adult Choir presented “Heaven Rejoices” on December 12, 1982. • On December 31, 1982, Christmas Eve, the church was opened from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. for personal and family worship, meditation and communion. One of the deacons or the pastor served the Lord’s Supper. 1983 • As of January 16, 1983 total church membership was 293. • February 4-5, 1983 was the Adult Retreat at White Oak Conference Center near Winnsboro, SC. Bud Thurber led the retreat in “Family Enrichment through discovering Ourselves and our Special Gifts”. • The first Family Night Dinner was held February 16, 1983. Then the third Wednesday night of the month. • As of February 20, 1983 total church membership was 307. • Family Night Suppers on Wednesday evenings before Prayer Service began in February 1983. Information from Church Minutes/10th Anniversary/The Voice Page 5 40 Years At Spring Valley Baptist Church • Revival was held March 20-23, 1983; quest speaker was Rev. Earl Crumpler, pastor of Edwards Road Baptist Church, Greenville, SC. Music was led by Ken and Betsy Reid. • Spring Valley Baptist had both men and women softball teams in the spring 1983. Games were played at Pontiac Softball Complex. • The wooden cross at the front of the sanctuary was made and donated by Joe Harrigan in early 1983. • The Adult Choir presented an Easter Cantata “It Took a Miracle” on March 27, 1983. • On April 3, 1983 the Easter Sunrise Service with other Community churches was held in the parking lot of Spring Valley Baptist Church. • Extended Session for 4, 5, and 6 year olds began April 10, 1983. Andrea Watson was the director. • Vacation Bible School was held June 20-24, 1984.