Establishment

Though the exact date of establishment is not known, we know that members of the community were meeting for church services even before there was a church building. According to property records, land was donated to establish a church in 1858. An old newspaper article from 1981 states the church was established in 1862. The Orangeburg Baptist Association first listed Beaver Creek as a member of their organization in 1877, and in that document it states that Beaver Creek was newly constituted. The Orangeburg Baptist Association continued to report that the church was organized in 1877 until 1925 when it started reporting an organized date of 1885. In 1952, the Orangeburg Baptist Association Minutes began to report an organized date of 1949. We know that the church has burned three times in it’s history, and the church did close for a brief period of time which would explain the changing dates of establishment. Each time the church was revived, and it continues to thrive today.

Land Donated

It has been said that Mariah Chavis and Rebecca Hughes gave one acre of land each for the church and cemetery. However, on February 5, 1957, The Times & Democrat newspaper ran an article that one of the oldest property titles to be recorded in the office of Clerk of Court J.K. Westbury was brought in and re-recorded. This title was originally signed on December 16, 1858 and recorded on September 28, 1859. The title states that Mary A. Livingston donated “one acre for the purpose of erecting thereon a building to be called Beaver Creek Baptist Church.” (Note: This document is most likely why many agree the church was established in 1858.) Also recorded February 2, 1957, Morgan Hughes granted two acres of land for a place of worship and burial ground on July 24, 1896.

The 1st Building

Just as the established date remains in question, so does the actual building. There are two descriptions of the first building used by the church. The first description has been handed down through oral tradition, while the other description was found on the Works Progress Administration Survey documents. It is possible that the log building existed before the wood frame building described in the WPA document, or it could be that they are the same building.

Log Building

Muddy Springs, as Beaver Creek was originally called, began as a small log building near a spring of water. The spring was the headwaters of Little Beaver Creek, and it was dug out so the mules and horses that carried people to the church could be watered. The spring was also used as a Baptismal pool. Services were usually held once a month and usually lasted all day, so families would bring their dinner with them. As church membership grew, George Washington Chavis Sr. was said to be instrumental in enlarging the log structure.

Wood Frame

In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration recorded the following: Rev. John Hayden felt that people in the locality needed a church, so he helped to build it with his own hands. He walked fifteen miles to preach to them and the only pay he received was a pair of socks that a member of the congregation knitted for him. The first church was a wood frame that was used from 1885-1917. (Note: The established date listed on this document is 1885, not 1858 as the property title suggests.)

Rebuilt 1917

In the 1930’s, the Works Progress Administration recorded the following: The first church was a wood frame that was used from 1885-1917. (Note: The established date listed here is 1885, not 1858.) In 1917, the church was torn down and rebuilt due to dilapidation. In the 1930’s, the rebuilt church was described as an unpainted, rectangular frame building with two front doors, no belfry or porch. The interior had slat benches with a seating capacity of 200. The land consisted of two acres which included a cemetery. The church was valued at $200 and the land at $1800. The combined value totaling $2000. Membership was at 28, and the church was listed in poor condition and rent by much dissension. The photo below was taken in 1946 and shows the church that was rebuilt in 1917.

New Members in 1925

In July of 1925, Beaver Creek welcomed 14 new members when Rev. P.W. Hughes was pastor.

The Fire of 1949

In March of 1949, Beaver Creek burned to the ground. Less than a week later, a tent was erected so that services could continue until the church could be rebuilt. That June, the new church building was nearing completion as a revival took place. The church was completed and dedicated in October that same year.

Rebuilt 1949

The church was rebuilt with cement block and had bricks on the front and is shown in the photo below.

The Fire of 1981

The church burned February 22, 1981. The fired destroyed the sanctuary and all of its contents. Sunday, May 31, 1981 signaled the formal rebuilding of the church. The new building was dedicated on Sunday, May 2, 1982. (Note: The following article states that the church was established in 1862.) To learn more about this fire, click here!

Rebuilt 1981

The photo below shows the church as it existed after the fire of 1981 before it had a steeple.

2022

The photo below shows the church as it looked on March 5, 2022. It had a black roof and black porch rails.

Special Thanks

Without the help of many people, this website and the historical timeline of the church would not be possible. The church would like to thank Pastor Randy Sargent for allowing this project and website to come to fruition. Special thanks to Crystal Davis-Kinard for conducting research, interviewing persons of interest, and organizing all of the information shown on this website. Lastly, we would like to thank those who provided additional information and resources: Anna Wilson-Stillwell of South Carolina Baptist Convention, Barry Chavis, Rev. Wilton Gleaton, Richard Gleaton, Belinda Gleaton, Mary Torrence, Elizabeth “Betty” Williamson, Shelby Rutland, and John Sharpe.