HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH
Mrs. Lucy Mellette Nettles wrote the following history of Wedgefield Baptist Church in the late 1960's.
The only early record available was given by Mrs. Peter Mellette (Eunice Cain Mellette), a charter member at the 50th Anniversary Homecoming in 1935. Mrs. Mellette related these facts that one day Mrs. Phoebe Joyner was visiting in her home and they were discussing the need of forming a Baptist Church in the Wedgefield community. While they were talking Mr. Peter Mellette walked into the room and heard their conversation. He was so interested that he offered to give $50.00 toward the church building and with that small beginning a start was made toward organizing a Baptist Church. The first gathering of the few Baptists was held on the railroad depot platform where the Rev. Noah Graham conducted services for the little group in 1881. The church was formally organized in the Methodist Church sanctuary and was used as a temporary meeting place for the fourteen charter members: L.D. Johnson, W.E. James, H.C. Strange, H.J. Strange, Peter Mellette, Eunice Cain lV1ellette, J.A. Harvin, W.J.C. Geddings, Phoebe Joyner, Mary Moore, Eva Strange, E.J. Johnson. W.B. James and JA Harvin were elected deacons and L.D. Johnson, clerk. Rev. F.C. Hickson was called as the first pastor. Initial plans were made toward erecting a church building, and the story from that time until the completion of the building in 1885 is filled with sacrifices and arduous labor by the small faithful group. Mrs. Phoebe Joyner offered land for the erection of the church building, but Mr. James H. Aycock, a large plantation owner, asked to have the church erected on his property, and so the congregation accepted his offer. Among the contributions given was a railroad car of lumber from the Alderman Lumber Company in Alcolu.
In 1886, the Santee Association held its 10th session as guests of the new Wedgefield Baptist Church. It is interesting to note that Miss Lou Allen, a member of the High Hills Church, was seated asa member of this body, and that she was the first woman to be accorded this privilege in a Baptist Church in South Carolina.
The following ministers have served as pastors:
The following ministers have served as pastors: Rev. F.C. Hickson, Rev. Noah Graham, W.L. Ball, and M. Bishop working under the State Board prior to the formal organization, B.C. Lamphey, E.E. Ayers, R.P. Galphin, D.W. Hiott, Jessie Ayers, Thomas H. Edwards, Louis Bristow, Thomas P. Lide, William Haynsworth, J. H. Darr, Miller Jackson, Maynard Allen and Paul Kok. Peter Mellette served as Sunday School Superintendent for 25 years, succeeded by W. H. Ramsey who served from 1905 until his death in 1944. He was succeeded by Mrs. E.W. Nettles, the daughter of Peter Mellette. The present officers are: R.E. Hodge, C.J. Gulledge, D.R. Young, Earl M. Ramsey and J. Frank Williams, Sr., deacons; Treasurer, Earl M. Ramsey and R. E. Hodge, clerk.
The following ministers have served as pastors: Rev. F.C. Hickson, Rev. Noah Graham, W.L. Ball, and M. Bishop working under the State Board prior to the formal organization, B.C. Lamphey, E.E. Ayers, R.P. Galphin, D.W. Hiott, Jessie Ayers, Thomas H. Edwards, Louis Bristow, Thomas P. Lide, William Haynsworth, J. H. Darr, Miller Jackson, Maynard Allen and Paul Kok. Peter Mellette served as Sunday School Superintendent for 25 years, succeeded by W. H. Ramsey who served from 1905 until his death in 1944. He was succeeded by Mrs. E.W. Nettles, the daughter of Peter Mellette. The present officers are: R.E. Hodge, C.J. Gulledge, D.R. Young, Earl M. Ramsey and J. Frank Williams, Sr., deacons; Treasurer, Earl M. Ramsey and R. E. Hodge, clerk. Rev. Noah Graham, W.L.Ball, M. Bishop, B.C.Lamphey, W.W. Ayers, R.P Galphin, D.W. Hiott, Jessie Ayers, Thomas H. Edwards, Louis J. Bristow, Thomas H. Edwards, Thomas P. Lide, William Haynesworth, Rev. Joe H. Darr, Millard Jackson (Chaplain), Rev. Maynard Allen, Rev. Paul Kok (Over 25 Years), Rev. Sim Smith, Rev. Haselton, Rev. Brown (Interim-Presided at Centennial Celebration), Rev. Dave Worthington, Rev. Richard Hudson, Rev. Cole Smith, Rev. Darryl Davids, Rev. G. Paul Goff, Jr. (Presently The Senior Pastor)