Skip to main content

About Us

About Us

A Brief History of the Spartanburg County Baptist Association

City of Spartanburg
City of Spartanburg
Years ago, there was one African American Baptist Association, namely the Tyger River Baptist Association. Following a dispute over some property, there was a split that caused the Spartanburg County Baptist Association to come into fruition. The new Association eventually elected the Reverend Dr. W. L. Wilson moderator. Dr. Wilson served for many many years until his health eventually became an issue. Those who served as officers during Dr. Wilson era were as follows:

  • Dr. W. L. Wilson, Moderator
  • Rev. N. J. Alexander, Vice Moderator
  • Rev Converse Robinson, Secretary
  • Deacon Leroy Jones, Treasurer

He then resigned and The Reverend Doctor N. J. Alexander, the former secretary and Vice Moderator of the Association, was elected moderator of the Spartanburg County Baptist Association and the Reverend Benjamin D. Snoddy was elected Vice Moderator. Dr. Alexander served for approximately two years before becoming ill and died. In 1988, Reverend Snoddy succeeded him as the Acting Moderator until the Annual Session of that same year. At the annual session, he was unanimously elected Moderator of the Spartanburg County Baptist Association and served for the next twenty years. In 2008, Reverend chose not to run again for the position of Moderator because he saw the need to stagger the rotation of officers as tenure was now in place. During his twenty year tenure, he instituted a newly composed Constitution and By-Laws, instituted a Mid-Year Session, established a Recognition Banquet, instituted the first Pastor and Pastor's Wife Appreciation Dinner, established the Music Ministry Auxiliary, implemented tenure of office and the commenced the Interdenominational Theological Center Certificate of Theology Extension. A Catechism Study Guide was composed of 100 questions for the preparation of minister's for catechism. He began the Annual Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration in the month of January. Rev. Snoddy also gave the Association some financial stability by leaving $10,000 plus in treasury for the new administration. An Association Website was established for a period of time as well. Under the leadership of Moderator Snoddy, the first female minister, Minister Audrey Grant, was ordained by the Association at Majority Baptist Church of Spartanburg, SC. Dr. Grant formerly served as an Assistant Superintendent of Spartanburg County School District #7. Her commitment to the Lord and ministry speaks volume of her promise as an ordained minister of the Gospel. She was ordained to assist the pastor of Majority Baptist Church.

In 2008, the Reverend Wendell Thompson was elected unanimously as moderator of the Spartanburg County Baptist Association at the Holden Chapel Baptist Church of Boiling Springs, SC. They newly elected officers were as follows:

  • Rev. Wendell Thompson, Moderator
  • Rev. Jackie Oneal, Vice Moderator
  • Rev. W. T. Thurman, Secretary
  • Rev. David Moore, Assistant Secretary
  • Rev. George Downs, Treasurer
  • Rev. Walter Belton, Statistician

Under Rev. Thompson's effective leadership, New churches are affiliated with the Association and there was a broader participation from the member churches.

From October 4, 2014 to October 5, 2019, Rev. Horace L. Wilson, Jr. was the Moderator of the Spartanburg County Baptist Association. During his tenure his accomplishments includes:

  • Collaboration between Tyger River and Spartanburg County Baptist Association for 3 County Wide Revivals with participation from all Association Churches and established the Association Choir
  • The Tyger River Baptist Association and SCBA pooled money together to represent Spartanburg County during the SCE&M Baptist Convention annual Baptist Day overwhelmingly
  • Assisted SCE&M Convention with emergency relief programs
  • Instituted monthly Clergy Fellowship & Training Meetings
  • Assisted 7 Churches during pastor searches and performed installations of the same.

In 2019, Rev. Melfred Brock became Moderator of the Spartanburg County Baptist Association. Rev. Milfred Brock had many achievements as Moderator. Some of those achievements are

  • Pandemic Support and Unity: In March 2020, during the onset of the global pandemic, united local pastors through weekly meetings, creating a crucial network for support, connection, and spiritual guidance during a challenging time.
  • Hands-On Community Response: Responded directly to the EF-3 tornado disaster in Seneca, South Carolina, by rallying pastors and community members and delivering essential clothing and supplies to impacted families, embodying faith in action.
  • Strengthened Organizational Foundations: Played a vital role in updating the Constitution and Bylaws of the Spartanburg County Baptist Association, establishing structural clarity and enhancing the effectiveness of leadership within member churches.
  • COVID-19 Community Education: Partnered with Dr. Chrissie Middleton and ReGenesis Health Care System to coordinate town hall meetings, providing the community with vital information on COVID-19 safety.
  • Food Distribution: Organized and distributed thousands of food boxes as part of the "Farmers to Family" initiative, ensuring food security for countless families during the pandemic.

In 2024, Dr. McDaniel was elected Moderator of the Spartanburg County Baptist Association at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC.