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Photo by Sheila Berry, 2001
CATFISH CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH
Organized in 1802 as Catfish Baptist Church by two ministers, Robert Thomas and William Bennett,
one of whom served as the first pastor to the original congregation of eight males and three females.
No connection has been established between this organization and a church of the same name which
functioned approximately from 1750 to 1790 in the same general area.
Source:
Catfish Creek Baptist Cemetery Transcriptions
1970 Brochure, contributed by William Snipes, 1997-1998:
On this occasion a brochure of the church, prepared by C.B.
ALLEN, was distributed to interested parties. A copy is herewith given
for the benefit of the church record.
Brochure of Catfish Creek Baptist Church
I. Organization
The Catfish Creek Baptist Church was organized in 1802. It
was organized as the Catfish Baptist Church and functioned under
this name until a few decades ago, when the work "Creek" was
added to relate to the stream from which it took its name.
There might have been, in the vicinity of the present church
building, an earlier one of the same name that ceased to exist about
1790 and yet provided the spiritual roots of the present church.
However, there is not enough proof of such as yet to warrant the
present church to lay claim to this connecting link.
It is uncertain whether the organization of the present church
took place on its present site or about a mile away and in the vicinity
of the Sellers Old Mill area of Little Reedy Creek. It is certain that the
immediate background influences for the church, if not its formal
organization, grew out of prayer meeting services in the home of
Henry BERRY, who lived in this general area; that at some
undetermined later time a rude log house of worship was built in
proximity to the Henry Berry home; and that still later a similar house
of logs was built on the present site of the church. The intervals of
time mentioned, so far as the records show, could all have been of
relatively short duration or might have been over a longer span. One
can only conjecture, therefore, as to where the church was actually
organized.
The time of construction and use of this first building cannot
be pinpointed any more than the exact site. One can only say it grew
out of a need for a special place of worship. The time most surely
antedated the birth of the church in 1802. It is quite conceivable
that the building, as well as the services in the home of Henry Berry,
preceded by months, or even years, the actual organization of 1802.
II. Buildings
The first house of worship, as already indicated in
connection with the organization of the church, was located about a
mile away from the present site and in the area near to Seller's Old
Mill, which is east or northeast of the present church site. The
structure "was a house rudely constructed of pine logs with no floor
but pine straw, in which the people met and worshiped."
Regardless of whether the church was organized a mile away
or on the present site, this first place of worship could not have been
used long, if at all, after 1802; for two more houses of worship soon
followed on the present site. Henry BERRY, who is mentioned as an
early member, is said to have "owned land extending from his home
to the public road where the church is now located, and beyond; and
he offered to donate the lot for the new location."
The first building on the present site was of similar
construction as the first a mile away, and already described. In fact,
it is quite possible the earlier building was dismantled and rebuilt on
the new site. It was "located on the eastern or northeastern corner of
what is now (1967) the old cemetery and bordering on the public
road."
Evidently the church was growing in numbers and resources,
for after a brief time -- after 1802 and before 1812 -- a second
building was erected on the present site. This new structure "was
built of cypress boards, riven and drawn smooth with a knife. The
planks for the floor were hauled from what was then known as
Legette's Mill, near Beaverdam, in Marlboro. It stood where the body
of the faithful Stephen A. HARGROVE sleeps." This building was used
until 1849. During this time the church experienced one of its most
fruitful periods.
In 1849 a third building was constructed and in approximately
the same location as the second. One is led to believe that the
growth of the church demanded a better facility than the second on
provided. However, in spite of the evidence of a great deal of
harmony and wholehearted support. even to the point of liberal
financial support from non-members, a disagreement between the
contractor and the building committee prevented the building from
ever being completed as was originally planned. The oncoming war
of 1860-1865 might have had some bearing after a few years
passed. Most likely the uncompleted portion related to only the
interior portion, for the building was used for many years.
This building is described by Dr. W.C. ALLEN, who grew up in
this church and was later its pastor, as follows; "I remember this
same old building when I was a small boy and was taken there by
my parents. It was very dark, almost black on the outside from the
weather, and probably thirty of forty feet, with home-made pews and
pulpit, and right much weather-beaten, as I recall."
The War of the Confederacy wrought its havoc, but the
church rode out the storm and by 1883 was again experiencing great
leadership and the addition of substantial members. There was felt
the need of a new church edifice, and the present building was
erected. (Some illegible description)
The building itself was made of long-leaf pine timbers. The
workmanship was superb, especially in the light of the tools
available at the time. The kind of materials used and the spacious
elegance of design reflect tribute to the farsightedness and artistic
appreciation of the planners. Moreover the construction of done in a
relatively short period of time. The cost was born by the members as
the work advanced.
The building speaks for itself. For a church edifice of 1883 it
must have been quite imposing. Its pews were made by hand out of
the same choice material as the building. The doors employed a
track instead of hinges. A baptistry was provided for within the
building instead of in a separate structure, as was common at the
time.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the furnishings was the
chandeliers, which the writer is informed "were said to be very
expensive, and were purchased in Charleston." They were designed
for oil lamps and were so used until about 1946, when they were
converted to the use of electricity.
An educational plane was added to the main building in
1948. The porch was added in 1970. These have a history of
themselves, as well as certain alterations about the pulpit and
interior of the auditorium at one time or another. However, the main
building is substantially the same today as in 1883; and this
treatment of the church plant makes no attempt to provide all factual
data since 1883. This matter is for the larger history of the church.
III. Influence and Contribution
The church has exerted a profound influence upon the
spiritual life of the community and state. It has contributed much in
the way of denominational leadership.
Several churches have largely been formed out of Catfish
Creek Baptist Church. The Antioch Baptist Church, no longer
existent, was formed in 1829 by the dismissal of thirty-six members
for such purpose from Catfish. In 1886 twelve members were
dismissed to help form the Olive Branch Baptist Church. A little
later, a substantial number were lost to help form the Latta Baptist
Church. Doubtless other churches drew upon the mother church in
one way or another.
At least eleven members of the church have been ordained
by the church as ministers of the gospel, and one has gone out as a
missionary. Besides, many equally dedicated laymen have made
their mark as Christian witnesses.
Among the ministers mentioned there have been those
holding high posts of leadership, not only as preachers but also as
denomination trustees, moderators, secretaries, editors, and
expositors of the Bible. At leas four have received honorary degrees
from Furman University.
The church has always been closely identified with the
denomination life of Southern Baptists. It has contributed liberally
with finances to the mission and other benevolent causes. A larger
percentage of its budget is still devoted to these causes than is true
of most churches in the Association of which it is a part.
Never large in numbers, the church has had its struggles, but
it has survived the adversities and gone forward in Christian witness
and service. Its present membership of about one hundred fifty
resident members can be trusted to carry on in the best tradition of
the predecessors.
MINUTES DEVOTED TO THE MEMORY OF FRANKLIN A. BERRY
He was a kind-hearted man; his Christian walk was straight forward,
"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright;
for the end of that man is Peace"
CATFISH CREEK ROLL OF MEMBERS AS OF JAN 1897
The Catfish Baptist Church in conference day before 2nd Sunday in Dec 1838. Granted bro. James Blackman a letter of dismission upon the condition that he (Blackman) shall pay his subscription to the church. Adjourned Wm Adams, Mod, E. Jackson, CC The Catfish Baptist Church in conference day before 2nd Sunday in Jan 1839. Rec'd for baptism Delilah Danniel, Adah Graham, Nathaniel Danniel, Nicholas Huggins, Simon Adams, Charles Kirby and Beverly Kirby. Adjourned, Wm. Adams, Mdr, E. Jackson, C.C. CATFISH CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH Male Members 1st Jan 1858 D. BERRY Wm. GEORGE Jessie B. PERRITT B. A. JACKSON E. L. JACKSON E. M JACKSON Elias JACKSON David JACKSON F. A. JACKSON Cade TART Jas TURNER Jacob COLEMAN F. A. BERRY Moses COOK H. J. TART B. G. JACKSON John COX Henry Cox D. F. BERRY Jessie CARTER J. R. JACKSON Joshua SANDERS C. T. WITTINGTON N. T. BERRY B. W. JARNIGAN CATFISH CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH Female Members 1861 Mary PERRITT Mary JACKSON Julia TURNER Beatrix JACKSON Elizabeth TURNER Elizabeth BERRY Phebe COATS Elizabeth BLACKMAN Martha COATS Mary DEW Mary COATS Mary A. TURNER Sarah COATS Mary J. TURNER Rebecca SWEAT Martha A. POWERS Ophilia TURNER Julia A. COOK Pemelian TURNER Susan COATS Mary OWENS Martha CARTER Mary BASS Mary JARNIGAN Addie GRAHAM Mary LEE Flora BETHEA Levejane HORTON Adaline POWERS Delila DANIEL Marinda JACKSON Nancy SWEAT Susan BIRD F. E. JACKSON Elizabeth CALDER Harriet LOVE Elizabeth COOK Elizabeth STRONG Hettie HUGGINS Mary WILKERSON Elizabeth BEERY Harriet POWERS Sarah BERRY Ann R. BERRY Mary DEW Susan BERRY Nancy TART Mary Ann HARGROVE Ann BERRY Mary MILES Elizabeth MILES Penelop CENEDY Ann JACKSON Rhoda JACKSON A. A. GEORGE Harriet HOOD Mary HAYS Mary GEORGE The Church has 99 members, Jan 1861 Jane WATERS 29 male and 70 Female members. Nancy ROGERS J. A. J. Martha FORE Elizabeth OWENS Nancy CHRISTMAS Telatha Crawford Martha J. HAYS Elizabeth TART Martha GREENWOOD Martha A. ATKINSON Sarah JACKSON The Catfish church in conference day before 2nd Sunday in Oct 1865. Called Elder Joel Allen to the pastorate of this church. Adjourned, D. Berry, Mdr., I. R. Jackson, C.C. The Catfish church in conference day before 2nd Sunday in Dec 1865. Excluded D. F. Berry. Adjourned, Elder Joel Allen, Mdr., I. R. Jackson, C.C. The Catfish church in conference day before 2nd Sunday in Jan 1866. Excluded Mary Owens, Margret Christmas, Nancy Sweat, Martha Carter and Margret Tart and Lizzie Strong. Elected H. C. Dew Treasurer. Adjourned, Eld. Joel Allen, Mdr., I. R. Jackson, C.C. The Catfish church in conference day before 2nd Sunday in Apr 1866. Excluded Mary A. Jackson. Adjourned, Eld. Joel Allen, Mdr., I. R. Jackson, C.C. The Catfish Church in conference on the day before 2nd Sunday in Aug 1866. Excluded Beatrix Smith, Mary Hays, and Nance E. Hays, and Susan Berry. Adjourned, Elder Joel Allen, Mod.; I. R. Jackson, CC Jas DuPre delegate to the union meeting, Sept 1866. Eld. Joel Allen, Mod; I. R. Jackson, CC The Catfish Church in conference day before 2nd Sunday Oct 1866. Exluded Collin Fletcher. Called A. R. Pittman to the Pastorate of this church for next year. Adjouned, Eld. Joel Allen, Mod; I. R. Jackson, CC The Catfish Church in conference day before 2nd Sunday in Jan 1867. Excluded Noah Sweat and wife.l Dismissed Elizabeth Fletcher by letter. Adjourned D. Beery, Mod;, F. A. Berry CC P.T. The Catfish church in conference day before 2nd Sunday in Feb 1867. Excluded Jessee Easterling Appointed Jas Dupre, Dennis Berry, B. W. Jarnigan, I. A. Hargrove and H. C. Dew a committee to investigate certain slanderous reports circulated against the Rev. A. R. Pittman. Adjourned, Eld. W. J. L---, Mod;, Jas Dupre, CC The Catfish church in conference day before 2nd Sunday in March 1867. Dismissed Samuel Thompson and Mary Ann McDaniel. Delegated H. C. Dew and Jacob Coleman to the union meeting. Jas DuPre reported for his committee that the reports against the Rev. A. R. Pittman are utterly false. Adjourned, Eld. Joel Allen, Mod;, Jas DuPre, CC The Church at Catfish met in conference the day before 2nd Sunday in April 1867. Dismissed by letter C. C. Whittington and Mary Lee. Adjourned A. R. Pittman, Mod.; Jas DuPre, CC |
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Dillon County Churches Dillon County History Dillon County History and Genealogy |
Catfish Creek Baptist Church was one of the places picked out
to be on the tour of interesting places in Dillon County's observance
of the South Carolina Tricentennial. The church was host on this
day, which was September 24, 1970, as many visitors came and
received refreshments and information about the church.