Poplar Springs Baptist Church
"Where everyone is someone and Jesus is Lord"
Poplar Springs Baptist Church was constituted in 1876. It is believed that charter members of Poplar Springs came from Coneross Baptist Church. The charter members included Joseph Brewer, C. H. Chastain, J.O.L. Abbott and J. M. Sanders.
The first church building was a one-room wooden structure complete with pot belly stove and kerosene lamps.
In 1877, the church was received as a member of the Fork Baptist Association. Several years later, the Beaverdam Baptist Association was constituted, and Poplar Springs Baptist Church was received into its membership.
In 1949, a new building was built with a large sanctuary and a full basement for Sunday School classrooms. Through the years, several additions and renovations were made including an indoor baptistry, restrooms, a pastor's study and additional classrooms. The building was later bricked, and stained glass windows and central heat and air were installed.
One hundred years after the first church was established, dedication and open house were held in 1976 for our present sanctuary, a facility with a seating capacity of 400+. Today our church has a membership of over four hundred, offering Sunday worship services, Sunday School, Discipleship Training, Wednesday night prayer service, Wednesday Bible School and missions programs.
Numerous pastors have faithfully served Poplar Springs. The first pastor on record was the Reverend M. Hix. Rev. Houston Hawkins was the first full time pastor, serving as pastor for twenty eight years. Our current pastor is Rev. Tim Sheriff.
The first church building was a one-room wooden structure complete with pot belly stove and kerosene lamps.
In 1877, the church was received as a member of the Fork Baptist Association. Several years later, the Beaverdam Baptist Association was constituted, and Poplar Springs Baptist Church was received into its membership.
In 1949, a new building was built with a large sanctuary and a full basement for Sunday School classrooms. Through the years, several additions and renovations were made including an indoor baptistry, restrooms, a pastor's study and additional classrooms. The building was later bricked, and stained glass windows and central heat and air were installed.
One hundred years after the first church was established, dedication and open house were held in 1976 for our present sanctuary, a facility with a seating capacity of 400+. Today our church has a membership of over four hundred, offering Sunday worship services, Sunday School, Discipleship Training, Wednesday night prayer service, Wednesday Bible School and missions programs.
Numerous pastors have faithfully served Poplar Springs. The first pastor on record was the Reverend M. Hix. Rev. Houston Hawkins was the first full time pastor, serving as pastor for twenty eight years. Our current pastor is Rev. Tim Sheriff.
On February 13, 2011, Rev. Thomas Houston Hawkins, 92, went home to be with the Lord. Following 28 years of service as pastor of Poplar Springs, Rev. Hawkins continued to be an essential element of our church upon his retirement from the pastorate in 1980. Always supportive of our pastors and deacons, willing to deliver a sermon (at Poplar Springs or elsewhere) when needed and eager to delight us with a song, Brother Hawkins leaves a tremendous void. However, we know he would want us to rejoice and be glad. For he is with the Father and his dear wife, Mary, to whom he was so devoted for 65 years prior to her passing in 2005.
The educational building (left) was razed in the summer of 2013.
On October 28, 2010, the beautiful copper steeple was moved from the educational building onto the sanctuary, and we are very pleased with how the steeple's verdigris has enhanced the building's appearance. By moving the old steeple to our main building, we are able to preserve a portion of a building that bore witness to much of our church's history.
Poplar Springs Baptist Church
P. O. Box 458
500 Poplar Springs Road
Walhalla, South Carolina 29691
Tel: (864) 638-5400
info@poplarspringsbaptistchurch.net
P. O. Box 458
500 Poplar Springs Road
Walhalla, South Carolina 29691
Tel: (864) 638-5400
info@poplarspringsbaptistchurch.net
Pictured left is the worship sanctuary with the adjoining twenty-first century educational building. Sunday School classes were first held in the new building on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014.
Poplar Springs Baptist Church
P. O. Box 458
500 Poplar Springs Road
Walhalla, South Carolina 29691
Tel: (864) 638-5400
Send us an e-mail!
P. O. Box 458
500 Poplar Springs Road
Walhalla, South Carolina 29691
Tel: (864) 638-5400
Send us an e-mail!
a