In 1775, the Congaree Baptist Church was established and remains today in the same location where our forefathers attended until 1868. At that time in our history, the slaves attended the same church as their slave owners. In 1868, five hundred Black members left the Congaree Baptist Church and organized the Red Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Jonas Anchrom. Accommodations for members were not adequate, however, Reverend Jonas Anchrom served the people faithfully in a vacant house about three miles from the present location on a little red clay knoll; thereby, the church was named Red Hill Baptist Church.
In 1871, Red Hill joined the Gethsemane Association Upper Division. After five years, they joined the Pee Dee Association in 1877. Reverend Anchrom died on Sunday, February 25, 1877 while delivering his message from the pulpit. Some of the first known deacons were James Scott, Joseph Lowe, John J. Hoff, Simon Haynes, Benjamin Hamilton, William Shiver, Steven S. Cochran, and Lewis W. James. Deacon L. James was also the church clerk. Deacon Cochran later became a Minister.
After the death of Reverend Anchrom, Reverend Steven S. Cochran became the second pastor of Red Hill Baptist Church that same year. Under the leadership of Reverend Cochran, the Sunday School Department was organized in 1878. Deacon John J. Hoff, a schoolteacher, served as the first superintendent. E. Green was the secretary. The Sunday school consisted of approximately one hundred-forty (140) students and nine (9) teachers. The Pee Dee Association ordained Deacon James Scott on August 17, 1879. Ministers who witnessed this occasion were Reverend Clem Davis, Reverend William Lowman, and Reverend Peter Shiver. Several members received letters for dismissal to organize Mount Zion Baptist Church in Eastover, SC, which was first pastored by Reverend Frank Gunter.
Reverend James Scott was elected to carry on the pastoralship of Red Hill Baptist Church. During which time, the membership increased making it necessary to build a larger edifice to better accommodate the growing congregation. Reverend Scott and the deacons decided to purchase a plot of land that would allow sufficient space for a larger church building and burial ground. Because they were unable to buy the land on which the church was first started, they moved three miles from the original spot and bought two acres of land from the late Doctor Julius Huguenin on December 22, 1873. The construction of the building began soon after the purchase of the land. Within a year, the building was complete. What a glorious day it was for this undershepherd and flock of this great church to hold their first Sunday worship services in their new building.
In 1881, many churches withdrew from the Pee Dee Association to form the Wateree Association. Red Hill, however, remained with the Pee Dee, and hosted the 13th Annual Session from Thursday, November 1 through Sunday November 3, 1883. As a result of a missionary project of the association, a group of members withdrew from Red Hill to organize Mount Nebo Baptist on April 12, 1884. Red Hill Baptist hosted the 18th Annual Session of the Pee Dee Association in 1888. At that time the church had at least 600 members, who were responsible for housing and feeding the guests from out of town. Red Hill was the mother church of origin for many churches in the Lower Richland community. In 1889, a group of members withdrew to form Mount Olive Baptist.
Reverend Scott continued to serve his followers with much spiritual zeal and zest. His health began to fail and after a brief but serious illness, God called him to his eternal rest on July 15, 1906. The thirty-five years of Christian service he rendered left a lasting spiritual impression on the church and the entire community. In 1907, another group of members organized Pleasant Grove Baptist.
Rev. Robert W. Jenkins
After the passing of Reverend Scott, the church was without a pastor for several months, but finally they were blessed to secure the leadership of the eminent speaker and great theologian the Reverend Robert W. Jenkins. Under his Pastoralship Red Hill became known as the most outstanding rural Baptist church for Blacks in the Lower Richland area. Reverend Jenkins not only advocated Christian education but academic education, as well. Being a teacher in the community and with deep concern for those of his flock who were unable to read or write their names, he started the first night school for adults to help them gain some form of learning denied them during their youth. Several men from Red Hill Baptist Church were members of the American Literacy Union Society. They were Jeff Tucker, Peter Shiver, Nathan Scott and Easop Goodson. Red Hill’s contribution to the South Carolina Education and Missionary Convention exceeded those of other churches per member within the area. The Church grew and flourished for twenty-three years under this great minister. After he was stricken with a serious illness, Reverend Jenkins died on November 17, 1930.
Rev. Thomas L. Duckett
The Pulpit Committee headed by the late W.W (Bill) Dowdy was interested in a pastor who was capable of leading the members both spiritually and intellectually. The Reverend Thomas I. Duckett from Benedict College was chosen as the fifth pastor of Red Hill Baptist. Under his administration, the Missionary Society and the Usher Board were organized. Repairs were done to the church and the unique table that we have in our fellowship hall was an idea of his; but built by the Huguenin brothers, the late John and Dave Huguenin. Reverend Duckett gave ten successful years of faithful service before his resignation in September 1940. The resignation of Reverend Duckett led the Board of Deacons to ask Reverend Lucius H. Robinson, a native of Anderson County and a teacher in the Eastover community, to serve as interim pastor for the remainder of the year. Because of his satisfactory service, the officers and members elected Reverend Robinson as pastor in January 1941 as the sixth pastor of Red Hill Baptist.
Rev.. Lucious Robinson and Mrs. Robinson
Reverend Lucius H. Robinson, the sixth pastor of Red Hill Baptist Church, was a young and aggressive Christian man trained in Theology and church work. He first sought to identify the needs of the church. Under his administration, many accomplishments were made such as, the painting of the church both interior and exterior; adding additional rooms the pastor’s office and a multi-purpose room; purchasing of the old Red Hill School; and one-half acre of land on which an outdoor Baptismal pool was built (the building was used for a dressing room).
Due to growth in membership, the congregation felt the need for a larger place of worship and a better road for travel. Rather than move to a site with paved roads, the pastor advocated having the road leading to the church paved. In mid 1950s, he began to contact property owners in the neighborhood and the County Commissioner concerning this problem. A few years later the road was paved.
Then plans for a new building could begin. Because the congregation needed a place to assemble, demolition of the old building could not occur before the new building was complete. It was decided that more land was needed. Mrs. Marion W. McLester owned the land the church wanted to purchase. She was contacted to sell the land to the church; however, after much prayer and deep consideration, she deeded the land to the church as a gift in honor of her parents the late Hampton and Margaret Woodard.
This purchase includes the plot of land on which the present sanctuary now stands. Work started in 1964 and a dedication service was held on January 8, 1967. The next phase of construction included a fellowship hall and classroom building. After fifty years of loyal and dedicated service to his church and community, Reverend Robinson was called to eternal rest on March 27, 1993 at 8:20 p.m.
Pastor. Donnie and Evangelist Onetha Chambers
The seventh pastor of Red Hill Baptist Church, Reverend Donnie Carl Chambers, was elected by the members in September 1992 and installed in October of the same year. Reverend Chambers was born February 6, 1953 in Greenville, SC. He is the third child of the late James Charles and Annie Ruth Chambers. He attended Greenville Public Schools. He was a graduate of West Greenville Elementary and Berea High Schools. Pastor Chambers acknowledged his calling to preach the Gospel and Continued his education at Morris College School of Religion at the Greenville Extension and Columbia Institution, Spartanburg, SC. There he received his Bachelor of Divinity degree on May 14, 1987. He attended Shaw University in High Point, NC to further his education in the ministry.
Reverend Chambers was ordained in 1984 at Golden Grove Baptist Church in Traveler’s Rest, S.C. He served as pastor of the Goodwill Baptist Church in Greenville, SC for four years. He also served as one of the associate ministers at Zion Baptist Church, Washington Street, Columbia, S.C. He is affiliated with the South Carolina Congress of Christian Education and is a member of the Columbia Chapter of the NAACP. He currently serves as Moderator of the Wateree Association, Upper Division.
Pastor Chambers is married to Evangelist Onetha G. Chambers. They have three blessed children: Orenthal, Joshua, and Leslie; two adorable daughters-in-law Kiana & Lisa, a wonderful son-in-law Cedric, and nine precious grandchildren: Lee, Lacy, Joshuan, Elgin, Amyis, Kalena, Khaliah, Evie and Evani.
Through God's grace and under the faithful leadership of Pastor Chambers, the church has experienced significant growth and development. During his tenure, the Educational Wing and Fellowship Hall were constructed, the Congaree Complex Community Development Corporation was established, a church bus was acquired, the parking lot was paved, 122 acres of land were purchased, and a new church marquee was installed. These accomplishments stand as a testament to God's provision, the congregation's faithfulness, and the collective commitment to kingdom building. We give all glory and honor to God for these blessings and for the vision, dedication, and servant leadership that helped make these accomplishments possible.
Guided by God's wisdom and under the leadership of Pastor Chambers, several ministry enhancements were implemented to strengthen worship, discipleship, and congregational engagement. Worship services were expanded from every other Sunday to weekly Sunday services, creating greater opportunities for fellowship, spiritual growth, and outreach. Through God's blessings, this transition contributed to growth in both church membership and financial stewardship.
To nurture the next generation of believers, a Youth Worship Service was established and is held on the fourth Sunday of each month. Children's Church was also instituted to provide age-appropriate biblical instruction, and a youth minister was appointed to help guide, mentor, and support the spiritual development of young people. These initiatives reflect the church's ongoing commitment to building strong disciples and fostering a Christ-centered community for all ages.
Several ministries were established and strengthened to meet the spiritual, emotional, and practical needs of the congregation and surrounding community. These ministries include the Hospitality Ministry, the Prison Ministry, the Women's Ministry, the Grief Ministry, the Intercessory Prayer Ministry, the Food, Clothing, Community Outreach Ministry, the Pantry Ministry, and the choirs were combined,.
The leaders of the Deacon’s ministry were chairman emeritus Wallace Reese Sr., and deacon James Portee., chairman. Deacon Allen Dowdy was the vice-chairman, now he currently serves as chairman of the deacon’s ministry.
Several ministers have served under Pastor Chambers’ tenure. Minister Frank Woods, Jr., Minister Bernard Wilson, Evangelist Onetha G. Chambers, Minister Robert Karl Williams, Minister Chappelle Chyliss Davis Williams, Minster Sherman McBeth, Minister Roger McBeth, Minister Sandra Green, Evangelist Anya Dixon, Minister Charles Cureton, Minister Casey Duncan, Minister Clarrissa Duncan, Minister Jordan Gibbs, and Minister Dante Goins.