Old Fort Baptist Church History

Rev. Storm made a trip to Greensboro, North Carolina on March 18, 1966 to interview a candidate for pastor of the mission. Rev. Troy Gregg brought a message at Summerville Baptist Church on June 19, 1966 and on July 17, was called to be pastor of Old Fort Baptist Mission and Associate Pastor of Summerville Baptist Church. He and his wife, Linda, and a son, Michael moved to Summerville on August 23.

The building was completed in September of 1966 and opening services were held on September 25. A full church program began on October 2, with approximately 30 families leaving the mother church to fill places of leadership at the mission. There were 207 present for Sunday school on this date and the need for additional space was recognized immediately.

Dedication services for the new building were held on the afternoon of November 6, 1966, following morning worship and dinner on the grounds. Rev. J. H. Storm, Pastor of Summerville Baptist Church, Rev. Aaron Tyner, Associational Missionary of Screven Association, and Rev. Troy Gregg, Mission Pastor took part in the program. Dr. Horace Hammett, Executive Secretary of the S. C. Baptist Convention, brought the dedicatory message.

The first deacon election was on August 6, 1967 with Mr. Charles Rhodes, Mr. R. C. Jackson and Mr. Laurie Burbage being elected. Mr. C. M. Pender, Jr. and Mr. Ben Morgan were elected to serve as deacons on August 4, 1968.

Construction of additional Sunday school classrooms in the basement began in December of 1967 with H. E. Tuttle as Contractor. Twelve rooms, a kitchen and Pastor's study were completed in January of 1968.

Attendance steadily increased in each program of the church and, when 1968 church year ended, the church had met its budget for the first time. Plans were put in motion at this time for the Old Fort Baptist Mission to be constituted during the church year 1968-1969. The Service of constitution for the church was held on September 28, 1969.

During the 1969-1970 church year, Mr. Lester Hicks was ordained as the first person called out from the church to preach the Gospel. During this period, Mr. Steve Bennett was licensed to the Gospel Ministry. At the end of the church year, there were 421 resident church members on the roll.

The church year 1970-1971 brought about two significant events in the church. In the spring of 1971, Old Fort Baptist Church voted to begin a mission in our community. After much prayer, the Mission Committee at Old Fort recommended to the church that this mission be located in the Miles Road-Greenhurst area. On May 12, 1971, Old Fort approved the purchase of three acres of land adjacent to the Greenhurst Subdivision for the purpose of beginning this new mission church, later to be known as Miles Road Baptist Mission.

In October 1971, the first Pastor, Rev. Troy Gregg, resigned to accept a call as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Chesnee, S. C. Within a few days after Rev. Gregg departed Old Fort, a Pulpit Committee was elected to seek out a new pastor for the church. Rev. David Stone was called as Interim Pastor and the church continued to grow in numbers and spirit.

Rev. Gene Boone was called to be the second pastor in June of 1972. Soon after Rev. Boone arrived, a lack of adequate space was evident. Sunday school attendance was averaging about 285 and increasing each month. A Building Committee was elected. After surveying the need, consulting with organization leaders and the Pastor, the Committee decided that our building needs were twofold: additional Sanctuary space and more Education space. Much study and prayer led the committee to recommend to the church in 1973 that we deviate from the master plan by adding a multi-purpose building at the back of the present building. The church body approved of this plan and proceeded to secure pledges and contributions to begin construction of the building. 1974 was a good year for Old Fort with the church roll increasing to over 600.

Rev. Gene Boone submitted his resignation as Pastor of the Old Fort Baptist Church in April 1975. Again, a Pulpit Committee was elected and they began a search for a pastor to lead the flock at Old Fort. Once again, Rev. David Stone fulfilled the duties as Interim Pastor.

In July 1975, the church called Rev. Milton D. Parker to become Pastor of Old Fort Baptist Church. The construction began on the new Educational Building simultaneously with the arrival of Rev. Parker in August. At the end of the 1975 church year, the church roll had increased to 660 members. In 1977, Rev. Bobby Richey was called as Pastor of Miles Road Baptist Church and their new sanctuary was dedicated. Also, Sheldon Timmerman was called as Minister of Music and Youth at Old Fort. Negotiations began in 1978 to purchase additional land for future parking needs and were soon completed.

In early 1979, Pastor Parker resigned and Rev. Gene Blitch was called as Interim Pastor. The church voted to begin a bond program to help finance a building program for a new sanctuary. Not much later, Sheldon Timmerman resigned to go to seminary. Two important events occurred in the summer of 1979.

In June, the church broke ground for the new sanctuary and in July, the church called Rev. Fred Astin as its fourth Pastor.

The decade of the 80s brought tremendous growth and changes to the church. Robert Flint began his ministry as Minister of Music and Youth in June 1980. That same month, on the 22nd, the dedication service for the new sanctuary was held. The old sanctuary was eventually remodeled into Sunday school space and the church experienced rapid growth. The 1980 church year ended with 819 members and 209 average attendance in Sunday School. By the end of 1982, the church had a membership of 995 with an average attendance of 290. The church realized the need for additional staff help and called Rev. Randy Sorrow as Minister of Education and Outreach in September 1983. Desiring to further his education, Rob Flint resigned his position in February 1984 to attend Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. This position was not vacant very long. On April 1, the church called Reggie May as Minister of Music and Youth. He began his work in June of that year following his graduation from Southern Seminary. In early 1986, a committee was elected to study the space needs of our Sunday school and the possibility of building new facilities. Sunday school had now reached 322 in attendance with a church membership of 1138. In August of this same year, Rev. May resigned his position as Minister of Music and Youth. Buddy Frederickson and Steve Johnson filled the position of Interim Minister of Music until March 1987 when the church called Tony Lollis to serve as Minister of Music and Youth. David Hix served the interim period as Minister of Youth until Mr. Lollis was called. The church also voted that spring to build a Christian Life Center and purchase a new organ for the Sanctuary. This commitment of approximately one million dollars was a tremendous leap of faith for the church and illustrated the desire of the church to continue its growing ministry in the community. Later in September that same year, the church voted to change Rev. Sorrow's position to Associate Pastor. In Spring 1988, the church began one of its most exciting ministries - The Passion Play. On Homecoming Sunday 1988, ground was broken for a 16,300 sq. ft. Christian Life Center - a facility containing Sunday school classrooms, gymnasium, snack area, administrative area and kitchen.

The fall of 1989 was a time of growth and change. Rev. Lollis resigned to accept a call to Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Easley. Following Hurricane Hugo, the church moved into the Christian Life Center and was able to remodel the Education Building to accommodate growing preschool and children classes. For the first time in its history, Old Fort Baptist Church had membership over 1300 and a budget greater than $400,000. Sunday School enrollment had grown to over 900 with an average attendance of 379. Randy Wagner was called as Interim Minister of Music and served until May 1990 when two new staff members came to serve at Old Fort. Scott Harlow was called as the Minister of Music and Rev. John Sprinkle was called as the Minister of Youth and Activities. The addition of a new staff position once again indicated the desire of Old Fort Baptist Church to meet the needs of its people and to reach out to the community.

From 1990 - 1993, the church experienced some of its greatest blessings from God. Growth continued during these years as evidenced by the record attendance set in Sunday School - one day at 702 and yearly average at 470. An early worship service (8:30) was begun as a response to the need for more worship space. The Music Ministry was expanded to include additional ensembles and soloists as well as an orchestra, which aided in the worship each Sunday. The young people were very active within the church and the community as the ministry grew numerically as well as the young people spiritually during these years.

In June 1992, Rev. Harlow resigned to go to Mulberry Baptist Church in Charlotte. Lindsay Lewis stepped in and served as Interim Minister of Music until the arrival of Rev. Scott Duffer in June 1993. Rev. John Sprinkle resigned his position in May 1993 to accept a call to Edwards Road Baptist Church in Greenville. Steve Strickland served as Minister of Youth during the interim period until Rev. Kevin Brian was called as Minister of Youth and Activities in the fall of that year. From 1993 - 1995, the church saw numerous families have to move as it and the community adjusted to the effects of the Naval base and shipyard closing. The church also had to adjust as its pastor of fifteen years, Fred Astin, resigned in September 1994 to accept a position as Director of Missions in Beaverdam Association. Dr. Stuart Arnold served as Interim Pastor from January 1995 to July, 1995 when the present pastor, Dr. D. Eric Lethco, arrived on the field (July 16, 1995).

The church continues to grow under Dr. Lethco’s leadership in spite of space limitations. A long range plan for Old Fort was adopted on July 8, 1996, focusing specifically on the family and featuring in the future a new building, a Christian Family Counseling Center, expanded family-oriented activities, new directions in video ministry and publicity, and the establishment of an Institute of Christian Training. Rev. Brian resigned in August 1997 to accept a call to a church in Louisville, Kentucky and was replaced by Rev. Erik Shamblin in June 1998. Rev. Shamblin came from First Baptist Church, Shelby, North Carolina although he had spent his teen years as a member of Old Fort. Stefanie (Buck) Basinger was hired as part time Director of Children Activities in May, 1998 as the church continued to focus on various ministries to the family. In January, 1999, Mrs. Basinger’s title was changed to Director of Children Ministries and Church Activities as she became a full time staff member and Rev. Shamblin’s title became Minister to Students as his responsibility now included students from grade six through college. Adjustments continue to be made within the staff with the resignation of Rev. Duffer in April 2001, the resignation of Mrs. Basinger in August 2001 and the vote to create a new Minister of Education/Outreach position and increase the Associate Pastor’s responsibilities in the pastoral and administration areas.

In November 2001 Ann Quinn was called to be the Director of Children’s Ministries. Her responsibility includes children and preschool ministries. In 2002, the new Worship Center was completed and dedicated. The first service was held on Easter Sunday, with an overflow crowd with more than 1200 attending. Two staff positions were filled in 2002 with the addition of Moses Clark as Minister of Music and Scott Cannon as Minister of Education and Outreach. In January of 2006 Erik Shamblin resigned as Student Minister, and Jesse Adkinson was called as Interim Student Minister.

Many items in the long-range plan were accomplished. A major step was taken on April 11, 1999 when the church voted to enter an expansion program and a fund raising campaign. Over $1,000,000 was pledged to build a new worship center, which also included classrooms and nursery space. Site work began in July 2000 and a contract for the construction of the building (approximately 34,000 square feet) was signed on February 25, 2001. The building which seats around 1100 was completed March 2002. In June 2000, approximately 4 acres of land across Dorchester Road from the church was purchased for future expansion. Ministries to families were expanded with the creation of a Child’s Day Out ministry for preschoolers and an after school program (Kid’s Fort) for school age children. A summer camp program and a basketball ministry were added to the emphasis on the family by the church. The division of the Youth ministry into high school and middle school ministries has allowed more specific age instruction.

God continues to bless Old Fort with a new vision and new spirit. Ministries organized throughout the years continue to expand. The Young-At-Heart ministry, which began in the mid-1980s, now averages seventy at its monthly meeting. The Women on Mission group is very active in various mission projects within the church and the community. Our Men’s ministry has reorganized and is looking to provide mission and spiritual growth opportunities for the men of the church. A men’s Fraternity group of over 50 men is now meeting every Tuesday morning at 6:00 A.M. and is looking to provide mission and spiritual growth opportunities for the men of the church. A new Women’s ministry called One Heart has been organized, promoting activities such as the Mother-Daughter Tea, Beth Moore Conference and various Bible studies for the ladies. Our church has sent mission teams to Panama, Ecuador, and Honduras and has recently sent teams to Peru and China, in addition to the trips that individual members have taken to other countries. A recent local ministry was begun to the people across Dorchester Road in Calument Valley. The Passion Play ministry will be celebrating, next year, twenty years of presenting the gospel to this community. Over 65,000 people have viewed this presentation throughout the years with numerous decisions being made for Jesus Christ. The Youth ministry is ministering to large numbers of young people both within the church and outside the church walls. A Prayer ministry has been reactivated and the present goal is to have someone praying around the clock every day.

Two notable anniversaries were celebrated in recent years. Rev. Sorrow celebrated his 20th anniversary at Old Fort in September 2003 and Pastor Lethco celebrated his 10th anniversary in July 2005. The staff continues to grow with the addition of Mary Singletary and Heather Hansen as Assistants to the Children’s Ministries. Stan Halstead was hired as Director of Media, but had to resign due to health reasons. This job is presently divided between Tony Brown and Ryan Ashley. Also Jim Bogstad is now serving as interim contemporary worship leader, a position previously held by Erik Shamblin.

Our support staff has continued to grow throughout the years as well. Delores Burbage, Emily Garrison and Nick Nichols are now serving as Ministry Assistants in the church office. Two custodians (Larry Papay and Clayton Lewis), and a housekeeper (Loretta Lewis) keep our facilities clean and presentable.

The past year has seen God actively at work in the midst of His people at Old Fort. Attendance in Sunday school has increased around 8% this past year; with a high attendance of 766 and worship attendance is now approximately 1200+. The church has added 204 new members (as of September) this past year with 75 joining by profession of faith and baptism. For the first time ever, the membership of the church is now over 2500 with a budget approaching $1, 600,000. Mission expenditures have more than doubled since 2003 with the church giving more than $70, 000.00 to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering in 2006. Old Fort Baptist Church has experienced a relatively short, but rich heritage in these past forty years. We eagerly anticipate the future blessings of God upon the church known as Old Fort Baptist.