History of St. John Baptist Church

In the early 1870s, the Reverend Samuel Barber was able to start a campaign to organize St. John Baptist Church in Hopkins near Chappell Creek. The progress of the church in its early years was monitored by New Light Beulah Baptist Church, the “Mother Church” of St. John Baptist Church. 

According to state historical records, Reverend Phillip Shiver was the first preacher called to serve the church, but Reverend William Lowman was the first ordained minister. Mr. Ephraim Neal donated land for the first church building after members had met and worshipped in a bush arbor or brush arbor. The new building faced toward the railroad and was adjacent to Chappell Creek where baptisms were held. It was December 1, 1875 that Lowman was ordained by the Reverend William W. Adams, the first pastor of New Light Beulah Baptist Church. Abigail Swygert of Columbia sold a one acre tract of land to the trustees of St. John on December 14, 1878. Reverend William Lowman, who served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1876-1878, was pastor of the church from 1875 until 1885 and again from 1887 until 1893.

In 1893 the Reverend Jesse W. Neal became pastor, serving a total of 51 years. Rev. Westberry H. Neal, son of Rev. Jesse Neal, succeeded his father and served a total of 58 years. Dr. Neal left a rich legacy as a minister, serving as Pastor Emeritus until his death in 2002. Reverend Sammy L. Wade, a retired US Army Chaplain and former Assistant Inspector General, has served our congregation faithfully since 2001, first as interim pastor and currently as pastor of St. John Baptist Church.