Our History. Our Heritage.

In the year of 1875, a band of believers in Christ came out of Old Steele Creek Baptist Church. It was owned and controlled by white Baptist in those days of slavery. This band of believers settled themselves on the West side of Steele Creek for a while under a bush harbor and gave themselves the name of St. Luke Baptist Church. Rev. Commodore Dunbar was their first pastor.

The founders were as follows: Simon Lafette, Lewis Sanders, Andrew Jackson, Nero Jackson, Ischmel Schaver, Offie Williams, Henry Burke, Stephen Robinson, Robert Ingram, Bob Dunbar, Joe Dunbar, Daniel Allen, Jeff Ashley, Payton Brown, Charlotte Burke, Janet Robinson, Sophia Allen, Amanda Ingram, Mollie Dunbar, and Katherine Dunbar.

The members chose and ordained for Deacons: Lewis Sanders, Ischmel Schaver, Nero Williams, Simon Lafette, Andrew Jackson, and Offie Williams. W. M. Wade was clerk.

They then bought a church site from T.S. Dunbar, and in 1880 they built a church. Rev. Commodore Dunbar pastored until he became disable, and by his consent, they called Rev. W.M. Bush. Rev. Bush accepted the call provided the church would take care of Rev. Dunbar as long as he lived. The church agreed. Rev. Dunbar died in 1895. Rev. Bush pastored until his death on May 8, 1919.

Deacons that were ordained by Rev. Bush are as follows: A. Jackson, W.M. Rhodes, Watkins Priester, Warren Meyers, Thomas Carter, John Dunbar, Spencer Price, Jack Jackson, and Jesse Foreman.

He ordained for the ministry; Willis Robinson, Arthur Meyer, and Wade Hampton.

Clerks were W.M. Wade, H.A. Bradley, Ben Allen, Willis Robinson, Arthur Meyer, Dave Roberts, Rayford Meyers, and Carroll Meyers.

He also built two churches on the same site during his tenure as pastor.

After the death of Rev. Bush, Rev. W.M. Phinizy was called as pastor. Rev. Phinizy ordained the following deacons: Johnny Walker, Hamp Coleman, Sam Robinson, R.L. Meyers, C.S. Meyers, Robert Carter and William Robinson.

He ordained for the ministry; Joe Robinson, John Dunbar, Darling Bradley, E. Bush, and H. Ingram.

He received by letter Deacons, Sam Beck, James Brown, and Henry Sutton.

In the year 1893, Sis. Emily Rouse, her four children, Rev. J.D. Coleman and B.J. Coleman purchased a spot of land consisting of one-half acre and built a bush harbor. They named it Bentley Branch.

Membership consisted of B.J. Coleman, John Williams, W.M. Bing, Emily Rouse, Sarah Williamson, Susan Williamson and Mary Bing.

In 1901, the Church was changed from Bentley Branch to Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Deacons were as follows: William Bing, J.D. Coleman, and Samuel Odom.

Rev. S.I. Davis was the first pastor. Rev. Davis ordained the following deacons: B.J. Coleman, and W.M. Bing.

Rev. Davis pastored for eleven years.

In 1912, Rev. G.W. Cherry was called as pastor. Rev. Cherry ordained as deacons: Lee Dunbar, D.B. Williamson, W.H. Ashley, and B.T. Williamson.

He licensed and ordained to preach J.D. Coleman.

Rev. Cherry passed in 1924.

In 1925, Rev. G.C. Williams was called as pastor. He pastored for two years.

In 1927, the church called Rev. W.M. Phinizy as pastor.

Rev. Phinizy ordained the following deacons: Bryant Williamson, Otis Williamson, S.E. Roundtree, M. Buggs, Edgar Morris, Stephen Odom, David Odom, and Cleveland Coleman.

Rev Phinizy licensed and ordained to preach David Scott.

In 1951, the government took over part of Barnwell County, everyone had to sell and move. The St. Luke and Bethlehem deacons met and agreed to unite.

In 1952, the two churches were moved and united under the name Union Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. W.M. Phinizy as their pastor.

Rev. W.M. Phinizy pastored until his death. After the death of Rev. W.M. Phinizy, the church called Rev. C.W. Phinizy.

Rev. C.W. Phinizy ordained the following deacons: John Robinson, Willie Solomon, Dan Foreman, Joe Walker, Ralph Williamson, Chester Moody, James Pinkney, Ronnie Pernell, Fred Walker, Jake Pinkney, and Louis Harrison.

License and ordained to preach Jonas Walker.

Rev. Phinizy pastored until his death in 2005.

After months of serving as our interim pastor, Rev. John W. Dingle was called as pastor on August 27, 2006.

Rev. Dingle ordained the following deacons: Lawyer Williamson, Sr., James Dicks, Flemmon Buggs, Wade J. Collins, and Clyde Meyers.

Dea. John Pinkney received by letter.

The following ministers came under the leadership of Rev. John W. Dingle: Licensed and ordained to preach Reverend Laverne Harrison, Licensed and ordained to preach Reverend Virginia Priester and received by Christian Experience Minister Samuel Capers.

The Lord called our Daughter of the House, Reverend Virginia Burroughs-Priester, home to glory on May14, 2024.

Licensed and ordained to preach Reverend Samuel Capers.

OFFICIAL BOARD AS RECORDED IN THE 2026 HISTORY

Our current official board consists of: James L. Pinkney, Chairman/Treasurer, Chester L. Moody, Vice Chairman, Flemmon Buggs, Wade Collins, Clyde Meyers, and Shannon Moody, Clerk.

If we continue to follow as God leads us, surely there are countless blessings in store for the church and the community.

We hope that this history will be a token of gratitude to those resting in hallowed ground, who toiled, struggled, prayed and fathered generations to make 2026 one to celebrate this year.

May we take the recommendations of our father to take the talents he has given us and use them so they will multiply for all mankind.

Our fields of labor are ripe; they have been sown by the hard struggles of our forefathers.

This is our day! It is here and with faith in God, who has promised to be with us, we are able to grasp courage for whatever is before us.

With this awakening, we, the present generation, and those who will come after us, will be ready to take our place in a church old, yet made new by the promises of God.

A church that awaits new discoveries, new thoughts, new talents, by someone who might be you.