The History of Saint Luke Baptist Church

The organization of the Saint Luke Baptist Church took place near Fairfax, South Carolina on the Old Orangeburg Road on a Friday night before the first Sunday of March 1887. These early pioneers saw the need to worship together in Christian love. Beginning organizers included Reverend Frank Saxon, Joseph Gooding, Jones Ferguson, Reverend Joe Grant, Furmon Jones, Brother Sam Ramsey, Brother January Jones and others whose names we lack. The first Sunday in each month was set for regular worship.

The names on the deed and title to Saint Luke Baptist Church were Reverend Frank Saxon, Brother Sam Ramsey and Brother January Jones. The first ministers to conduct services were Reverend Frank Saxon followed by Reverend Joe Grant. The first trustee was Sister Elizabeth Southward. Other trustees appointed were Reverend Joe Grant, Deacon Albert Love, Deacon Jimmy Saxon and Brother Stephen Kennedy.

Through the early years, Deacons ordained Brothers - January Jones, Jake Riley, Lovelace Southward, Sam Southward, Johnny Chisolm, Albert Love, Charlie Williams, Jimmy Saxon, Prince Carter and George Saxon. Later years, Arthur Jones and Moses Wilson came to Saint Luke Baptist as a deacon from Sand Hill Baptist Church; ordained Robert Brown, Thomas Gregory, Peter Barnwell, Luther Carter, Hard Youmans and Benjamin Wilson.

Growth has been a great part of Saint Luke Baptist Church. Through the leadership of dedicated and divine servants the church structure has changed several times. The main sanctuary in which we now worship was completed in the year 1959 under the leadership of Reverend W.M. Brooks.

Under the leadership of Reverend Ervin Greene, the first cornerstone laying ceremonies took place in May 1983, after the annexation of the education and fellowship hall. The church services were expanded to include the third Sunday of each month. The first and only Assistant Minister thus far was Reverend Richard Johnson, who served under the leadership of Reverend Ervin Greene.

Reverend Johnson donated a podium to the church, the one that we use now. In early 1984, Reverend Greene left the Saint Luke Family. Services were conducted for the following eight months under the leadership of reverend Horace Williams.

In November 1984, Reverend Henry B. Youmans began conducting services and was called to Pastor the church in October 1985. Under the leadership of Reverend Henry B. Youmans, in June 1988 two more deacons were ordained - Francis Coath, Jr. and Charlie Jenkins. George Harley came as a deacon from Nazarene Congregational United Church of Christ in Brooklyn, New York. He served two years and resigned from the deacon board. In January 1988, Brother Myron Davis became the Junior Trustee. In August 1988, new pews and carpet was added to the main sanctuary. In 1990, the Fellowship Hall and kitchen was extended by thirty feet. On April 22, 2001 two more deacons were ordained - Brother Jackson Saxon and Brother Roosevelt Manuel.

Saint Luke has licensed four ministers: Reverend Dex Saxon, Reverend Charles Jones (under the leadership of Reverend Brooks), Reverend Ricky Bradley and Reverend Mack Washington, Jr. (under the leadership of Reverend Youmans).

Saint Luke has had the following leaders: Reverend Frank Saxon (33 years), Reverend Joe Grant (12 years), Reverend W.M. Wright (2 years), Reverend Ervin Greene (11 years), Reverend Horace Williams (8 months) and Reverend Henry B. Youmans (17 years).

In 2001, Reverend Henry B. Youmans resigned as pastor of Saint Luke Baptist Church. The church came together to search for a shepherd for their flock. After six months of searching, the church came together to select a pastor. At conference, July 2002, we called Reverend Charcey Priester to be our pastor. He agreed to allow God to use him in our service. We have been blessed to worship every Sunday and attend Wednesday night Bible Study. He established a woman, men, children's and radio/tape ministry, as well as hospitality committee. Two deacons were ordained: Brother Clyde Ritter and Monroe Madison. In November 2005, Reverend Charcey Priester resigned as pastor of Saint Luke Baptist Church.

The Saint Luke Baptist church came together again to search for a shepherd for our flock. After eleven months of searching, the church came together to select a pastor. At the 2006 October conference, we called Reverend Travien L. Capers to be our pastor. He agreed to be the shepherd of the Saint Luke Baptist Church. We have been blessed ever since. Under Pastor Capers administration, a youth ministry "Youth Force" has been established; the Men and Women Ministry re-established. In 2007, the church purchased a van and in 2009, the developments of the church website site begin.

Saint Luke has the following to lend Christian growth: Usher Board, organized 1935; Missionary Society, organized 1975; Sunday School, Senior Choir, Inspirational Gospel Choir, Saint Luke Male Chorus, Angelic Children's Choir, and Voices of Praise

In 1990, Brother Alfred Wilson donated (In Memory of loved Ones) to the church bibles and black and red hymnals. In October 1995, work began to extend the choir loft and to change the image of the front of the church. In early 1996, two restrooms (male and female), a water cooler and a new steeple were added to the sanctuary. The bell was removed from the steeple area and mounted in front of the church yard. During 1997, pews and windows were added to the sanctuary. During the spring of 2001, a light sign marking the site of the church replaced the bell. In 2001, Brother Alfred Wilson donated more bibles and black and red hymnals. Sister Bernice Saxon Gill donated new chandeliers to the sanctuary in 2001. In 2002, Brother Alfred Wilson donated a desk and chair for the secretary's office. In 2004, deacon Monroe Madison donated a computer, copier, and a storage building to the church.

The present Deacon Board Members are Francis Coath, Jr. (Chairman), Charlie Jenkins, Roosevelt Manuel, Jackson Saxon, Clyde Ritter, and Monroe Madison.

In 2000 and early 2001 the Saint Luke Church Family suffered a great loss in the passing of three of our veteran Deacons: Luther Carter, Sr. (October 2000), Benjamin Wilson and Robert Brown, Jr. (January).

The present Trustees are Stephen Young, Richard Wilson, Ted Singleton, Alfred Wilson, Charlie Williams III, Marvin (Ricky) Gray, and Tramaine Manuel, who was appointed in 2009.

Present banking committee members are Deacon Monroe Madison, Sister Shirley Loadholt and Bernice Gill.

The present officers of Saint Luke Baptist Church are Deacon Francis Coath, Sr. (Chairman), Sister Shirley Loadholt (Church Administrator), Yvonne Miller (Church Secretary), Brother Monroe Madison (Treasurer), and Brother Stephen Young (Chairman, Board of Trustees).

We pray for God Gods continued blessings on this church family as we strive to do his will in the work that he has before us.