On Feb. 23, Philippi Baptist Church of Johnston celebrated 200 years since the church was organized to serve a rural area of the Johnston community.

The bicentennial celebration began with the regular Sunday morning worship services by Philippi pastor Josh McClendon. The church was filled with an estimated 300 people in attendance. Following the morning service, dinner was served in the church fellowship hall.

Between services, special exhibits consisting of historical photographs and other items of historical interest were on display.

A special bicentennial service began at 2 p.m., with guest speaker Frank S. Page, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention. The afternoon service also included recognition of special guests and former pastors, special music, historical readings, and a collection of personal memories.

The bicentennial celebration concluded with a brief dedication service for a South Carolina historical marker that has been placed on the grounds of the church.

Philippi Baptist Church began on Feb. 26, 1814, as the “Baptist Church of Christ at Bull Branch,” which was founded by 25 charter members. On that inaugural date in 1814, three ministers of the gospel comprised the presbytery of the church, consisting of Thomas Deloach, Francis Walker and John Landrum.

Over the past 200 years, it is believed that four church buildings have served as the Philippi Baptist Church sanctuary. The current, and fourth, sanctuary was completed in July 1897 during the pastorate of J.C. Browne of Aiken. Several additions and upgrades to the church have taken place through the years.

The first sanctuary was a log structure located on Bull Branch, near Snake Branch Road, Johnston. Prior to 1886, Philippi Baptist Church maintained membership primarily in the Edgefield Baptist Association, but became a member of Ridge Baptist Association in 1886 when the association was first established.