The old church bell tolled again Aug. 14, as ringer Bobby Walker called the members of Chiquola Baptist Church in Honea Path to the congregation’s centennial celebration. South Carolina Baptist Convention executive director-treasurer Carlisle Driggers delivered the keynote address at the service.
More than 400 worshippers gathered that Sunday to celebrate the 1905 founding of Chiquola Baptist church, under the leadership of pastors R.W. Burts and M.M. McGee. Originally obtained in 1924 and installed in the bellfry of an earlier sanctuary on Louisiana Street, the church bell was recently restored and will be permanently mounted at Chiquola’s current worship center on East Greer Street.
Former pastors represented or participating in the Aug. 14 celebration service included R.S. Wheeler, 1948-56, represented by daughter Juanita Epperson of Kissimmee, Fla.; and Ken Joner of Greenville, 1957-61. Former music minister Joe Kay of Greensboro, N.C., 1971-73, and Kirby Winstead of Central and Wendall Bannister of Anderson, who were licensed and ordained into the ministry by Chiquola, were also in attendance.
During the month of August, Chiquola continued its celebration with Monday night revival services, featuring former pastors Frank Cox, Don Chasteen, Jerry White and Bill Ellison. Music was led by former music directors Charles Allen, Joe Willard and Rodney Graham, and the Hayes family of Boone, N.C.
Ty Childrers is senior pastor of Chiquola