Richland Springs Baptist Church, Saluda County, celebrated 150 years of worship and service to the Lord Aug. 2.
Founded on the first Sunday in 1859, the church was established with 28 charter members who came from Dry Creek and Sardis Baptist churches.
More than 300 people were in attendance for the anniversary celebration. Members and guests met under a brush arbor for a reenactment of the first worship service. Everyone then met across the road at the old Richland Creek School as memories were shared about the history of education in the community. Everyone then assembled at the restored outdoor baptismal pool for an old-fashioned baptism service. The homecoming sermon was delivered by pastor Steve Jones.
Richland Springs originally was a member of Edgefield Baptist Association and later became a charter member of Ridge Baptist Association.
The church building was completed in 1880. The sanctuary has been renovated several times and continues to be used. Sunday school rooms were added during the 1940s, and another educational addition was constructed in the 1950s. A modern fellowship hall was built in 1999.
