Sumter First Baptist Church will observe its bicentennial Oct. 20 with a special homecoming service. Activities begin at 9:30 a.m.
The church traces its beginnings to a time before 1813, which was the year a few of the Sumterville townsfolk decided to form their own worship group as an offspring of the Baptist Church of the High Hills of Santee. Thomas Sumter gave the land where the church stands today.
Members first met in homes, then in a simple wooden meetinghouse that also served the Presbyterian and Methodist congregations. The worship center in use today was completed in 1974.
Nine other Baptist churches have grown out of Sumter First Baptist Church, including Bethel, Grace, Salem Avenue, Crosswell, Alice Drive, Southside, Wise Drive, Northside and Harmony churches.
Dan Barber is pastor of Sumter First Baptist Church.
For more information, call 803-773-3360, ext. 101.