HISTORY OF WYATT'S CHAPEL BAPTIST CHURCH

In the late 1860's a group of freed slaves, led by Rev. McCree, met in a brush arbor (a secluded place surrounded by tree branches) so that they could have somewhere to worship and praise God. Newly freed, they harbored fears of the former masters knowing about their efforts to start their own church.

In 1870, the group organized Wyatt's Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. McCree as pastor. The church was named after one of the first deacons, Alexander Wyatt. There were four deacons serving under Rev. McCree: Alexander Wyatt, J. Wallace, David Ray, and Alexander Robinson. Rev. McCree remained the pastor of the congregation until his health began to fail.

In 1880, Eliphus Linder donated one acre of land to Deacons Alexander Wyatt, J. Wallace, David Ray, and Alexander Robinson and their successors so that a church could be built. Church worship services were held every fourth Sunday and Sunday School classes began meeting every Sunday morning. Baptism was in Sugar Creek, the Williams' pond on Lower Fairforest Road, and a creek that was located on Joe Eubanks Road. The pastor used whichever creek had the most water in it.

Rev. Calvin Peake, a member of Wyatt's Chapel, was the moderator of the Pacolet River Baptist Association at the time of his death, November 23, 1923. He was also the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Wellford.

In the early 1900's, a school was started for the children in the community. The two-story building which was located near the church, had classes for lower grades on the first floor and older students had classes on the second floor. Some years later, a one-story schoolhouse was built and classes were held there until the late 1950's.

In 1943, two additional acres of land were purchased. The church burned down in the mid-1940's and a new church was built in 1947 on the opposite side of the road. A new pastor, Rev. R.B. Sullivan had been elected, and he, too, served until his health began to fail. Sunday school and worship services remained the same under the leadership of Rev. Sullivan. There were twelve deacons serving under Rev. Sullivan. Homecoming services were held on the fourth Sunday in May. Revival meetings were, and still are today, held every fourth week in August. Dinners were served outside on makeshift tables on Homecoming Sunday and the fourth Sunday in August. On Thanksgiving, the church members had "Box Suppers," when the women fixed meals and boxed them up to share with the men at church.

In 1961, Rev. Earl Cheeks was elected as pastor, serving for more than twenty years. Under his leadership, an outdoor baptism pool was put in the back of the church, a large Sunday school room was built, and a basement was added that was used as a dining area. Sunday school and worship services remained the same. There were five deacons and four trustees added under his leadership.

Rev. Myron K. Rector was installed as pastor in 1985. He began having worship services twice monthly and eventually every Sunday. The sanctuary was rebuilt with an indoor baptism pool. Minister David Peake was licensed under Rev. Rector. Rev. Rector served until 1990.

In 1990, Rev. J. N. McDowell was named the pastor of the church. Dr. McDowell started observing our homecoming services on the fourth Sunday in August. Under his pastoralship, ministries and auxiliaries were restructured or organized. A planning committee was formed. Church membership began to increase. Deacons and trustees were given districts in order to effectively minister to the sick and shut in members of the church and community. A tithe box and church vans were purchased. On September 1, 1993, 2.56 acres of land were purchased. An additional 2.89 acres of land were purchased on September 16, 1993. The dirt road that led to the church was paved. In 1996, a new sanctuary, capable of comfortably seating five hundred people, was built. The old sanctuary was remodeled and a kitchen was added. The cemetery was landscaped. A new central air-conditioning unit and carpet were installed. Pastor McDowell ordained eight deacons, seven trustees, licensed eight ministers: Minister Kenneth Peake, Minister Harold Byrd, Minister Calvin Gallman, Minister Whilfred Jeter, Minister Timothy Farr, Rev. Adolphus Jermaine Jeter, Minister Dudley Thompson III, and Minister Dennis Peake. Dr. McDowell ordained one preacher, Rev. J. L. Peake, former pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Cross Keys, SC.

Dr. McDowell faithfully served as pastor at Wyatt's for fifteen and one-half years, preaching his final sermon on Sunday, December 11, 2005.

Rev. Henry Darwin Tate was installed as pastor of Wyatt's Chapel Baptist Church on February 11, 2007. During his tenure, the church received a 501C status. Wyatt's observed its first Holy Convocation March 28-31, 2007. Rev Tate served until October 2008.

On May 24, 2009, Rev. Jefferson McDowell preached the mortgage burning celebration for paying off the new sanctuary.

In May of 2009, Wyatt's church family elected Minister Elijah Ray as their new pastor. Minister Ray was ordained on May 31, 2009 at Beaverdam Baptist Church in Enoree, SC. He began his official duties as pastor of Wyatt's Chapel Baptist Church on June 14, 2009 and his installation services were held on September 27, 2009. Sis. Keisha Jeter was appointed by Rev. Ray to be his personal assistant in 2009. An outreach ministry named after the late Barbara Savage was formed. A Health Ministry, headed by Dr. Erica Savage-Jeter and a Marketing Ministry, headed by Sis.Adrian Savage was formed under Rev. Ray's leadership.

Rev. Ray licensed three ministers: Trustee Natasha Wedman, Sis. Jannie Gist, and Trustee Maurice S. Wedman, Sr. In 2010, Trustee Calvin Ray was ordained as a deacon The first female trustees were elected in 2010: Jill Jeter and Natasha Wedman. Other trustees installed under Rev. Ray are Richard Floyd, Andre Tate, and Larry Thomas, Leroy Darby, Lonnie Mobley and Michael Session. In 2013, Brother James Harris was ordained as a deacon.

The construction of an educational wing began in mid- 2011 and was completed in October of that year. A dedication service was held on December 11, 2011 with Rev. Jefferson McDowell as guest preacher.

In 2012, Wyatt's held its first integrated tent revival with a pastor from an area church preaching each night. Rev. Brad Goodale, pastor of Philippi Baptist Church in Union, SC, preached the first night; Rev. James Mason of New Emmanuel Baptist Church preached the second night; Dr. Rick Henderson, the pastor from Putnam Baptist Church in Buffalo, SC, preached the third night and Rev. Dr. Jefferson McDowell of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Laurens, SC, preached on the last night.

In January, 2013, security cameras were placed on the outside of the church.

On January 20, 2013, a nursery, headed by Sis. Toshala Graham Jeter, was opened for infants six weeks old to two years old.

In April, 2013 Rev. and Mrs. Ray hosted the first celebration for retirees, recognizing those who had retired within the last five years. Those honored that year were Connie Bates, Betty Foster, Mildred Hall, James Harris, Barbara McClurkin, Elaine Peake, Gregory Peake,.

The bylaws and constitution of Wyatt's Chapel Baptist Church were revised under Rev. Ray's leadership.

Under the leadership of Rev. Ray, the audio visual system was updated and monitors placed in the sanctuary and fellowship hall. The 8Q Vision 2025 was organized in 2014.

Members / Former Members who were licensed and / or ordained by other churches

Rev. Dr. Calvin Rice, Rev. Bessie Black, Rev. Calvin Gallman (licensed byWyatt's but ordained by Majority Baptist Church), Minister Chavonda Gallman, Elder Frederick Gregory, Minister Brenda McKissick, Minister Louise Nash, Minister Mark Darby, Elder Rossi Hames, and Minister Everleee Thompson...

Known Deacons (in chronological order)

Alexander Wyatt, David Ray, Alexander Robinson, J. Wallace, Fayte Johnson, Tee Robinson, John Sarter, Cyi Adams, Bruce Ray, Bailey Peake, Morgan Peake, Monroe Rice, Foster Rice, Elious Jeter, Sr., Matthew Peake, Sr., (chairman), R. R. Rice, L. T. Peake, Arthur Rice, Sr., William Rice, Sr., Joseph Sartor, Elious Jeter, Jr., Will Ross, Sumpter Rice, Fred Sartor, Dennis Peake, Jr., Roosevelt Hardy, J. L. Peake, Clyde Rice, (chairman), Morris Jeter, Willie Earl Nash, Bobby Peake, Arthur Rice, Jr., Carl Smith, Wallace Young, Sr., Willie Jones, Calvin Ray and James Harris.

Some Past Church Clerks

R. R. Rice, Pearl Hughes Henderson, Bettye Rice, and Peggy Briggs (present clerk).

Known Trustees

Flynn Peake, Edward McBeth, Charles Hughes, Abraham Jeter, Sr., Dennis Peake, Sr., Will Ross, Fred Sartor, Wallace Young, Sr., Willie Mack Jeter, Bookoer T. Rice, Sr., Arthur Rice, Jr., Adrian Thomas, Erastus Gilliam, Calvin Peake (present chairman), Elvin Humphries, Jonathan Ruth, Gregory Peake, Robert Young, Robert Browning, William Browning and Calvin Ray, Jill Jeter, Natasha Wedman, Maurice S. Wedman, Sr., Raymond Smith, Richard Floyd, Andre Tate, Larry Thomas, Leroy Darby, Lonnie Mobley, James McEntire, Willie M. Gore, Willie Jones and Michael Session.

Today there are over 250-300 members with about 150 being active. Included in our active members is Deacon Willie E. Nash, Sr., great-great-great-grandson of our founding deacon, Alexander Wyatt.