Our Story

Upper Hope Station Baptist Church originated from Old Hope Station Baptist Church in 1917. The origination occurred because some of the members were having problems with the location of the original church. Because of the problems, the members decided to split into three groups. One group of members stayed at the original church. The second group built at another location and the third group being Upper Hope Station Baptist Church.

On March 21, 1917, according to the deed recorded in the Fairfield County Courthouse, about four acres of land was purchased for the purpose of erecting a building to be named Upper Hope Station Baptist Church. The land was also used for a cemetery and separate building called the Christian Burial Society. Later this building was used for an elementary school.

Upper Hope Station was destroyed by fire in 1934 and rebuilt in 1936. The Church was a wood frame building; the furniture was designed and crafted by members of the congregation.

In 1998 the church started a journey to build a new church. The journey was completed in 2000 as we marched from the old church to the new church. The building consists of a sanctuary, office, conference room, children’s church, 4 classrooms, pastor’s study along with other new amenities. The old church became the fellowship hall until 2008.

The church also purchased the land beside the church in 2003 to extend the parking lot and add a playground between 2003-2004.

In 2007 the fellowship hall, the old church, was demolished and replaced with a new building. The new Fellowship Hall was completed and dedicated May 25, 2008. The mortgage for the new church was paid in full in 2018 and we celebrated by burning the mortgage during the church anniversary service in September. January 2024 the church purchased new tables and chairs along with a sound system for the Fellowship Hall. September 2024, the first phase of paving the parking lot with asphalt was completed.

The first Pastor of Upper Hope Station was Rev. A. C. Giles. Other Pastors were Rev. Jennings, Denmark, SC; Walter Braton, George Walton, Neal Bookhart, Guy Lowery, Cureton, D.C. Chisholm, Mabre Glenn, Preston Pendergrass, Jessie Boulware, Evans, J.J. Jones, T.G. Green, Joseph Drakeford, James Coleman, George Lowry, Jr., and Corey M. Jackson.

Under the leadership of Rev. Pendergrass, the membership in the church increased greatly. During this time renovation were done to the church… Several gas heaters, additional pews, front porch, well, baptismal pool inside, inside bathrooms, and the outside structure was bricked.

Rev. T. G. Green was pastor for 13 years. During his time the church was enlarged to include a Dining Room, Kitchen, Pastoral Study, and three Sunday school rooms. Furniture was purchased for the new rooms, all inside walls were paneled, and the sanctuary floor was carpeted. The choir stands were enlarged, central heating and air was installed and a new piano was purchased.

Rev. Joseph Drakeford served as pastor for 9 years. Rev. Drakeford added spiritual growth to the church by teaching the Covenant. He organized the Deacon Wards, Mother’s Board, Male Usher Board, Youth Bible Class and Choir. Worship services were changed from second and fourth Sundays to every Sunday.

Rev. James Coleman was the pastor for 5 years and 6 months; under his leadership the belief that we were a small congregation and would be able to build a new church which became a reality. Pastor Coleman paid the first $1000 and challenged other believers to do the same including the first lady. He was the Pastor during groundbreaking Ceremony of the new church. Pastor Coleman began the Annual Cookout for members, friends and the community. He educated members on grant writing and encouraged tithing by always being the first to pay his tithes and stressed education very strongly. Also under his leadership the Youth Choir was formed and directed by the first Lady.

Rev. George Lowry, Jr. was pastor for 5 years and 7 months. Rev. Lowry was instrumental in the growth of the church. Under his leadership “missionary” was added to the name of the church and “boards” was changed to ministries. His new ministries consisted of: Tutoring Ministry, Senior Ministry, Scholarship Ministry, Transportation Ministry, Trustee Ministry, Music Ministry, Prison Ministry, Mass Choir, Story Time for Children Church, Big Brother & Sister Mentor Ministry, Black History Month for the Senior Citizen at UHSMB Church and the Adult Christmas Program. Also, under his leadership the beginning time for Sunday school and Church-In-Study was changed by 15 minutes for devotional services. The Vacation Bible School was reformed by adding speakers on different topics of interest and enrollment increased to approximately 100 students. The Summer Lunch Program during the summer at the Church. The Deacons and Trustees were revamped to have joint meetings monthly and a dress code for Trustees during Holy Communion. The Constitution and By-Laws were revised and obtained with our 501C status.

Rev. Corey M. Jackson was the pastor for 16 years and 5 months. During his leadership, he has brought several young people to give their life to Christ. God has continued to grow the church under his leadership. Several ministries that were inactive are back in motion. Rev. Jackson is committed to building lives through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel. Also, under his leadership the Health Care Ministry was formed. The new Fellowship Hall was built, and dedicated May 25, 2008. Also, under his leadership the reformation of the Brotherhood ministry, the addition of the Praise Team, and the missionary’s worship service at the Chester Nursing Home every third Saturday were added. In 2012 Father’s Day in The Park was formed. Rev. Jackson was elected to the Sandy River Baptist Association Executive Board as Vice Moderator for 2012-2013 also in 2014 the Dance Ministry was formed. We had a prosperous journey under Rev. Jackson’s leadership.

Pastor Anthony Mansfield was called to our church in March 2023 and elected as our pastor, April 2023. Currently under his leadership we have had several members to give their life to Christ. Pastor Mansfield encourages the youth each Sunday by providing an incentive. We are looking forward to a long and prosperous journey under his leadership.