About Us
A Foundation of Faith since 1839
Andersonville Baptist Church was founded in 1839 when twelve members of Double Springs Baptist Church—along with Rev. William McGee and Rev. David Simmons—organized a new congregation on the outskirts of the river-port town of Andersonville, South Carolina. The simple white, peg-joined church stood along the Tugaloo River, where early members often accessed services by ferry and worshiped only once a month due to Rev. McGee’s circuit-riding schedule. Despite challenges such as flooding and the gradual decline of the town itself, the church continued to grow and was admitted to the Saluda Baptist Association in 1843.
As the town of Andersonville faded—first damaged by the 1840s floods, then bypassed by railroads, and ultimately abandoned—the church remained the anchor of the community. Baptisms were held at the ferry, revivals met in brush arbors, and the congregation persisted through hardships. In 1904, to escape continual river flooding, members purchased land on a nearby hill and painstakingly moved the entire wooden sanctuary board by board to the new site, where it became known as “the little white country church on the hill.” This building served the congregation for more than 100 years.
The most dramatic change came in the 1950s when construction of Hartwell Dam required the church and local cemeteries to be relocated before the valley was flooded. In 1956, the congregation moved to Dobbins Bridge Road, reconstructing a purchased sanctuary and later adding a new brick church in 1972 as membership grew. Through seasons of growth, decline, and renewal, Andersonville Baptist Church has remained steadfast—preserving its heritage, honoring generations of pastors, and continuing its mission of sharing God’s love. More than 180 years after its founding, the church stands as the last surviving legacy of the old town of Andersonville, a testament to perseverance, faith, and a community built on solid rock.
A Leading Light in a Modern Day
After the completion of the new brick sanctuary in 1972, Andersonville Baptist Church continued adapting to the needs of a growing and changing congregation. The original smaller sanctuary—still standing beside the new one—was renovated to serve as children’s classrooms and a nursery, symbolizing the church’s commitment to both its heritage and its future. In the decades that followed, the church experienced seasons of fluctuating membership, including a significant decline in the early 1980s. Yet under the leadership of pastors such as Rev. Julien Crowe, the church experienced renewed spiritual and numerical growth and celebrated milestones like its 150th anniversary. The church also preserved its rich history by assembling photographs of former pastors, beginning with Rev. Amaziah Rice in 1843, which now hang in the foyer as a tribute to past generations.
Today, under the leadership of Rev. Travis Bryan, Andersonville Baptist Church continues its mission of “sharing the love of God with all.” The church meets weekly for Sunday and Wednesday services and offers ministries and activities for all ages, reflecting a vibrant community rooted in both tradition and modern ministry needs. Though the original town of Andersonville has vanished beneath the waters of Lake Hartwell, the church that once sat on its hill continues to thrive—standing as a living reminder that when challenged by the forces of nature, time, and change, Andersonville Baptist Church has always chosen to rise to higher ground.
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