Yemassee Baptist Church
127 Salkehatchie Road, Yemassee, SC 29945

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     In the 1930's, Christians in the Yemassee community began to express a desire to establish a local Baptist Church. Funds were raised in interesting ways in order to see this dream fulfilled. Mrs. Brant made quits and sold them to salesmen who stayed at the Brant Hotel. On December 12, 1939, Yemassee Baptist Church held it's first service in the Yemassee High School auditorium (Where the Town Hall now sits).

     Soon after the first service, the church elected deacons.  The first deacons were Mr. A.H. Brant, Mr. W.C. Knowles, Mr.s B.M. Mixon, and Mr. Jake Zahler. W.C. Knowles was also the first Sunday School director and his wife was the first WMU president. The members of this new congregation had a difficult road ahead of them, but succeeded due to their strong and unchanging faith in God and a willingness to work and sacrifice.

     Dr. R.E. Mays donated land for the church to construct a house of worship, and additional pledges were given to help fund this giant task. Ford Motor Company and Cherokee Plantation each contributed $100, which was quite a lot of money at that time. Construction of the building began in the summer of 1940. A hurricane blew down the walls and scattered timber over a wide area before the church could be completed. This determined group would not be discouraged, and with new enthusiasm, went back to work under the supervision of their foreman, Mr. A.H. Brant. The structure was completed for a little more than $6,000 and the building was occupied on July 30, 1943.

     Rev. Middleton left Yemassee in 1944 and was followed by Rev. O.S. Ulmer, who, like Middleton, served Yemassee, as well as churches in Hickory Grove, and Brunson. The church outgrew its facilities and needed more space. Two Sunday School rooms were added in 1948 to meet this need.

    The church parsonage was constructed in 1953 at a cost of $12,500. Now having a home for the pastor, the members began the search for their first full-time pastor.

     Rev. Francis T. Alewine was called as that man in August of 1953. In 1955, the church adopted the rotating system for its deacons.

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