Church History

<span style="color:var(--secondary-color-bg)">The formation</span>

The formation

Our Beginnings in 1889

Two circumstances in 1889 led to the formation of Pendleton Street Baptist Church (West End Baptist Church), in Greenville, SC. First, a burgeoning population growth was taking place on the west side of the Reedy River. Second, these residents were finding it difficult, if not impossible at times, to ford the then un-bridged Reedy in order to attend Greenville First Baptist Church on West McBee Avenue downtown. Therefore, on March 3, in a room over Gibbs’ Grocery Store on Pendleton Street, a number of Greenville First Baptist Church members met as a mission Sunday School. The little mission grew quickly and one year later it was ready to become a church. 

The Name

The Name

Thus, West End Baptist Church (later known as Pendleton Street Baptist Church because of the location on Pendleton St.) was established on March 30th, 1890. According to the Minutes of Organization of the church, “…Dr. J.C. Furman preached a sermon from Psalms 84:1, ‘How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts,'” after which “ninety-seven charter members stood to affirm their acceptance of doctrine and belief.”

Several years ago, the city of Greenville annexed a portion of Pendleton Street onto Main St., changing the church’s address to 1100 S. Main St. For years, the name Pendleton Street Baptist Church stayed the same, although the church later sold the building and no longer met on Pendleton St. or on Main St. In June 2022, the members of Pendleton Street Baptist Church voted to go back to their former name, West End Baptist Church. The name change reflects the original mission of the church – a desire to serve in the West End of Greenville, SC, for the glory of God!

The Pastors

Faithful Servants
Through the Years

About Us

During its 126-year history, Pendleton Street Baptist Church has called fourteen pastors and four supply or interim pastors.
Those serving since 1914 include B.D. Hahn, who began his ministry at PSBC that year, J. Dean Crain, who followed in 1931, D.M. Rivers in 1952, R.W. (Jack) Causey in 1974, W.R. (Bill) West in 1988, Larry E. Jones in 1997, and T.M. (Marty) Price in 2003.

A history of <i>Buildings</i>

A history of Buildings

On a 50 x 150-ft. lot at the corner of Perry Avenue and Pendleton Street, the first church building was erected in 1890. As growth demanded more space, the original building was enlarged. The Hahn Building was completed in 1938, the Educational Building in 1951, and the last sanctuary in 1962. The original, often modified, sanctuary was demolished in 1972. In its place, the Rivers Building (gym) was erected in 1973. By extending South Main Street to include several blocks of what was formerly Pendleton Street, the City of Greenville changed PSBC’s address to 1100 South Main Street. Over the years Pendleton Street Baptist Church bought additional property so that the church would occupy the entire block except for the corner lot at Markley and South Main, occupied by Saint Andrew Episcopal Church.

After the sale of the building on South Main (see “A big move”), the congregation met for Sunday worship services at the Hilton Greenville. In December 2022, West End Baptist Church “came home” to the West End, to a new building located on 123 Arlington Avenue, Greenville SC 20601.  

A Big Move

A Big Move

In more recent years, with population changes and the gentrification of the West End of Greenville, several investment groups were showing interest in the church property. After praying and seeking the will of God concerning these inquiries, the Leadership Team and congregation of PSBC/WEBC felt God leading them in a new direction concerning the physical property of Pendleton Street Baptist Church. On January 4, 2015, the members of PSBC/WEBC voted to sell the building on Main St. and to create plans for a new facility that would better align with the church’s mission and ministry.

The congregation then moved their Sunday worship services to the Hilton Greenville, where the hotel staff graciously served our classroom and worship center needs each week. PSBC/WEBC has enjoyed worshipping at the Hilton during the years between buildings. In 2020, property on the corner of Arlington Avenue and Anderson Street was purchased. The church offices were housed there until remodeling and construction on the new church building began in early 2022. The first service of West End Baptist Church in the new building was held on December 11, 2022.

Worship Service, Sunday, July 20th
Come worship with WEBC, Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Come early for coffee & fellowship! Can't come in person? Click for a live-stream!
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