West End Baptist Church

In 1941, because the church membership continued to grow, a new church site, across the street from the original building was purchased and a larger church auditorium with a basement was built. The Arcade Mill gave the pews, choir seats, and pulpit furniture for the new auditorium. The first service in the new structure was held on March 15, 1942. With an eye for further expansion, the church purchased additional property in 1949. In October of 1950, a well-equipped educational building was added to the property and in 1959 a "Youth Building" was completed.

West End Baptist Church has always been a mission minded church body. It was reported in 1954 in "The Baptist Advance", the newsletter of the York Association, that West End was sponsoring the revival of Shiloh Church. Also in 1954 West End sponsored Oakdale Mission and constructed their first building. Oakdale was constituted a church in 1958. West End Baptist Church also has a proud record of ordaining several men as ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Donald Ferrell was ordained to the gospel of ministry August 26, 1950 under the pastorate of A. G. Todd. Rev. Ferrell is the son of Willie Mae Ferrell, one of our church members who are presently in the nursing home in York, SC. Rev. Bill Jennings was ordained to the gospel ministry April 18, 1954 under the pastorate of Thomas Haggai. Rev. Ronald Long was ordained June 1960 under the leadership of Milford Vaughn who was pastor of West End at that time. Dr. Long is presently associated with Luther Rice Seminary based in Atlanta, Georgia. On March 5, 1961 under the leadership of Milford Vaughn, Rev. James Lowery was ordained to the gospel of ministry. Rev. Lowery is presently serving as pastor of Chapel Grove Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC. In November 30, 1966 Rev. Joe Richard Wren was ordained to the gospel of ministry under the leadership of his father, John Everett Wren who was pastor of West End Baptist Church at that time.

The 1950’s brought tremendous growth to West End Baptist Church. The 1953- 54 Associational Minutes list West End Baptist Church as the 3rd largest church in the Association in membership and number one in the Association in additions by baptism. Ninety-four people were baptized that year 1953 – 54. There were 105 people uniting with the church by transfer of letter. The average Sunday School attendance was 472. In Church Training that year West End was 3rd in the Association with an average attendance of 191.

From the very beginning, West End Baptist Church has had an open door policy to people in the community, always reaching out and inviting people to come to Jesus Christ. The decade of the 50s brought tremendous growth to the church. Many babies were dedicated during this period time. The Lord continued to bless in a great way. 1954 there was an emphasis all across our Convention to reach a million people. This Convention wide emphasis was entitled "A Million More in '54". The Convention attempted to enroll one million people in Sunday School during that year. For many, many years West End Baptist Church has been a mission minded church reaching out to boys and girls, sharing the message of Jesus Christ with them. GA's, RA's has always been a wonderful ministry here as young boys and young girls were taught mission education. The WMU Circle groups would meet and spend time in prayer for our missionaries around the world.

West End Baptist Church in the 1950's is like West End of today in that fellowship is an important aspect of this church's life. The church has always tried to provide for ministry to its Senior Adults by fixing meals for them and by providing opportunities for them to be a part of fellowship. The West End family never misses an opportunity to sit down around the table and enjoy a period of fellowship with fellow church members and enjoy the good food that is provided. West End Baptist Church Sunday School and Worship grew rapidly during the 1950's and engaged in outreach efforts in the Arcade and Victoria Mill Communities. The church was a community church. Many of its members lived within just a few blocks of the church and walked to church every Sunday morning. They did things together as a community. Many of them worked together in the Arcade Mill and would spend time together having block parties, and cook-outs and some would even go on vacations together during this period in the church's history. The West End family has always felt that this "truly is the end of your search for the friendly church" in the Rock Hill area. Even though this period in church history was a time when West End grew and increased in numbers its members were constantly aware there were many, many people in the community who did not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

They had a desire to spread the fires of revival throughout the area of the Victoria - Arcade Mill community and to encourage people from all over Rock Hill to get involved in church and to become active and interested the things of God. Throughout the course of history there were many well known preachers to come and conduct revival services at West End Baptist Church. Dr. Hyman Appleman was one very well known evangelist who came to this area to preach. Dr. Buckner Fanning conducted revival services at West End in the early fifties as did Dr. WA Criswell from First Baptist Church, Dallas TX. West End has traditionally been a church down through the years who emphasized stewardship. Stewardship of one's financial resources, but also stewardship of ones time and talents as well.