OUR HISTORY

Rocky Knoll Baptist Church was established in 1904.

According to a brief historical sketch of the Rocky Knoll Baptist church prepared by Mrs. Maggie Abbott Gillespie for Homecoming Services in May, 1954, the church was organized in 1902; the idea came out of a brush arbor meeting held in the Neville Cemetery.

She said that in 1903 Mrs. Magdalena Good gave 3/4 acre of land to build a meeting house on; W.T. Abbott was the first pastor; and that J.W. Abbott was the first church clerk, serving until his death in 1913.

The first book of church minutes, however, began in 1904. From it come this report: "The beginning of erecting a baptist church at or near the old Neville Cemetery, Aug. 20, 1904."

According to the same book of church minutes, the church was constituted September 18, 1904.

Old black and white photo of a small church building.

FIRST PASTOR AT ROCKY KNOLL

Reverend William Thomas (W.T.) Abbott (1856-1931)

Serving from 1904-1906 and 1911-1915

Reverend William Thomas (W.T.) Abbott was born in Oconee County to Reverend Willis Washington and Mariah Earle Dawon Abbott in 1856. he married Margaret Hayes the daughter of Reverend Hamilton N. Hayes and Margaret Snipes. Reverend Abbott served churches in Oconee and Pickens counties. He was one of the best known and beloved Baptist ministers in Oconee County, having held many charges during his long ministry in Oconee. He was mainly responsible for the Union Church in Liberty, SC, a church built with the support of the Liberty cotton plant. This church later became Eastside Baptist Church. Reverend Abbott died May 16, 1931 at his home in Seneca, SC. His wife died in April 1946. They are both buried in Liberty Cemetery, Liberty, SC.

THE CENTENNIAL BELL TOWER

Erected in 2004

For over 100 years, faithful members have gathered at Rocky Knoll Baptist Church to worship and seek His will. For 100 years, God has ministered to this community through the lives of His people at Rocky Knoll.

The Bell Tower was built to reflect our belief and ministry.

The 25 ft. structure, points skyward directing us to look up and remember our God. The four identical sides facing North, South, East, West. Each stands for a quarter of a century that together equals our 100 years as a church.

The four gates, one on each side symbolize the promise we find in Matthew 7:8, "For everyone who ask will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be open to him who knocks."

The water fountain and the lady with the pitcher represents the Samaritan woman at the well. John 4:13, "Whoever drink this water will get thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water that I will give will never be thirsty again.

The three levels represent the three church buildings that God has blessed us with as a place to gather and worship. The first level represents the original wooden building of 1904 and is dedicated to those first Rocky Knoll members who had the vision to build a Beacon on this Hill. Mrs. Dan Good donated the land.

The center section represents the first brick building of 1954. The columns have 16 flat surfaces that represent the 16 called pastors to lead this congregation over the past 100 years. W.T. Abbott, L.M. Lyda, W.T. Land, W.M. Thompson, M.J. Stansell, J.F. Burris, A.C. Harrison, A.L. Sanders, O.F. Owens, Paul Hayes, Ralph Hall, Carl Raines, Roy Burgner, Billy C. Compton, James Kirkpatrick, and Walton Marsh.

The top section represents the present brick sanctuary in use since 1985. The ringing of the original old bell that was in the previous church building is dedicated to all our service men and women serving our country, and to the veterans that gave much, and to some that gave all. In World War I Lewis Blanchett gave his life, the local American Legon Post is named in honor of him, and in memory of Grady Vaughn who gave his all on constructing our church in 1986. It reminds us the freedom we have to worhsip and to send the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ into the entire world.

From top to bottom, this memorial is dedicated to God, those who He has called, and those who have answered.

To God be the Glory,