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The first organized movement of the Advent Christian Church in the Walterboro
area was under the direction of Mr. Henry Durant, Rev. McGuire and Rev. Ben
Sineath. During 1897 these men held services in a tent near the forks of Bells
Highway and Mount Carmel Road. Its numbers increased so quickly that within two
years a small building was placed on a plot of land given by Mrs. Telula Abegail
Hiers Zeigler.
Some significant advances have taken place in the one hundred years since the
church was begun. Under C.O. McCormack the first two Sunday School rooms were
built, and Homecoming Day was established. In 1953, George Saunders became the
first full-time pastor. Soon after two wings were added to the church, a
parsonage was purchased, and additional church property was acquired. George
Polhill accepted pastoral duties in 1956, and it was during his time at Grace
that the present sanctuary and educational facilities were built with the
dedication of the new structure being in 1960.
In 1963, Vernon Burtt assumed pastoral leadership, and he and his wife moved
into the beautiful new parsonage that had been built beside the church. Adrian
Shephard became pastor in 1968. It was during his pastorate that the church
hired William Batson to work with the youth. “Willie” later became the church’s
Minister of Education. Leonard Boston was called to be Grace’s pastor in 1977,
and the landscaping was planted and the parking area was paved. During this
time, a Cemetery Fund was established for the perpetual care of the cemetery.
Vernon Burtt filled in as pastor again, and David Buchanan served as our Youth
Minister at this time.
Donald Wrigley assumed the pastorate in 1982, and the church experienced
spiritual growth during his time at Grace. A picnic shed was begun in 1984 and
completed in 1985. Wayne Lucas was called as pastor in 1994. Each Sunday he
leads not only in services for the adults, but also shares in a Children’s
Sermon and gives strong emphasis to the Youth. A new public address system was
installed soon after his arrival. Grace Church has become an even more loving
and compassionate congregation during his stay.
In 1997, the congregation celebrated the 100th anniversary with singing and
speakers. The most recent addition has been the enclosing of the picnic shed,
which was started in 2001. It is now completed and serves the church as a Family
Center used for many special events.
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