Our History
Bethlehem #1 Missionary Baptist Church in Conway, SC began in the year 1889 when six men Ed Bryant, Jack Williams, Bob Conner, Thomas F. Lewis, Bob Davis and Simon Faulk discussed the need to have a closer place to worship in the community. Selecting land in the Sandridge community, these men soon became the first Deacons of Bethlehem #1 MBC. A bush shelter was constructed which housed the newly formed church. The starting membership was seventeen members.
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​Under the leadership of Rev. Simon Faulk, the church received its name, Bethlehem No. 1 Missionary Baptist Church. The church has always been active and served as a beam of light for the Sandridge community of Conway, SC.
Early members had to travel long distances using mules and wagons to transport their families and little children to worship at Bethlehem #1 MBC. Lanterns were used to light the way on the dark roads and light inside the bush shelter, the first church site. The travel was perilous but made lighter with the singing of worship songs along the way. Services were not held every Sunday but traditionally two Sundays out of the month.
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Bush Shelter - 1889
T-Shaped Structure - 1931
Just 11 years later in 1900, a log cabin school was built to educate the local black children and worship began to be held there, the second location of the church. Later, parents and other adults were also educated at the school.
In 1916 the first wooden church structure was built and painted a bright white. A wood heater provided heat for the building. The building was expanded in 1931 for the growing membership.
First Wooden Church - 1916
There was always continued growth of the church due to the dedicated members of Bethlehem #1 MBC. In 1956, third sanctuary, a large brick and block frame church, was erected with a big celebration service the fourth Sunday in October 1961. Many members of the congregation worked together to gather the needed materials for the church, including building materials and furnishings for the church.
A Fellowship Hall was added in 1972 entertaining and gathering as a family. The old sanctuary was built next to where the current sanctuary stands. It was torn down after construction of the latest sanctuary.
Former Church - 1961
New B1MBC - 1998
Our current sanctuary was dedicated in September of 1998 and is one of the largest churches in our association with the ability to seat over 500 people. With services held every Sunday, our current pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sonny Bridges, has worked tirelessly to teach and educate the congregation and surrounding communities. Today, Bethlehem #1 MBC is a leader in not only the Sandridge Community, but our message of the saving power of Jesus Christ is now traveling the world with our social media channels such as Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
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Through the grace of God Bethlehem #1 MBC continues to go forward. Philippians 4:13 reminds us that through Christ ALL things are possible.
