Latest comments

27.10 | 18:15

good afternoon , i am the great grand daughter of Genious Willia...

20.09 | 16:12

Anita, would you be kind enough to write a paragraph about your expe...

18.07 | 01:41

Anita, I'm with you! Had a great time. Can't wait to see you all again.

11.07 | 20:59

The 7/22 WNPJ reunion was wonderful! I connected with previously unkn...

   There was one, Mrs. Budwell, who saw the determination of these people to worship God under their own vine and fig tree, gave this spot of land to establish a church of worship. Still under the pastorate of Reverend Williams, a determined people, with hard work and cooperation, established a place of worship.

   A number of ministers served as pastor. They were: Reverends Jerry Williams, Michell, Fate Williams, Bowens, Dunbar, Lee, Hood, Ross, Diggs, Dupree, Robinson, Jennings, Turner, Tolbert, A. P. Porter, A B. Bailey, N. L. Bush, and Robert L. Wilson.

   The first Deacons were: George Jackson, Nelson Holsson, Marquis Wigfall, and Thomas July.

   We do not know where baptism was first held, but some of us remember vividly the "old pool" by the spring where we put on Christ by baptism.

   Realizing that the Sunday School was the "plant bed" of the church, the Sunday School was organized. Some of the Superintendents

were: Louis Norris, Bennie Padgett, Richard Johnson,and Jefferson Johnson. Some of the early Sunday School teachers were: Bennie Padgett, Richard Johnson and Jefferson Johnson.

   In 1948 the building was destroyed when struck by lightning.

   Being a determined people to have a place to worship, and under the pastorate of Reverend Robert L. Wilson, the members, friends, and well-wishers donated and raised money to establish the present building.

   A number of ministers have served since the rebuilding of the church. They were: Reverend Robert L. Wilson, T. Marsh, A. T. Stephens, Dunbar, David Carter, and W. L. Mines.

   Since April, 1963, Reverend C., J. Whitaker of Columbia, South Carolina has served faithfully as pastor.

   Under his leadership, we have made much progress both physically and spiritually. We are now in the process of renovating the present building and making new -additions.

      Deceased Deacons are:

          George Jackson                               Wade Brooks

          Nelson Holston                                 Henry Chandler

          Marquis Wigfall                                 David Thomas

          Thomas July                                     Mack Williams

          Louis Norris                                      David Erving, Sr.

          David Barnes, Sr.                             Red D. Lenon

          Isaac Williams, Sr.                           Creighton Williams

          Jefferson Johnson                            Andrew Corley

          Joseph Johnson                               Andrew Corley

   The present Deacons are: T. Russiel Lenon, Chairman, Isaac Williams, Atchie Padgett, David Erving, Jr., George Johnson, Whitt Wise, and Ramond Padgett.

   The trustees are: Henry Smith, William Erving and Robert Erving, Jr.

Deceased Sunday School Superintendents are:

   Louis Norris                                                Richard Johnson

   Bennie Padgett                                           Jefferson Johnson

   Other Superintendents were:  Ulysees Johnson, Atchie Padgett (30 Years) and Albert Williams. The present Superintendent is Mrs. Lona Sligh.

Deceased Sunday School Teachers are:

   Bennie Padgett                                     Daisy Irving

   Richard Johnson                                  Gertrude Lott

   Jefferson Johnson                                Hattie Jackson

   Red Lenon                                            Marie Lott

   David Thomas, Jr.                                Clara Willkiams

   Daisy Johnson                                     Mack Willkiams

   Agnes Ethredge                                   Clara Erving

   Other teachers that have served were: Esther Peterson, James Williams, Celestine W. Lenon, Florence Williams, Florence Irving, Eleanor Cunningham, Sherlyn Peterson, Juanita Lenon, Gladys Walker adn Eileene Irving.

   The present teachers are: Raymond Padgett, Artise Irving, and Cynthia Padgett.

Ridge Branch does not boast of a beautiful edifice or a large membership, but it does boast of a place where the spirit of God dwells. As a former pastor, Rev. Wilson, once said, "a place where God always smiles."

   This history was compiled with the aid of Deacon Atchie Padgett. If we have made errors or have omitted any one's name it was not intentionally.

          "History is a story of Volume Three,

           The past, the present, the yet to be,

           The first we've written and laid away

           The second we are reading day by day,

           The third the last of Volume Three,

            Is locked from sight.   God keepeth the key"

Submitted by:  Juanita A. Lenon, Clerk

See below for more history 31 years later

Ridge Branch Baptist Church

History Highlights

“And upon this rock I will build my church and the gates

Of hell shall not prevail against it”

   Under these principles a few dedicated men and women who desired to worship God as they felt organized the Ridge Branch Baptist Church. The church was first started under a bush arbor in Saluda County not far from this spot. It was later moved to the spot across the road where the cemetery is now located. The Reverend Jerry Williams served as pastor.

   Mrs. Budwell a white lady saw the determination of these people to worship God and gave this spot of land to build a church. The late Deacons: George Jackson, Nelson Holston, Marquis Wigfall and Thomas July received the title and deeds. Under the leadership of strong Christian men and women the first Ridge Branch Baptist Church was built.

   A number of ministers served in the original church. They were Reverends Jerry Williams, Michell, Fate Williams, Bowens, Dunbar, Lee Hood, Ross, Dupree, Robinson, Jennings, Turner, Diggs, A.F.Porter, Tolbert, A.B. Bailey, N.L. Bush, and Robert L. Wilson.

   In 1945, the building was destroyed when struck by lightning. During the time we were without a church home, services were held in the old school house. Under the pastorate of the Reverend Robert L. Wilson, the church was rebuilt.

   Ministers that have served since the rebuilding of the church are as follows: Reverends Robert L. Wilson, T. Marsh, A.T. Stephens, Duncan, David Carter, W.L. Mines,C.J. Whitaker and our present pastor Reverend William Yarber.

   Reverend Whitaker served as pastor from April 3, 1963 until his death on April 29, 1986. During his administration, we made great progress. Pews were purchased in 1965, the piano was purchased in 1967 and the organ was purchased in 1978. In 1974, the church was remodeled with bathrooms in the front and brick veneered.

   On March 15, 1987, the church made the choice of our present pastor, the Reverend William N. Yarber. During his 16 years of administration, we have continued to make progress. Services have been increased from two Sundays per month to four Sundays per month. At the death of Reverend Whitaker, the Education Building was in planning the stages. The C.J. Whitaker Education Building was completed in 1991 and the dedication ceremony was held on April 21, 1991. In 1999, the front entrance, along with the paving of the grounds were completed. We have also purchased two vans for the church. Because records were destroyed when the church burned, this history was complied with the aid of the late Deacon Archie Padgett.

   Ridge Branch has a small, active membership, but by the Grace 0f God we are going to make it.