South Carolina H 4412: Greater Carolina Baptist Church, ribbon-cutting ceremony

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4412 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 24, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4412

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

to congratulate greater Carolina baptist church of 
columbia at the celebration of the ribbon-cutting AT its new location on 
Saturday, may 3, 2025, and to COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR forty-three years OF 
SERVICE TO GOD AND THE COMMUNITY.

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that on Saturday, May 3, 
2025, Greater Carolina Baptist Church of Columbia will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony 
in celebration of its new location; and

Whereas, organized and 
chartered by the Reverend Dr. Leon Johnson on September 27, 1981, the Greater 
Carolina Baptist Church of Columbia was founded with forty-five chartered 
members. While its earliest worship services were held at the Luther Lee 
Building, several months later the church moved to Columbia's Latimer Manor 
Social Room. Pulpit assistants were the Reverends Thomas Marks and Cecil 
Guilyard, the first deacon was Adam Stewart, and the first trustee was Silas 
Bright. Other church workers were Emma Canzater (church secretary), Francis 
Thompson (financial secretary), John Robert Bright (treasurer), and Jeri Carter 
(church clerk). The first Greater Carolina Baptist Church Program Committee 
consisted of Martha Stewart, Pearl Hampton, Dorothy Lewis, Evelyn Bright, and 
Emma Canzater; and

Whereas, the choir 
began its ministry on October 3, 1981, with Willie J. Carter serving as the 
choir's first musician. He further served as choir director from 1982 to 1986; 
and

Whereas, during its 
quest for a permanent home, the church moved to 1412 Kingston Road in 1982. The 
church building at 1419 Anthony Avenue was purchased in 1986, and more church 
ministries were established over time, including Bible study, as well as the 
Greater Carolina Baptist Church Missionary Society, Deaconess Board, Mothers of 
the Church, and Pastor's Aid Committee. Further, the church held its first 
Vacation Bible School in 1996 and launched its first Baptist Training Union 
(BTU) in 2000. Under the leadership of its present minister, Pastor Jamal 
Bates, the church has initiated virtual worship services, Bible study, a social 
media platform, online giving, and Youth Sunday; and

Whereas, on Saturday, 
May 3, 2025, the members of Greater Carolina Baptist will unite in thanksgiving 
to the Lord at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate their new location. The 
church has experienced change since its founding in 1981 but has never lost 
sight of the One who gave credence to its birth, the Holy Spirit. To God be the 
glory!; and

Whereas, Greater 
Carolina Baptist Church has been a beacon of light and a community worship 
center in the Columbia area for forty-three years, and, God willing, will 
continue its godly heritage for many more years of worship and service. Now, 
therefore,

Be it resolved by the House 
of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate 
Greater Carolina Baptist Church of Columbia at the celebration of the 
ribbon-cutting at its new location on Saturday, May 3, 2025, and commend the 
church for forty-three years of service to God and the community.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution 
be presented to Greater Carolina Baptist Church.

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This web page was last updated on April 24, 2025 at 11:11 AM