TO CELEBRATE THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BELTON CHURCH OF GOD AND TO CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND THE CONGREGATION FOR A CENTURY OF DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE BELTON COMMUNITY.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that the Belton Church of God will celebrate its one hundredth anniversary on Sunday, September 26, 2021. The guest speaker will be Church of God General Overseer Dr. Tim Hill, and the celebration will continue with a meal following the service; and
Whereas, the Belton Church of God began as a result of a tent revival that was held near the edge of the mill village in 1921, a revival during which Nettie Hanvey, Meryl Whitehead, Ed Johnson, and the district overseer served as evangelists; and
Whereas, at the close of this revival, the Belton Church of God was organized, and Nettie Hanvey was appointed to serve as pastor for the nascent congregation; and
Whereas, in the church's early years, Mrs. Jessie Banister used her home to host regular services for Pastor L. H. Powell. Through the years that followed, Myrtle Whitehead, Pauline Jackson, and Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Hanvey assisted the Belton Church of God; and
Whereas, the first official sanctuary for the Church of God in Belton was built on a vacant lot on Shirley Street, and in 1966, a new colonial-style sanctuary that could hold three hundred and eighty worshipers was dedicated at the present location on North Main Street. An educational building was erected with a pastor's study, nursery, seventeen classrooms, two offices, and a chapel that could seat eighty people. The Family Life Center was built in 1978 with a full kitchen and gymnasium, meeting room, and several classrooms; and
Whereas, Nettie Hanvey served as pastor until 1923 and was followed by Reverend L. H. Powell from 1923 to 1925, Evangelists Nettie Whitehead and Pauline Jackson from 1925 to 1930, Reverends John Hanvey and Nettie Hanvey from 1930 to 1934, and Reverends John D. Bright from 1934 to 1938, David Lemons 1938-1940, Linwood Jacobs 1940-1941, W. R. Craven 1941-1945, George Cooper 1945-1948, G. C. Hamby 1948-1949, George Britt 1949-1952, Grady Waters 1952-1953, G. C. Timmerman 1953-1954, V. B. Raines 1954-1956, F. L. Muller 1956-1960, George Johnston 1960-1962, and W. R. Craven 1962-1969; and
Whereas, in later years, pastors included Reverends Joel Hobbs from 1969 to 1971, T. F. Howell 1971-1973, W. J. Lesley 1973-1978, James Childress 1978-1989, Bob Bagwell 1989-1990, Version Hodges 1990-1992, J. Charles Smith, Sr., 1992-2000, Ronnie Grant 2000-2005, and Paul Herring 2005-2012. Since 2012, Reverend Norman Black has served as the pastor; and
Whereas, the many ministries of the church include the Women's Discipleship Fellowship; Goldteens, a ministry for seniors; Good Grief, a ministry to assist with grief therapy; and Baby Blessings, a ministry for baby showers for extended family and friends. Ministry outreaches to the community include Easter egg hunts, Halloween treats, a Thanksgiving meal, and a Christmas parade; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the ten decades of ministry of the Belton Church of God, and the members celebrate with the congregation upon the momentous milestone of the church's centennial anniversary. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate the joyous occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of the Belton Church of God and congratulate and commend the congregation for a century of dedicated service in the Belton community.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Reverend Norman Black for the Belton Church of God.