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Smyrna Baptist Church

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SC Picture Project / Allendale County / Smyrna Baptist Church

Smyrna Baptist Church in Allendale was once known as Kirkland Church. The structure likely was built when the congregation formed in 1827. It was called Kirkland Church for the Reverend Kirkland and evolved from Kirkland’s Chapel, founded in 1815. The name changed to Smyrna Baptist in 1836.

Smyrna Baptist Church

Jud McCranie of Wikimedia Commons, 2017

Smyrna Baptist Church excommunicated three of its members in 1827 for their views on communion, which differed from the orthodoxy of Smyrna Baptist Church. Those members included Dr. William R. Erwin, who went on to form nearby Antioch Christian Church.

Smyrna Baptist Church

Kevin Dietrich of Irmo, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Smyrna Baptist Church is listed in the National Register:

Smyrna Baptist Church is an antebellum frame structure of meeting house design set upon a low brick foundation. The exact dates of construction are not known, but local tradition maintains that the present structure was erected in 1827, the year the church was organized. A central Palladian window flanked by balancing nine-paneled entrance doors with transoms characterizes the front entrance. Both side facades feature five 9/9 windows with louvered shutters with eyebrow type windows located above each window. A cemetery surrounds the church. The original roof was covered by metal in the 1970s.

The church exemplifies the meetinghouse design, which gained prominence in the early nineteenth century. Smyrna Baptist was organized in 1827 and was called Kirkland Church, a member of the Savannah River Baptist Association. Associated with the early history of the church is the heresy trial on charges of heterodoxy against Dr. W. R. Erwin, his wife Julia Robert and her sister-in-law Rachel Robert. The trial was held when the parties asked for an official ruling on their views about communion. In July 1833 the three were excommunicated from Kirkland Church and later formed Antioch Christian Church.

More Pictures of Smyrna Baptist Church


Smyrna Baptist Church

Kevin Dietrich of Irmo, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Smyrna Baptist Church Allendale

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Smyrna Baptist Church

Where is Smyrna Baptist Church located?
Address: Bluff Road, Allendale, SC 29810
GPS Coordinates: 32.936052,-81.351836
What else should I see?
Roselawn Plantation 5.2 miles
Antioch Christian Church 6.1 miles
Erwin House 6.4 miles
Historic Downtown Allendale 8.6 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Allendale Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Churches
  • See other South Carolina National Register
    Smyrna Baptist Church Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anne Bidez says

      January 31, 2019 at 11:32 AM

      Hi, do you have any information on the name Kirkland?

      Thanks

      Reply

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