• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

Old Gap Creek Baptist Church

SC PICTURE PROJECT Leave a Comment

SC Picture Project / Greenville County / Old Gap Creek Baptist Church

This church, built in 1928, is neither the first nor the last to serve the congregation of Gap Creek Baptist in Marietta. The church’s history dates to 1840 and includes a bitter matrimonial conflict that nearly shuttered the organization. When Gap Creek Baptist formed, members worshiped in a simple log cabin along its namesake creek not far from its current location. Two decades later, in 1859, local resident Champion Osborne donated two acres of land for the construction of a new sanctuary. His wife Laurcatte, however, was furious.

Old Gap Creek Baptist

Jim Dollar of Indian Land, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Nonetheless a new log church was built where the congregation’s graveyard currently sits, and a road was cut leading to the site. Champion died soon after the new church was finished, and Laurcatte tried to prohibit members from entering the church property – one of her relatives even helped her block the road. Members cut a new road to the church, and a resulting lawsuit ruled in favor of the congregation. Unfortunately the ruling did not come until 1870, and the second church had burned two years earlier, in 1868.

A third church replaced the burned building. During these years worship at Gap Creek Baptist was held just one weekend a month, though services were offered on both Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday services were informal, allowing casual or work attire, while Sunday services demanded, well, one’s “Sunday Best.”

Around the beginning of the twentieth century the third church was supplanted with a frame building, which lasted until 1928 when this charming sanctuary with its elegant stained glass imported from France was constructed. Gap Creek Baptist’s membership had increased greatly, and a larger church was warranted. Businessman John Hart from Spartanburg, who had spent his formative years in the area, was instrumental in securing the funds for the new church. He is interred within the churchyard.

This sanctuary served the congregation of Gap Creek Baptist Church until recent years, when a larger, more contemporary church was desired to accommodate an ever-increasing membership. In 2008, the first worship service was held on Easter Sunday in the present building, which sits across the street from the former church and graveyard. The congregation still uses the older church from time to time.

Plan Your Trip: Old Gap Creek Baptist Church

Where is Old Gap Creek Baptist Church located?
Address: 381 Gap Creek Road, Marietta, SC 29661
GPS Coordinates: 35.126843,-82.524026
What else should I see?
Jones Gap State Park 3.8 miles
Cleveland Fish Hatchery 4.4 miles
Symmes Chapel 4.7 miles
Pleasant Ridge Falls 5.9 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Churches
    Old Gap Creek Baptist Church Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Christ Episcopal ChurchChrist Church Fairview Church in Greenville, SCFairview Presbyterian Church Reedy River PresbyterianReedy River Presbyterian Gowensville First BaptistGowensville First Baptist Church Grace Church, GreenvilleGrace Church Downtown

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved