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Great Swamp Baptismal Site

SC PICTURE PROJECT 2 Comments

SC Picture Project / Jasper County / Great Swamp Baptismal Site

Great Swamp Baptist Church in Ridgeland formed in 1845. Members first met in a brush arbor beside Great Swamp Creek, seen here, which served as the congregation’s namesake. Soon afterwards, a frame structure was built to house the congregation, which formed when 17 people left Sardis Primitive Baptist Church. Though the new church had a place of worship, baptisms still took place in the creek behind the sanctuary. People from Great Swamp Baptist Church as well as other neighboring congregations continued to be baptized in these waters until the 1960s.

Great Swamp Ridgeland

Stephen Michalski of Summerville, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Today the site is commemorated with the statue of an angel, a marker denoting the site’s historical significance. It provides a place to sit and pray, meditate, or simply enjoy the sylvan sanctuary.

Great Swamp Angel

Stephen Michalski of Summerville, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

In 2009 the family of Royce Malphrus dedicated the marker seen below along the creek bank. It reads, Jesus said, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

Great Swamp Baptismal Marker

Stephen Michalski of Summerville, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The congregation of Great Swamp Baptist Church remains active today. The present sanctuary was built in 1909 with modifications and updates subsequently added.

Reflections on the Great Swamp Baptismal Site


Contributor Stephen Michalski says of his experience discovering the site, “Crossing a small bridge on a secondary road in the country, I almost wrecked the truck when I saw an angel out in the woods. I found the trail, walked back, and took it in. I wonder how many people have been baptized here since 1845.”

Plan Your Trip: Great Swamp Baptismal Site

Where is Great Swamp Baptismal Site located?
Address: Malphrus Road, Ridgeland, SC 29936
GPS Coordinates: 32.495960,-81.018354
What else should I see?
Jasper County Courthouse 3.4 miles
Church of the Holy Trinity 5.7 miles
Euhaw Baptist Church 5.8 miles
Switzerland 7.7 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Churches
  • Ridgeland Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Rivers
    Great Swamp Baptismal Site Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Asher says

      April 30, 2019 at 5:15 AM

      Juliette Malphrus i would like to ask you some questions about the baptism and the pictures if you dont mind. My email is ashertribble2001@gmail.com

      Reply
    2. Juliette Malphrus Daring says

      April 13, 2017 at 8:00 AM

      I was baptized in “Old Dam”, Great Swamp I think in 1957. I was 11 yrs old. I have the picture of my baptism.. Anklet on statue was added for my honor by Royce Malprhus..a favorite cousin of mine…..

      Reply

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    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.

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