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Red Bank Baptist Church

SC PICTURE PROJECT 2 Comments

SC Picture Project / Saluda County / Red Bank Baptist Church

Red Bank Baptist in Saluda is the oldest church in Saluda County and houses one of the oldest Baptist congregations in South Carolina. Founded in February of 1784 – just after the Revolutionary War – members initially met outdoors beneath a brush arbor, as was common with early churches. Later that year, the congregation built a log meeting house for its services on land donated by Robert Newport. That church was followed by a wooden frame structure in 1856.

Red Bank Baptist

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

In 1911 the present Greek Revival church was built, designed by architect Joseph H. Casey, who also designed much of Anderson University. The church serves the oldest congregation in the Ridge Association, a Southern Baptist group comprised of 22 churches from western South Carolina.

Red Bank Church Marker

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Importantly, two of the founding families of this church — Mark Butler Travis and his wife Jemima Stallworth Travis, and James and Sophia Bonham — had sons who fought and lost their lives in the Battle of the Alamo. In fact, William Barrett Travis and James Butler Bonham are considered among the battle’s foremost heroes. Learn more about all seven South Carolinians who fought in the Battle of the Alamo.

Plan Your Trip: Red Bank Baptist Church

Where is Red Bank Baptist Church located?
Address: 309 East Church Street, Saluda, SC 29138
GPS Coordinates: 34.002083,-81.766290
What else should I see?
Saluda Theatre 0.5 mile
St. Paul United Methodist 0.5 mile
Travis and Bonham Memorial 0.5 mile
Saluda County Courthouse 0.5 mile
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Churches
  • Saluda Historic Sites
    Red Bank Baptist Church Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mae Langford Everitt says

      March 7, 2018 at 11:02 PM

      A most important bit of information about this church has been neglected. The parents of both Wm. Barrett Travis and James Butler Bonham were founding families of this church. You may recognize these two men who lost their lives at the Alamo.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        March 8, 2018 at 12:53 AM

        Thank you so much for letting us know! We went ahead and added their names into the text.

        Reply

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    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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    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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