African Americans from Camden First Baptist Church formed

Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. It was a dream, that began in the hearts and minds of our Founding Father's. 

On  January 22, 1866 only a few months after the last shot had been fired  ending the Civil War, 106 charter members assembled on the very site  that  Mt. Moriah is located today, for the purpose of organizing a  church of their own. These men and women came armed with letters of dismissal from the Camden Baptist Church (now known as Camden First  Baptist Church), Camden, SC and Swift Creek Baptist Church, (Boykin Mill  Pond), Boykin, SC,  about eight miles South of Camden. During the Slave  Era, the original members of Mt. Moriah had been permitted to attend  those churches and sit upstairs in the balconies. 

To  assist in organizing Mt. Moriah properly, officers of the Camden  Baptist Church came to aid in planning the independent church.  Help  also came from the American Baptist Home Mission Society by Rev. S. H.  Corey and the Rev. James Hamilton.  The initial meetings  and church  services were held in a converted blacksmith shop located behind the  present site of Mt. Moriah. The founders met at 11:00 AM on the first  day and at 3:30 PM again on the same day. At the first day's meeting  a committee of five was appointed to write the church constitution, the  articles of faith and plan an agenda. On Monday, January 23, 1866 the  founding fathers met again. At this meeting they adopted the  constitution and chose the name Mount Moriah. At all of the early  meetings of our church, business or regular services, prayer meetings  were always held.

​In  the early 1870s plans were made to build a new church and leave the  dilapidated blacksmith shop they  had been worshipping in for several  years. In order to build the new church, each member was asked to pay  according to his ability to pay. Some men pledged $l.00, some 75 cents,  some 50 cents and some 25 cents, but all members pledged to help build  the new church. In 1889 the Church was completed.

The  first officers of the church were Deacons: Josiah McGirt, Reuben Brown  and Hardy Kennedy. The first clerk was March Martin. The first  evangelist was Hermon Jones. Our church grew rapidly from the very  beginning. Many new members were taken in the church and baptized. On  February 10, 1866, less than a month after our church was organized 16  members were baptized, and on May 7, twenty-eight more people were  baptized. Rev. Boykin, who believed that Christ was baptized in a  running stream, insisted that all his members  be likewise baptized. All  of the early members were baptized in the Factory Mill Pond on Dicey  Ford Road. 

Our original members appointed the first janitor, Mr. Guest, May 13,  1871; his salary was $1.00 per month. The first dues were 10 cents per  Sunday for men and 5 cents for women.

​In  1867 the Sunday School was organized. The first teachers were March  Martin, who taught the boys and Sarah Cantey who taught the girls. The  Sunday School has been in continuous operation since its beginning and  plays a major role in preparing our young people lives for Christian  service in our church and community.  In 1951 during the Pastoralship of  Rev. J. C. Wright, the church continued to grow, and much progress was  made. New pews were installed, new furniture was installed in the pulpit  and a new Hammond Pipe Organ was bought. The church was completely  renovated.  On January 5, 1956, the interior of the church was destroyed  by fire. The membership was  shocked, crestfallen, discouraged, but not  down-hearted. Rev. Wright, who was pastor, officers and members began  to pray, dream, plan and pay in order to build a new Mt. Moriah. In  1957, a new tower was built. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. J. C.  Levy, a new steeple was erected. In 1983 Mt. Moriah Soup Kitchen was  established and the Center for Christian Education was built. ​

​Since  1999, Mt. Moriah has continued to grow under the leadership of our  Pastor, Rev. Dr. Patrick W. Wise, Rev. M. M. Young, Associate Minister,  and Rev. R. S. Warren, Youth Minister. Rev Warren was ordained December  13, 2009. He continued to service until he was called to pastor another  Church.  Many new programs and ministries have been organized and  implemented; such as Girl Talk, Five Year Planning Committee, Spiritual  Enrichment Ministry for Matured Adults, Men United in Christ,  Bus Ministry, New Church Bus, Keeping in Touch Ministry, Church Leaders  Retreat, Pulpit Assistant Ministry, Finance Committee, Church Website,  Church Email, Budget Committee, Computerized Church Financial Records,  Mid-day Holiday Service, Youth Hallelujah Sunday, Praise Jam, Cum Ba-Ya  Sunday, Drama Ministry. In 2010, a Computer Lab and class was organized  with seven  donated computers. Technology increased by adding a  "Call-One" Communication System, where we can contact all of our members  via telephone with just one call that calls all members. In 2012 the balcony in the rear of the church was completely renovated  with new floor, carpet, and furniture to accommodate the oncoming video  system. In 2012, technology continued to increase with state of the art  video projectors, screens and/or outlets in the Sanctuary, Classrooms,  Fellowship Hall and Soup Kitchen in order for services and videos to be  viewed in these areas.

 January  2016 Mt. Moriah turned the majestic age of 150, a Sesquicentennial  Year. Appreciation Celebrations for various community organizations such  as, Law Enforcement, and KC School District, Volunteer Workers, and  many other community organization were given each month of 2016. The  first appreciation was for our members, handmade Appreciation Gift Bags  were given to each member. July 2016  special "Prayer Room" was  dedicated and blessed. A Prayer Garden was established directly in front  of the Education Building. The Prayer Garden will be completed  and Blessed at a later date. 

 During  the 157 years, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church grew  under the capable  leadership of ten ministers namely, Rev. Monroe Boykin 1866-1901, his  son Rev. Jefferson  Whiters Boykin 1901-1951. Rev. Boykin, our first  pastor was not a minister at the time of his election, but a gardener.   He was elected as pastor because of his Christian character, superior  ability, moral character and experience. Rev. J. W. Boykin succeeded his  father as pastor and served Mt. Moriah, Camden, Kershaw County and our  state with great distinction for almost 50 years. During Rev. J. W.  Boykins's Pastorate, many pastors were ordained, many new churches were  built and the Mt. Moriah Baptist Association was organized. At one time  Rev. Boykin was acting as President of Morris College in Sumter,  SC. Rev. J. C. Wright 1951-1957, Rev. H. E. King 1957-1962, Rev. J. A.  Curry, 1963-1969, Rev. O. Scott, Sr. 1969-1978, Rev. E. R. Reed, (served  as Interim Pastor) 1978-1980, Rev. Dr. J. Charles Levy, 1980-1996, Rev.  Dr. K. Wyndell Rose 1997 - 1998,  and our present Shepherd, Rev. Dr. P. W. Wise, elected Pastor in 1999.​ 

On  October 29, 2017 God blessed Mt. Moriah with the installation  of  Reverend Dr. Derrick W. Wise, our First Elected Youth Pastor.   Moving forward...  2018-January 28  10:00 AM.  Our Anniversary Preacher  was Reverend Patrice McCleod Davis, the first woman preacher in our 152  years of existence. 

​​​God's  blessings keep flowing to Mt. Moriah in a very profound way as Malachi  Alexander, at the tender age of 17, gave his initial sermon on September  8, 2019. Minister Alexander was baptized in 2018 at Mt. Moriah and is  an active member of the Youth Ministry. The minister’s team also grew  with Minister Nancy Stewart. 

​Fast-forward  to years 2019 - 2022: Pandamic  Coronavirus still are raging in 2022,  presently caused over 900,000 deaths. The Coronavirus 19 came December  2019. Our Church was closed for inperson Service March 8 2020 - May  2021.  First outside drive-in service were held June 21, 2020 - November  15, 2021.  June 13, 2021 first service returned to in person  worshipping, following the CDC regulations of 6 feet apart. The church  was  professionally  sanitized. During the months of closing of our  church the church still continue to collect tithes and offerings on  Saturdays drive-up. Some members preferred to pay online or mail their  offerings.  Our church family continue to move on.  October 10, 2021 a  Drum Set was donated to our church; by Deacon and Deaconess George and  Debra K. Randolph. In loving memory of the late and former Minister of  Music, Mr. George Ralph Mills, Jr. and in recognition of our first  trained drummers: Jazzmin Devlin, Taylor Kelly and George H. Randolph,  IV. Also given in the recognition of the importance of worshipping the  Lord with music using musical instruments. In Psalm 33, the Psalmist  urges the congregation to praise God with music and dancing. Psalm 150:  In Context says: Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is  comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto Him with  the Psaltery and instruments of ten strings. Sing unto Him a new song;  play skillfully with a loud noise. Praise Him with the clashing of  cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals For the Word of the LORD is  right; and all His works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and  the judgement: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD .​None  of these accomplishments would be possible without the collective  teamwork of Mt. Moriah's members. The church solemnly acknowledges the  members and friends who have transitioned from earth to Glory; as well  as loved ones who are sick and shut-in, who supports the church  throughout their lives.  

Forward:  March 2023, Pastor Wise retired as Mt. Moriah's 10th Senior Pastor.   On  June 22, 2023 with our profound sympathy, Pastor, Rev. Dr. P. W.  Wise entered into his heavenly home. 

2024  - January 22: 158th Anniversary Carter Lee, who was 8 years old made  history as being the youngest student to bring an awesome welcome  address to our Anniversary Celebration congregation.

2024  - March 10 - Our 11th Senior Pastor, Rev. Roger L. Harris was  installed. Thanks be to God for sending such an awesome Pastor just in  time when we needed him most. On April 21, 2024, a new Cross, placed on  the outside of our church ground was dedicated. The Cross was donated by  Reggie & Frances Perry family.

Our church continues to practice the CDC Regulation guidelines. Services are continuing to be held inside in the sanctuary.  

TO GOD WE GIVE THE GLORY FOR ALL THE GREAT THINGS HE IS DOING HERE AT MT. MORIAH BAPTIST CHURCH - CAMDEN, SC