History

Brick Baptist Church’s heritage is woven into the rich tapestry of African American culture and history of the South Carolina Sea Islands. Built by slaves in 1855, Brick Baptist Church is the oldest church on St. Helena Island. The two-story building is constructed of mortar and bricks, built around a spacious sanctuary. An open balcony was used for the slaves who stood during the services, always out of view of the white plantation owners who sat on the lower level.

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In 1861, after the day of the “big gun shoot”, the fall of Port Royal and the insurgency of the Yankees signaled the end of a brutal era in American history—the end of the Civil War and slavery. Later, when the government sold abandoned plantations and land holdings to freed slaves, Brick Baptist Church was turned over to 8000 former slaves as their place of worship. There were more than 1000 members, with more being converted and baptized every three months.

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The legacy of Brick Baptist Church is closely connected to historical Penn School, established as one of the first schools for freed slaves. In October 1862, Laura M. Towne and Ellen Murray, Penn School co-founders, opened their school at The Oaks Plantation with nine students, and later moved to Brick Baptist Church when enrollment increased to 132 students. Charlotte Forten, the first African-American teacher, taught at Penn School until 1864.

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For more than a century and a half, Brick Baptist Church has endured and prospered through the word of God. The church has also served as a catalyst for change and a cornerstone of religious and family values. Brick Baptist Church is focused on becoming a teaching church, offering religious instruction for youth, establishing foreign missions, building community outreach, increasing membership, designing a scripturally-based vision, and endeavoring to spread the gospel throughout the world.

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2009 Rev. Murray organized the Buildings Committee to oversee construction of a new sanctuary

2010 Celebration of the church’s 155th Anniversary, Deacons Ministry led a pledge drive to kick off the Building Fund Capital Campaign. Women's Ministry was reorganized and held its first Women’s Empowerment Summit. The Men held their “First Joy Night” program

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2011 Building Committee continues with fundraising efforts supported by the membership. The Men’s Ministry 2nd year of Joy Night and the Women’s Ministry 2nd year Women’s Retreat was held. 2012 The Honored designation of Chairman Emeritus was given to Deacon Marvin Ladson and Deacon Emeritus to Deacon Albert Atkins, Sr. for their service. 2013 Men’s Ministry takes lead as major fundraising ministry by having a monthly “Breakfast on the Green” each first Saturday. Men’s Chorus voted on by membership to be the second Sunday choir. Sister Kathleen G. Daise presented with proclamation by the state of South Carolina and resolution by the church in honor of her 100th birthday. (November 1st) 2014 Brick is inducted into the Penn Center, Incorporated Eleventh 1862 Circle Gala. (April) The Women’s Ministry starts two fundraising projects to benefit the Building Fund: their Tea Campaign and spaghetti dinner sales (July). Sister Mary Snipe recognized with a proclamation by the State of South Carolina and a resolution by the church in honor of her 100th birthday. (September 4th)

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2015 Brick celebrated its 160th Historic year with a yearlong calendar of events to include all of the churches that came out of Brick as the “Mother Church”. Each Ministry hosted an evening of worship service. Rev. Murray celebrated his 14th anniversary as a separate service in the month of June. The Women and Men Ministries continue their fundraising efforts to support our new church plans. 2016 Membership voted to establish a formal Scholarship Fund. Deacon Philander McDomick shared his calling to join the ministry. Membership gave approval for exploratory search in consideration of being designated a National Historic Monument Site by the National Park Service. A community forum was held at Brick to share their support or disagreement for the sites being considered in Beaufort County hosted by Congressman James Clyburn and the National Park Services. Overflow crowd with total support for the designation of the four sites. Membership voted to approve the conservation and preservation easement to the National Park Services.

2017 Membership voted to approve a conservation and preservation easement to the National Park Service for the church. President Obama signed the proclamation designating Brick Baptist and other sites as National Historic Monuments. (Jan. 12th) Licensure service as a minister was held for Philander K. McDomick and he was designated an Associate Minister. (Mar. 2nd)

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2018 Fellowship with St. Helena Baptist resumed due to Hurricane cancellation. We helped celebrate the milestone 100th anniversary of Orange Grove Baptist Church. Bathrooms made handicapped accessible. Rotating Charleston Emanuel Remembrance 9 program held at Brick (June 15th)

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2019 At the July business meeting, the membership voted to change from a monthly meeting to a quarterly meeting during January, April, July and October. A significant donation was made to the Dorian Bahamas Relief Fund to aid the people due to the devastating hurricane. The church decided to reprint copies of the “95th Anniversary Year Book” as a fundraiser and keepsake of its historical legacy. Three new Trustees were elected: Queen Esther Pinckney, John C. Myers and Peter Singleton March 19th.

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2020 March 15th service started with an overview and instructions from the Pastor about the Coronavirus pandemic predicted for the nation. It was the last Sunday we were physically together as a congregation. March 22nd was the first Sunday that we began to live stream our services via Facebook. It was started at Rev. Murray’s home, moved to the Clarence B. Johnson Fellowship Hall, June 7th and finally to the sanctuary, October 18th with the Deacons and Trustees in attendance. The sanctuary was painted in August. Several members died as a result of the Covid-19 virus.

2021 The church continues to livestream the services with the capabilities of audio for those without the capacity to access Facebook during the pandemic that has prevented the ability to assemble together. In honor of the Pastor and First Lady Murray’s 20th anniversary, a drive thru celebration was held on June 6th. On September 19th, the 166th church anniversary was held with Ebenezer Baptist Church and Rev. Leonard Ritter as the speaker.

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2022 In February a metal roof was replaced on the Fellowship Hall and painting on the interior and exterior done. April 3rd is the return to the sanctuary for the membership from the Covid-19 pandemic. On July 10th Jonathan Brown and Zanda Watson were ordained as Deacons with their wives, Helene Brown and Carrie Pressley Watson as Deaconesses. Two new Trustees were elected on August 8th, Katrina Long and Jerome Simmons

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The Study House was moved on October10, 2023 to its original site as determined by using ground penetrating radar.  The Silvers Ministry sponsored a trip to the International African American Museum on October 17, 2023 in Charleston for its inaugural opening year.  New windows in the Clarence B. Johnson Fellowship were installed by the Trustee and Deacons Ministries in the fall of 2023.  Margaret Simmons was voted in as a new Trustee after recommendation to the membership in October.  The NPS replaced the HVAC system and the awnings for the sanctuary as per our easement agreement. The Senior Choir resumes their Christmas Dessert Concert on December 9th with choir members from all groups.

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The 2024 Budget was approved by the membership at the January business meeting. In 2024 the Ushers Ministry resumes their Easter Sunrise Service with Breakfast. One year as April of 2024 that the Second Helpings Food Distribution is held at Brick on Fridays to aid those families with food shortages.  Blinds for the new windows were installed to complete a portion of the renovation for Fellowship Hall.  23rd Pastor and First Lady Murray’s Anniversary celebration was held on June 2nd.  The Church received the keys to the newly restored Study House upon its completion in August.  Silvers Banquet resumed on September 7th.  The church anniversary three night revival services leading into the final Sunday service is back from closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Tuesday through Thursday, September 10 – 12, 2024. 

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2025 Beginning in May, the church will have monthly activities leading up to the celebration of the church’s 170th Anniversary in September. The theme will be “Honoring Our Past, Welcoming Our Future.”

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Proudly affiliated with the Old Ashley Association