In May of 1902, Mr. Ransom Avinger recognized the need for a Baptist Church in the Cordesville Community, At his request, his wife dispatched invitations to the village folk to assemble themselves on the next afternoon at the village schoolhouse to consider the building of a Baptist church. The following afternoon, the spiritually warm hearts of six people would lay the foundation of what would soon be a vital part of the community. The six people were Rev. J.E. Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Ranson E.M. Avinger, J.C. Morrow, Mrs. P.D. Maree, and Mrs. P.E. Myers. As can best be determined from the records, four men were acknowledged as the leaders in the construction of the original church. Ransom Avinger was the construction superintendent, Rev. J.E. Edwards, P.E. Myers, and George Avinger (Ransom's brother) supervised the building program. George Avinger succeeded his brother as superintendent when on December 22, 1902, some eight months before the completion of the church, Mr. Ransom Avinger was called home to be with his Lord.
The church was constructed on land donated by Ransom Avinger and built of timber which was cut and hauled from Brick House Plantation to George Avinger's sawmill. Most of the hand-hewn timber was yellow pine and the shigles were of cypress, which had been hand made by Irvin Thomas. The original church edifice was near the present site but faced Umbria Road.
On August 31, 1902, this work of Christian love and great sacrifice was solemnly dedicated to teh service of our Lord. The Rev. Hugh F. Oliver delivered the dedicatory sermon using a Bible presented to the church by Mrs. G. W. Avinger. The Bible, now some 120 years old, though frayed and worn, is still in existence at this time and is displayed on the third Sunday of October, during our annual homecoming service. The Charter members of the church are presumed to have been: Mr. and Mrs. George Avinger, Mr. and Mrs. Ransom Avinger, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Morrow, Mr. and Mrs. P.D. Maree, Mr. and Mrs. P.E. Myers, Sr., Mrs Dyrena Patrick, Miss Daisy Maree, Miss Julia Maree, and Miss Connie Morrow. Followng the dedication the church was duly constituted. A declaration of faith and church covenant were adopted, and the Rev. Hugh F. Oliver was called as the first pastor.
The Church became a focal point of many memorable events in the community and provided a place to share God's work and fellowship, but as time went by, the church suffered a period of silence. This silence occurred sometime in the early 1920's, after several pastors had served their Lord. Interest in the things of God began to wane and the church closed its doors for some six to eight years. In 1931, Mr. Reuben Pierce and family moved to the area and sought a proper church home. Mr. Pierce approached Mrs. Dyrena Patrick and interest was aroused in reopening the Cordesville First Baptist Church doors.
Mr. Pierce, mrs. Patrick, and her mother, Mrs. Geralding Price (the former Mrs. G. W. Avinger) visited Rev. W. Edgar West, Sr of the Moncks Corner Church to seek his help reviving the Baptist Church here. The building was in a state of decay, teh foundation was in sad shape, the roof sagged at teh peak, and the windows were broken. Mr. West mae an appeal to the State Board, which responded with fifty dollars ($50) to aid in reclaiming the building.
These new leaders began to revive the people of the community and they became active in teh renovation of their church. This revival of spirit and devotion, brought about the reopening of the church on the third Sunday of August 1941, some 28 years after the dedication of the original church. Mr. West delivered the first sermon. Large crowds attended and twenty (20) members were added to the church. By the end of the year, some forty-eight (48) members had been added. A Sunday School and BYPU were organized. Mr. West continued in the service of his Lord at Cordesville until it became necessary for him to retire in 1939. This was due to an automobile accident which left him crippled. Again, the church doors were closed for a period of two years.
In 1941, Rev. A.D. Prentiss became pastor. Since his arrival, the Cordesville First Baptist Church has maintained regular services, although at times in different buildings. In 1946, the Sunday School increased immensely, and it became necessary to add two rooms. The growth coninued, and in 1948 two additional rooms were added. Sometime during the years of 1948-1952, the church was moved to face Highway 402 unde rthe pastorship of Rev. D. K. Murray. In 1954, plans for the parsonage were made and completed. In 1956, it was dedicated at the cost of $3,200.00. The erection of the parsonage was accomplished during the pastorship of the Rev. James Alverson who served from 1953-1958.
During January and February of 1960, Rev. Joe W. Metts served as interim pastor. He was called as teh full-time pastor in March of 1960. The church requested the First Baptist Church of Moncks Corner to ordain him. This was done on March 27, 1960. It was during his pastorship that the church unfolded a building proram, which included the recreation building completed in 1960 and the smaller building which is lcoated behind the Sanctuary.The central air conditioning, heating, and centeral vacuum system were originally housed in this building. Rev. Mett's final accomplishment was evident in his people's erection of the educational building.
On June 1, 1966, Rev. Jack Goodwin was called to pastorship from St. John's Bethel Baptist Church of the Screven Association. Upon his arrival, he found the Chuch in a building program whcih included a new sanctuary. Mr. R.C. Tanner and Mr. Philip N. McKnight drew the architectual plas and presented them as a gift to the church. A building committee was chosen, and the project began in November 1967.
