Our History

Also, depicted on Allendale’s Website

Our church was organized in 1850, with a band of Christian worshippers during slavery. The colored served under the rules along with whites; a church known as the Concord Missionary Christian Church. Its Pastor was Reverend Manago Lawton.

A host of the colored people organized a Bush harbor; after some years, they settled in the spot where the church now stands; naming themselves Ervington Missionary Baptist Colored Church.

The first Pastor was Reverend Soloman Edwards. The church began to grow, and every member had a mind to work faithfully in the church.

As the years went by, several godly men served as pastor. They were:

Reverend Sciscora Roberts, Reverend Jonas Ferguson, Reverend Washington Carter and Reverend Willis Robinson. These men served for a short period of time.

In 1920 Reverend Arthur Chisholm was called. Under his administration, he reorganized the church and laid the cornerstone. Many souls were saved and added to the church. After three years, Reverend Chisholm died.

Reverend O.C. Parker was called and installed. The Church grew spiritually and financially.

Reverend N.H. Smith of Augusta, GA. was called and installed. He was a great leader. Under his leadership he organized the Usher Board. He put the youth to work and included them in the church growth. Reverend Smith died in 1934.

Reverend L.R. Payton from Orangeburg, SC was called and installed. He was a spiritual leader and a gospel preacher. He served faithfully for 35 years.

In 1965, Reverend Sidney Williams was called and installed. Under his administration and leadership, Ervington Baptist Church was moved and rebuilt in its present location.

Reverend Williams ordained four deacons. They were: Deacon Warring Jackson, Jr., Deacon Williams E. Robinson, Deacon William Holmes and Deacon Morris Holmes. Many souls were added to the church, with Reverend Williams pastoring for seventeen years.

Reverend Cornell Mitchell was called. He pastored for one year, while serving on active duty in the military. During his short stay, the church was inspired with his spiritual leadership.

In 1980, Reverend William H. Burison of Fairfax, SC was called and installed as pastor. He led the flock with continual growth for 38 years. Members were restored back to the church, baptized, and more have come to the church through the Christian experience, under Pastor Burison's leadership. The church was blessed with an Educational Building that included two class rooms, a fellowship hall, kitchen, baptismal pool and pastor's study.

The "One Night Old Time Religion Revival”, and Homecoming events were born, to lead up to our Church Anniversary every year.

Pastor Burison ordained five deacons: Deacon Melvin Riley, Deacon David Riley, Deacon Samuel Hawkins, Deacon James Washington and the late Deacon Henry Sabb.

Many souls were saved and the Lord added to the church daily.

In 1990, two acres of land was donated to the church, and some of the members donated stained glass windows in the Sanctuary. The church yard was paved in 1998.

Our Vacation Bible School was established in June 2000.

In 2002, the Lord blessed Ervington to enlarge the Fellowship Hall area. A copy machine, computer desk and tables were purchased.

The W.H. Burison Choir was formed, as well as the Annual Family and Friends Day Celebration in August.

In January 2004, A Wednesday Bible Study Class was established. In the summer of 2004, a computer was donated by Bro. Larry Sabb.

In 2006, more tables and chairs were purchased.

In March 2007, the multi-purpose building was completed.

In 2009, a new P.A. system was purchased. In 2010, we invested in an alarm sysem for the church.

Due to declining health, Reverend William H. Burison advised the church in March 2017 that he would continue to serve until a new pastor was called.

Reverend Burison served the Lord, tirelessly, faithfully and with great compassion for his flock. In wisdom he instructed us and in gentleness, he led us.

On Sunday, March 25, 2018, First Lady Inez A. Burison went home to be with the Lord. Reverend Burison ended his thirty-eight (38) years Pastorship in April 2018.

Ervington Missionary Baptist Church completed its sixteen months search in August 2018 and Reverend James Earl Reynolds was called as Interim Pastor.

A Meet and Greet was held for Reverend Reynolds and his family on August 26, 2018.

Reverend James E. Reynolds was installed as Ervington Missionary Baptist Church thirteenth (13th) Pastor in its 168 years.

Major improvements to the church began in the summer of 2018, with the installation of a metal roof and gutter system and has continued under Pastor Reynold's tenure.

New improvements to the sanctuary at a cost of over $100K got underway in late summer of 2019 and were completed by late November 2019.

Our 170th anniversary celebration was reduced due to the coronavirus (Covid-19), which was declared a national pandemic on January 19, 2020. The virus caused limited gathering of all kinds; however, Pastor Rev. James Reynolds believed that we continue our scheduled services and abbreviated programs for those who wished to attend, with the church leadership agreeing. The church initiated an "Hour of Prayer" for the community, on the first Wednesday at noon of each month, beginning on September 02, 2020. This program has continued through 2021.

The Ervington family is committed to forging ahead and initiating new programming to reach our youth. The church expects to expand services to hold series of workshops in order to receive input from youths of all ages and develop a path forward to increase their engagement, input and involvement with this pivotal group of future worshipers and leaders in the future. Also, Ervington saw a significant growth in tithes during the Pandemic and has made strives to improve the grounds and upgrade the safety and security of the membership and property.

During 2021, trees were removed from the perimeter, cemetery areas, replaced with new palm trees, and a complete security, safety system with cameras and Internet/wifi installed throughout the church and property.

Finally, sadly the Ervington family has suffered like the rest of our nation with the loss of seven members during the pandemic period.