West Columbia Church of Christ

          1701 Augusta Road     West Columbia, SC  29169

Church History

Around 30 AD Jesus told Peter and the other disciples that on the rock of their faith he would build his church (Matthew 16:18). The church Jesus established then exists today in congregations of the churches of Christ around the world, of which we at West Columbia are just one. Each congregation is autonomous, yet they are remarkably similar. That is because they have no creed book but the bible; no earthly central organizations or head--only Christ.

The church of Christ in West Columbia probably began meeting in 1938 or 1939 in the home of Carl and Lillian Dillard. In 1940 Mellie Hare, Blanche Richbourg and Edith Hite were baptized, followed in 1941 by Blanche Amick and Rosa Lee Brazell.

In 1942 the church began meeting in the home of Tillman and Mellie Hare. After three years the brethren purchased two houses on Meeting Street and remodeled one into a place of worship where Floyd Wright was the preacher for several years. When he left, brethren in other congregations helped carry on the work.

In 1956 Ralph Henley came to preach and began a building program. He stayed two and one-half years, during which time the auditorium on Augusta Road was completed and the church grew considerably. Brother Jim Woodruff succeeded Brother Henley and stayed three years. During that time the educational building was completed and more growth was experienced.

Brother Woodruff was followed by W.G. Gantt who remained six years. C.R. Franks was the minister from 1970 to 1979 and was followed by Dennis Johnson. Harvey Allen served as assistant minister and worked in youth activities for a time during the tenures of both Brothers Franks and Johnson.

In 1985 Dennis Johnson returned to India to replace his father in missionary work and Rudy Senn, the son of the late Doc and Vera Senn, returned to West Columbia from Tennessee to take up the work. Rudy moved on to North Carolina in 1989 at which time the present minister, Ernie Richards came, with his family, to do the work of an evangelist here in West Columbia.

Renovations were made to the building beginning March 1, 2003 and for the next nine months, the church met at the American Legion Hut on Naples Avenue in Cayce. The original buildings were over 50 years old and served us well. We hope the new building, built from the shells of the two older buildings, will serve us just as well for the next 50 years.

We pray the Lord will bless the work here that we may add many more souls to Christ and much more good news to this page.

                                                 1988                                                                                                   2005

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4