A house RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor the congregation and church leaders of Nathan Temple Fire Baptized Holiness Church, and to congratulate them on the one hundredth anniversary of ministry in the Hartsville community.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Nathan Temple Fire Baptized Holiness Church is celebrating its centennial anniversary on April 23, 2023; and

Whereas, in 1923, a group of spirit-filled Christians, Reverend Nathaniel Byrd, Brother Prince Taylor, Mother Mary CabbagestaIk-Taylor, Sister Maggie Spenser, Brother Roosevelt Ings, and Sister Hattie Young, started a house-to-house prayer meeting on Red Street, now Swift Creek Road.  People traveled miles to worship in these services, and many souls were saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost and Fire.  As attendance increased, the leaders sought out a larger place to worship; and

Whereas, in the early 1920s, a group of members had withdrawn their membership from Jerusalem Baptist Church and built a Second Baptist Church on the site known as "In the Field," now called Myrtle Street.  When membership of Second Baptist Church declined, the church property was for sale; meanwhile, the house-to-house prayer meeting was moved to this location; and

Whereas, in 1923, Elder B. B. Bonner came to Hartsville and organized the church, named Nathan Temple Fire Baptized Holiness Church after its founder and first pastor, Reverend Nathaniel Byrd.  The first ordained deacons were Brother Cabbagestalk, Brother Burley Dewitt, Sr., and Brother Roosevelt Ings.  The pastor and members of Nathan Temple purchased the property in 1923 from Tim Hopkins.  Brother Roosevelt Ings served first as deacon chairman, followed by Brother Burley Dewitt, Sr.; and

Whereas, presiding bishops of the church included Bishops William Edward Fuller, Sr.; William Edward Fuller, Jr.; and Nathaniel Roach.  The present bishop is Bishop Patrick L. Frazier, Jr.  Presiding elders have been Elder B. B. Bonner, Elder Nixon, Elder Pinckney, Elder J. W. Lattimore, Elder B. C. Campbell, Elder I. S. Simmons, Elder C. W. Williams, Elder Henry Cobbs, Elder Henry Colough, Elder Charles L. Frazier; and the present elder is Dr. Robert Shackelford; and

Whereas, the church's pastors have included Reverends Nathaniel Byrd; Hills; H. Ridgeway; Judge Williams; J. J. Martin; Sister Ruby Windley; C. R. Smith; J. H. Jefferson; Lewis; A. G. Shields; T.P. Pearson who served twenty years; Dr. D. L. Heard who served thirty-four years; Elder Henry Colough; Elder Charles Frazier; and presently Pastor Dr. Robert Shackelford; and

Whereas, under the leadership of Reverend C. R. Smith, the church was remodeled and enlarged.  The dining hall was added while Reverend T. P. Pearson was pastor, assisted by his devoted wife Sister Oree Pearson.  Through the untiring leadership of Reverend D. L. Heard, who was appointed pastor in November 1970, the church was remodeled and a new roof was installed on the dining hall. In 1982, God gave her a vision of a new Nathan Temple.  With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, all the members worked together, and this task was accomplished.  This new church building has the following names inscribed on its cornerstone: Deacons Sylvester Edwards; James McCollough; Ervin Gee; Jerry Ridges, Sr.; James Hough; and Arthur Coe, Sr.; and Deaconess Mae F. Scott; and

Whereas, Dr. I. D. Hodge is presently the longest life member of the church today.  Mother Pauline Gee is the oldest member of Nathan Temple.  The members are grateful for the strong Christian heritage of those who have gone before them, and they trust that their history may be a guiding light to the future generations; and

Whereas, seeing that they have come this far by faith, the congregation will continue to believe God and to trust in the words of Matthew 16:18: "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the congregation and church leaders of Nathan Temple Fire Baptized Holiness Church, and congratulate them on the one hundredth anniversary of ministry in the Hartsville community.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Pastor Dr. Robert Shackelford.

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