CHURCH HISTORY

The Rochelle Baptist Church was organized in 1888, Rev T.B. Fuller and Rev. J.C. Andrews constituting the presbytery of the occasion. There were 14 charter members. Rev. J.C. Andrews was the first pastor of the church. On July 6th, 1913 a vote was taken to have the pastorium and church fitted with electric lights and waterworks. On January 29th, 1916, a renewed effort was made to raise money for a new church building, and it was agreed to try to raise $10,000 in subscriptions, to be paid on January 1st, 1917. The elegant new church edifice of the Rochelle church was begun in the month of April, 1917. The finishing touches on the new building were completed on May 1st, 1918. The structure was designed by J.J. Baldwin of Anderson, S.C., an architect of note and ability. The total cost of the church without furnishings was $23,047. 
                  --written by Dr. Walter Mayberry Lee, pastor from Jan 1912 - May 1919