Hampton County, South Carolina, Welcome! Hampton County Churches

(note by FOC, I edited out the power line)

This church is located on Old Salkehatchie Road, Early Branch, Hampton County, SC. This picture was taken during 1992. It has had some renovations since then.  During the Civil War, surrounding neighbors needed a place to worship , the nearest churches left standing was Beaver Dam and Sandy Run, due to the hazardous conditions of traveling distances and forced searches at military checkpoints - families decided to worship near their homes so they met and worshiped outside on a hill near what was called Boggy Gut, which also served as a baptism by immersion. They soon constructed a one room frame building which was built by nearby timbers. Since they met atop a hil this presented the requirements of a safe and dry resting place for loved ones.   William and Martha Cook deed one acre of land to the church as noted on July 11, 1874. a year after they had decided to hold worship there.

To find out more about Mt. Olive, a book called FROM UNDER THE TREES - THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST HERITAGE OF MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH SOUTH CAROLINA.  BY HAZEL CAMPBELL SMITH - CHURCH HISTORIAN.

The cemetary plots are listed with names and dates, membership, and church minutes are included in this book.

****My ancestors donated the land and a lot of my ancestors are listed as membership during the early periods of the founding of this church - Carrol Deloach

Rev. Hamilton Dowling enlisted with the Whippy Swamp Guards. He was also the reverend of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Early Branch, Sc from 1891 -1894.

Provided by and copyright 2003 Yvonne Deloach

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