A Historic Landmark Reduced to Ashes
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, a cherished historical landmark in the community, has been completely destroyed after a devastating fire swept through the building. The incident occurred just after 4 p.m. on Saturday, and even more than 48 hours later, smoke still lingers in the air, a somber reminder of the loss.
The church, which dates back to just after the Civil War, is one of the oldest in the county. It was originally organized in 1869 by Reverend Daniel Jessie and has served as a spiritual and cultural hub for the community for over 150 years. The structure itself, built in 1910, was bricked up many years later, but its significance as a historical site remains undeniable.
As a historian, Brian Gandy, who works with Darlington County, expressed deep sorrow over what has been lost. “Thinking about what we have lost historically speaking, that structure was built in 1910,” he said. “Of course, that church is over 115 years old. They have been ministering in that community from that period forward.”
Gandy emphasized that Pleasant Grove Baptist was one of the few churches in the county that had not archived its documents or photos with the commission. This means that any unique records kept inside the church are now gone, potentially forever.
“Unfortunately, Pleasant Grove was one of those churches that did not share that material with us,” Gandy explained. “So as of right now, all of those records, that substantiate all of their church meetings, membership, traditional memberships, folks that have gone on and died, and all of that material is now lost.”
Firefighters arrived at the scene to find more than half of the church’s sanctuary already consumed by flames. The extent of the damage was immediate and severe, leaving nothing intact within the building.
Now, both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and SLED are investigating the cause of the fire. While the exact origin is still unknown, authorities are working diligently to uncover the truth behind the tragedy.
The church’s pastor has already spoken about the future, expressing hope that once the investigation is complete, they can rebuild on the same property. However, there are aspects of the church that cannot be replaced.
Irreplaceable Losses
Beyond the physical destruction, the loss of historical records is particularly painful. These documents contained invaluable information about the early members of the congregation, their contributions, and the church’s ministry over the years. Gandy described it as a tragic loss.
“What they will never get back is they will never get back those records and documents of those early folks who gathered together to form that church,” he said. “The contributions that have been made throughout that 150-year history, what they did ministerially, the record of what they’ve done, all of that has been lost, and that’s tragic.”
In addition to the historical items, the church’s food pantry, which plays a vital role in addressing food insecurity in the area, is now closed until further notice. Many families rely on this service, making the loss even more impactful for the local community.
Officials continue to monitor the building for hot spots, but they do not expect the fire to rekindle. Despite the devastation, the community is rallying together to support one another during this difficult time. The destruction of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is not just a loss of a building—it is a loss of history, memory, and a vital part of the community’s identity.
