History of Renfrew

In the early years of the Renfrew Mill Community in Travelers Rest, SC, several residents felt the leading of God to start a Baptist church. A meeting was called on March 14, 1929 which led to the birth of Renfrew Baptist Church. The church was officially organized a few weeks later with fourteen chartered members.

A pastor was called but with only one church building in the community, the new congregation shared its’ meeting space with the local Methodists. The two churches worshipped together and the two pastors shared the pulpit. One pastor would open with scripture reading and prayer, and the other pastor preached the sermon. They rotated duties each week.

In 1941, a parcel of land was donated and Renfrew Baptist built its first church building on Renfrew Avenue by the next year. Realizing the need for Sunday school classrooms, a new educational building was constructed adjacent to the auditorium in 1963.

As the membership continued to grow, the congregation decided to purchase ten acres of land on Highway 276. In 1986 after several years of prayer, planning and construction, a prayer for a new facility became a reality. On June 8th, 1986, the three story building which included an auditorium, Sunday school classrooms, and fellowship hall was dedicated to the glory of God. At the turn of the twenty-first century, Renfrew Baptist Church was averaging 550-600 people in two Sunday morning worship services. The facilities were crowded and expansion was essential for future ministry growth. In 2003, a large facility was constructed that contained a gymnasium which would be used as a gym and auditorium, a large fellowship hall, and added educational and discipleship classrooms.

God has greatly blessed Renfrew and its heart for reaching and helping people. Following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, our vision must stay the same – Loving and Caring for the people of both the congregation and the community.