St. John 4-B Missionary Baptist Church has always been a phenomenon to the people and its community. It has been an integral and central place not only to worship but to also fellowship. Life in the 1940s was a little tough but one of the church deacons, Fred Conyers, was blessed to obtain a 1940s pickup truck. Deacon Conyers went around the neighborhood and community to pick up all the members and anyone who wanted to attend church but didn’t have a ride. Generally church services were held about twice monthly due to traveling and economic conditions. The Church Sexton arrived at the church early to start the fire in the wood burning stove and made sure that there was enough wood to last throughout the service to keep the church members warm. The death of a parishioner was announced by the tolling of the church bell. The church bell was rung several minutes to alert the community that someone in the church had passed away.
Trinity Missionary Baptist Church was a sister church and Mount Zion A.M.E. and other neighboring community churches always remained in fellowship with 4-B. Spring and fall revivals were held to rejuvenate the energy and faith of the people. The church had its own natural water fountain because a spring well sprung naturally from the earth behind the church. Annual picnics were held each year and the foods consisted of barbeque pig, homemade churned ice cream, flavored snow cones, homemade cakes and pies such as pound cakes, strawberry cakes, lemon cakes, sweet potato and coconut pies, and too many others to mention. The Morrisville Brass Band was always a staple at the picnics. Children as well as adults shouted (danced) to the joyous music featuring the big band sound. Brother Frank Footman was the spirit of the picnic with his jubilant dancing and he was Santa for our Christmas Cantata program each year. The church also sponsored an annual bus trip to Atlantic Beach, SC.
The church always maintained closeness and togetherness which extended beyond the walls of 4-B church. I can say that our community village certainly helped rear all of our children in the neighborhood. There were several community advisors: Mark (barbeque master) and Rena Moore, Isaac and Cora Montgomery, Blease and Marie Canty (sugar can, syrup and ear piercing specialist), Simon and Cleasie Mae Canty, Seal and Ida Mae York, Alex and Maggie Keels, and Samuel and Lelia Mae Conyers Gibson who were community and political advocates and farmers who donated the property for a community baseball and softball team. The community baseball and softball teams were the Greeleyville Pioneers and the Lady Pioneers. The Gibson’s built a snack shop for the social gatherings but it was later converted to a site for the community’s free lunch program. The Gibson’s also donated land for a small park that is still viable in the their community which is called Gibson Community Park.
Farming, gardening, hunting and fishing were the ways of life. The community has a loving, caring, free-will giving and bartering system with each family in the community. Almost all foods were organic and canned for the various seasons of the year. Garden exchanges and hunting and fishing catches were distributed to the various households without cost. Credit at the small-town stores in Greeleyville: Earl Farmer Grocery, H. Fox Department Store, Fred Joseph Department Store, Joseph Five and Dime, Mishoe Feed Mill, Wilder Furniture, Allen Furniture, Gene Mason Service Station, Albert Ard Gas and Convenience Store and Jacob Tisdale Barber Shop filled in any needs for the neighborhood household.
God sent Reverend Tyrone York, Sr. to be the Chief Servant at St. John 4-B in 2016. God blessed the church with a beautiful First Lady, Sister Vanessa York, and First Son, Tyrone York, Jr. In addition to our First Family, the membership has grown by approximately 20 members including Deacon Arnold Gamble who is God sent and serves triplex roles because he also serves as Assistant Sunday School and Bible Study Teacher. Under Rev. York’s leadership the church has expanded its ministries and services which includes the following:
1) The church now has services every Sunday (instead of twice monthly)
2) The church has hired a full time Musician, Debra McBride
3) The church hired two Sextons, Sister Margaret York and Sister Luretha Montgomery
4) The church has adopted casual Sunday on the second Sunday of each month
5) Vacation Bible School is the second week in June
6) Law Enforcement Day is the first Saturday in June
7) The church community cook-out is the first Saturday in April
8) Awards Day is the third Saturday in April
9) The church has first aid and intruder training
10) The church also has fellowship outings periodically at various restaurants in South Carolina
The church’s administration building is named for Pastor Tyrone York, Sr., Thelma York and her late mother, Sister Allean York. The Rodgers’s House is named for the late Sister Thelma Rodgers and her family. The Robinson and Keels Fellowship Hall was named after the late Deacon Pearl Robinson, Sr. and his wife Leah and his family & Margaret Keels. The parking lot is named for the Trustee Frankie Childers. The church driveway, Green Lane, is named for Dora and Lee Green. The Gibson Learning Center was named in honor of Deaconess Leila Mae Conyers Gibson and Deacon Samuel Gibson.
It’s been a labor of love to provide part two of our history for St. John 4-B Missionary Baptist Church. By the grace of Christ our Lord and Savior, St. John 4-B Missionary Baptist Church has stood the test of time. We as children of God must redeem our time and embrace it by inspiring others to exercise love, self-reflection and communal unity at all times. Special thanks to Rev. Tyrone York, Sr., Deacon Kelly Robinson, Deacon Arnold Gamble, Trustee Frankie Childers and Sister Timmie Gibson..
