OUR HISTORY

Our Story

Rooted in Faith. Growing Together.

For more than 150 years, our church has been part of the life of Conway, South Carolina. What began with ten founding members in 1866 has grown through generations of people who have worshiped together, taught their children about Jesus, served their neighbors, and faithfully invested in the future of this church.

Today, we are known as FBC GracePoint Church. Our story connects the faith of those first members with the people who call this church home today—and with those we have yet to welcome.

Our Beginnings

Our congregation began in 1866 as Conwayboro Church. During its early years, members gathered in the Conwayboro schoolhouse, known as the Old Academy. By 1870, the congregation had grown to 57 members.

In 1876, two important milestones helped establish the church’s future: Sunday School began, and William Burroughs deeded an acre of land to the congregation for one dollar. That property became our home on Elm Street, where we continue to gather today.

As the town and congregation grew, the church’s name changed from Conwayborough Baptist Church to Conway Baptist Church in 1890. That same year, the Woman’s Missionary Society was organized, reflecting an early commitment to sharing the gospel and serving others.

In 1907, Dr. W. J. Langston became the church’s first full-time pastor. The congregation dedicated its first brick church building in 1911 and, around that time, became known as First Baptist Church of Conway.

Built Through Faith and Generosity

The decades that followed brought growth in membership, ministry, and the spaces needed to serve a growing church family. Those steps forward were made possible by members who gave generously and worked together.

One story preserved in our church’s history captures that spirit. When the first brick education building was being built, an 81-year-old member gathered straw, made and sold brooms, and gave the proceeds toward the project. Completed in 1939, the building reflected the congregation’s shared commitment to teaching God’s Word and preparing for the next generation.

By December 1941, the church reported 671 members and a Sunday School enrollment of 681. The small congregation that once met in a schoolhouse had become a church serving hundreds of people.

In 1951, the present sanctuary was completed. It remains an important connection between our past and present—a place where generations have gathered to worship and where our church family continues to meet today.

Growing in Conway

As First Baptist grew, the congregation also helped establish new churches throughout the community. Homewood Church was planted in 1945, followed by Jamestown Baptist Church in 1948, Langston Heights Baptist Church in 1953, and North Conway Baptist Church in 1956.

These congregations became an important part of First Baptist’s legacy in Conway, creating more places for people to hear the gospel, worship, and grow together. Our church’s history became connected with the stories of other congregations and the families they served.

Dr. Lovell’s Lasting Influence

Dr. S. George Lovell became pastor of First Baptist Church in 1954, beginning an important chapter in our history. His ministry coincided with years of growth in worship, Christian education, and opportunities for children and families.

Building on its music ministry, the church welcomed its first full-time minister of music in 1959. In 1960, it opened its first kindergarten and added a second brick education building. A kindergarten program for four-year-olds followed in 1964, and Lovell Weekday Ministry began in 1968. These ministries became meaningful ways for the church to care for children and support local families.

Dr. Lovell’s influence also reached into the wider community. He helped support the early development of what would become Coastal Carolina University, participating in fundraising, campus planning, and efforts to secure support for the college. His involvement connected the life of First Baptist with an important chapter in the growth of Horry County.

We remember Dr. Lovell with gratitude as a pastor whose work contributed to both our congregation and the community we continue to call home.

Generations Growing Together

Throughout the years, the life of our church has been shaped by people willing to teach, encourage, lead, and serve. Sunday School classes, Vacation Bible School, choirs, and children’s ministries have given generations opportunities to learn about Jesus, build friendships, and use their gifts.

The photographs preserved in our church’s history bring those years to life: children gathered for Bible lessons, classes standing together, choirs leading worship, and members celebrating new spaces for ministry. Each photograph represents people who helped shape the church we know today.

Their example continues to remind us of the importance of making room for others and passing our faith to the next generation.

A New Chapter as FBC GracePoint

Beginning in 2018, the church renewed its focus on helping young families find and follow Jesus. That emphasis continued into a new chapter in 2024, when the church adopted the name First Baptist Conway GracePoint Church, known today as FBC GracePoint.

That year also marked the beginning of a sanctuary renovation. Completed in 2025, the project continued a long history of caring for our church home and preparing it for future ministry.

In 2025, new ministry teams began serving locally, plans were introduced for updated children’s and youth areas, and the Heritage Room reopened. Together, these milestones reflect a congregation that treasures its history while preparing for the people and opportunities ahead.

Our Story Continues

We are grateful for the people whose faithfulness brought us to this moment—the founding members, pastors, teachers, musicians, volunteers, and families who gave what they had and trusted God with the future.

Their example encourages us to do the same. As Conway grows, we want to continue welcoming our neighbors, caring for families, teaching God’s Word, and creating opportunities for people of every generation to grow in faith and serve others.

Our mission today is to help people find and follow Jesus. With gratitude for where we have been and hope for where God is leading us, we look forward to the next chapter together.

Our story is still being written, and we would love for you to be part of it.

A Look at Our Heritage

Our Heritage Room preserves the photographs, memories, and milestones of the generations who helped shape our church. Enjoy these pictures for a glimpse into our history, and stop by the Heritage Room to explore more of our story.