As the pastor I am biased, but Illumine continues to be a genuine, welcoming community that focuses…read moreon what matters most. The resolve that the people here have to serve all people is great - the kind of thing the gospel makes possible. Regardless of your age, race, economic status, or favorite football team, you'll feel at home at Illumine.

I am so grateful to have found Illumine. Pastor Kent Reeder is excellent at delivering an…read moreinvaluable message. The church is filled with people who are compassionate, genuine, and welcoming from the very moment you walk through the doors. There are no judgments at Illumine - just lots of love and support. Also - the music is amazing.

Great Church, people are very friendly and the Bible is opened and the Word is preached!read more

Such sweet and kind people. Solid Bible Preaching, thriving children's ministry, and growing youth…read moreministry. They truly love God and love people.

Located in the middle of a mostly residential and light commercial neighborhood, this church stood…read moreout as I drove past. I had to stop and check it out, though it was secured on Saturday morning and no services were underway. The marker out front is on two sides and reads, "Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church. This church, which grew out of First Presbyterian Church, was discussed as early as 1901, with the first definite plans made in 1909. The leaders of First Presbyterian required that a new church be built before any members left the church. This church was intended to serve the faculty and students at nearby Winthrop College (now Winthrop University)." On the reverse, it reads, "This Gothic Revival church built in 1912, was designed by Charlotte architect C.C. Hook and held its first services in December 1912. The church was formally organized in September 1913, then dedicated that November. Reverend Alexander Martin, who served both First and this church 1912-1914, became the first full-time pastor here in 1914, serving until 1931." [Review 14614 overall, 114 of 2021, number 764 in South Carolina.]

This church is welcoming to all and very friendly. The entire service is superb and we just love it!read more

Another classic church with a historical marker in the front…read more It reads on the one side, "This church was organized in 1869 with Reverend J.A. Rainey as its first pastor and is one of the oldest black institutions in Rock Hill. With support from Northern Presbyterians, it ran a private school as early as the 1880s and was a mission church until 1912. This Gothic Revival sanctuary, built by church members who were also brickmasons and carpenters, was built between 1897 and 1903." On the other side, "This church features a three-story tower and pointed-arch and quatrefoil stained-glass windows. The congregation was a center of the local Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Hermon Presbyterian Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Placed in 1992. After the congregation moved to a new church 1 mile southwest on Heckle Blvd, in 1999, this historic church became a community center." Definitely worth your time to stop by and admire the beautiful structure, and if the church is open, step inside. [Review 13027 overall, 344 of 2020.]

NewKirk is really doing well! We have visitors almost every Sunday and some are joining our…read morefellowship! The people are loving and welcoming and the music is great and the sermons are biblical and inspiring. Pastor David Mitchell uses many life applications and examples in his sermons that captivates our attention. He uses multimedia and humor to interact with us. Please check out our web site at newkirkbc.org. Come join us for worship at 11.00 am.

Hello! My name is Sam Stevens, and I am currently the pastor of Newkirk Baptist Church, and I would…read morelike to address the previous review of our church. While there are a significant amount of statements the reviewer mentions that I cannot address due to the subjective nature of their comments, such as, "...the regulars...feel like they're trying to put you under their spell," and, "...got a very bad gut feeling of crookedness in my stomach," I can address some of the more objective accusations that were made by the individual. Let me begin by saying that I was initially hesitant to write a "review" in response, as I realize some will merely interpret this as a "he said, they said" sort of banter, and most would expect that a paid employee of an institution who is also the primary representative of that institution to post only a positive position. However, I felt that so much of the review was "over the top" and disingenuous, that out of a responsibility to defend Christ and His church, I needed to respond. First, we have never asked anyone in our congregation to give their, quote, "...house, car, and whatever else they have." Like all or certainly most churches, we take up a weekly offering, and our finance team provides regular updates to our congregants on the church's financial health. This provides accountability, motivation, and encouragement to our people. Additionally, the only debt our church currently has is on a family life center that we built just a few years ago. Our property and sanctuary are both paid for, and we have an extremely aggressive mortgage on the family life center that we pay on faithfully and have never been delinquent on. This building is used for many different activities by not only our church, but other groups as well, and it has proven to be a valuable asset to our community. Second, we did not go three years without a pastor, and we did not have, "...visiting pastors coming and going for three years." Our previous, full-time pastor was there for almost 11 years, a very solid, healthy tenure. He left in January of 2015, and I was installed as the new Lead Pastor in October of that same year, a mere 10 months later. There was one interim pastor of seven month in the middle period between our tenures. Third, as a church body, we insist that all of our staff personnel treat everyone they encounter with the utmost courtesy and professionalism. The secretary that was mentioned, who should not have been mentioned by name, is not even with the church anymore, having left our church on good terms and of her own volition to pursue other opportunities. Most of what remained in the review was, again, completely subjective in nature and not rooted in any kind of objective reality. For my part, I have found the people of Newkirk to be among the most loving, caring, and concerned group of Christians I have ever had the privilege to be associated with. I would not have uprooted and relocated my family of six had I felt that I was doing so only to serve among, "...a hypocritical bunch of folks," who give you, "...the feeling of evil." I love my wife and four kids too much to ever subject them to such a fellowship! The previous reviewer suggested that the York Baptist Association needs to investigate Newkirk Baptist Church. As the pastor, I would like to cordially invite any and all who read this review to do the same! It me sincerest belief that if you do so, you will find them to be as loving, accepting, welcoming, and sincere as my family and I have these past several months. I love serving among these folks, and would sincerely enjoy the opportunity to meet you and assist in introducing you to all that Newkirk has to offer. I believe if you honor us by being our guest, you just might stick around by becoming a member! Come see us! -Sam S. PS...I should mention that the ONLY reason I gave our church four stars instead of five is because I believe we always have room to improve, and by God's leading and help, we will always strive to do just that! Thanks!