History of South Haven Baptist Church

In late 1989, Bro. Toby Rowell (former pastor of Pine Hill Baptist Church), and 29 other adults, followed God’s leading to begin a new Baptist church in Hephzibah. 

On November 14, 1989, 7.73 acres of land was purchased off of Highway 25 at a cost of $23,900, and the clearing of this land began almost immediately. While the new church was under construction, this body of believers began holding services in December 1989 at the Hephzibah Baptist Church on Sunday afternoons at 1:30 pm & Thursdays at 7 pm. The first service in the new building was held on June 3, 1990, with 52 members and 65 total in attendance. The formal dedication service was held on September 9, 1990.

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The fellowship hall was added on to the church in August of 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In August 1999, Pastor Rowell resigned, and Bro. Albert Stroup served as interim pastor until Bro. Charlie Peters became the full-time pastor in November 2000. After Pastor Peters’ resignation in 2005, Bro. Keith McFeely was called and led the church through a full remodel and expansion of the sanctuary. He served as Pastor until June of 2007.

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In August of 2007, Bro. Michael Rochester became pastor and served faithfully for 11 years. During his leadership, South Haven became an Independent Baptist Church in 2008, no longer affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

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Our current pastor, Bro. Taten Wagner, began serving as pastor on October 14, 2018, and was officially voted in as full-time pastor on January 6, 2019. In 2020, our church underwent some much needed improvements: from new paint and floors, to an official foyer and Mission's Info Area, and an official church logo.

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