1955

ADBC began as a mission church.  In November, 34 families organized a group from the Adult Department II of Sumter’s First Baptist Church.  They submitted a resolution to the church body to sponsor a new Baptist church in the western section of the city.

 

1956

In July, interested families formed a steering committee, which made a proposal to First Baptist Church to plant a church in the vicinity of Alice Drive Junior High School.  On July 30, 1956, First Baptist Church approved the resolution.  The families continued to meet in the cafeteria of Alice Drive Junior High School.

 

At 3:00 p.m. on October 21, 1956, Alice Drive Baptist Church was officially organized during a service at the cafeteria.  Church enrollment at that time was 107; however, members that enrolled through March 1957 were accepted as Charter Members for a total of 130.  Regular services were conducted by visiting preachers.  By November 15, Sunday School enrollment was over 200 members.  Dr. W.R. McLin, pastor of First Baptist Church of Sumter, preached the first sermon entitled “Upon This Rock,” which is why we have the Big Rock in front of the church!

 

1957

The Church extended a call to Reverend Francis M. Batson, then pastor of the Kellytown and McBee Baptist Churches.  He held his first service on February 17th.

 1958

In an effort to remain as close as possible to Alice Drive, members decided to purchase land on Miller Road, about three hundred yards east of Alice Drive.  The church purchased the four acres of land on Miller Road for $6,000  to build a “meeting place and center of activities for Alice Drive Baptist Church.”

 

Because church members had been meeting in the Alice Drive Junior High School, they opted to keep the name  Alice Drive even though the church building itself was never located on Alice Drive.

 1959

The first of February saw the completion and dedication of the first building.  Many classes continued to use the  junior high until educational space could be added.

 1960

On October 14th, the second unit was completed, and it included additional classrooms.

 

 1967

Reverend Francis Batson resigned, and Reverend J. Kirk Lawton was called as pastor.

 

1969

The third unit was built at a cost of $162,425 and dedicated on the 23rd of November, which included the fellowship hall, office, and music room.

 

 

1972

Reverend J. Kirk Lawton resigned.

 

1973

Dr. Ranford A. Haselden began his ministry as pastor in July.

1974

Sanctuary expanded into the old fellowship hall.

 

1976

Unit III mortgage burning ceremony was held on July 4th.

 

1977

An open door policy was adopted allowing all people, regardless of race, to be welcomed.

 

1981

Dr. Haselden resigned as pastor.

 

1982

Reverend Norman Gardner was called as our fourth pastor on April 12th. Reverend Keith McManus joined the church staff as Minister of Education on October 27th. McManus Hall, on the Loring Mill Campus, is named for him.

 

1983

Alice Drive Baptist Church began the first Singles’ ministry in Sumter.

 

1989

Reverend Norman Gardner resigned.  Hurricane Hugo slammed into South Carolina, destroying 200 homes and 1,000 mobile homes in Sumter County.  Alice Drive Baptist Church worked with the Red Cross to help in disaster relief.

 

1990

Dr. Hubert H. Welch was called as the fifth pastor on June 1st.

 

1992

Alice Drive began its second Sunday morning worship service on September 13th.

 

1993

The Jail Ministry was started.  On May 2, the Korean Han Sam Evangelical Church began worship service in the church.

 

1994

After Dr. Welch had resigned, Dr. W. Clay Smith was called as pastor and began on June 5th. Clay came from Southside Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

1995

Alice Drive Baptist Church began holding its PowerLunch meetings. Reverend Keith McManus, Associate Pastor, retired in June.  The Fellowship Hall was named McManus Hall in Keith’s honor. Space study at Alice Drive  Baptist Church began.The first Christmas drama, “Time for Christmas,” was held under the direction of Reverend Joe Buckner.  This would evolve into “A Sumter Christmas.”

 

1998

The church voted to relocate due to growth.  The church purchased 65 acres at the corner of Wise Drive and Loring Mill Road for $420,000.00.

 

1999

In January, the worship services were moved to Nettles Auditorium at USC Sumter; classrooms at the campus were used for Sunday School.  A portable classroom building was purchased for the Youth.  It became known as  “The Big Ugly.”  On the 43rd anniversary in October, the ground breaking ceremonies were held at the new location on Loring Mill Road.

 

 

2000

The church campus on Miller Road was sold to USC Sumter for $1.4 million.

 

2001

In February, the last service was held in the old building.  On May 13th, the church moved to the new location        with 565 attending the 8:30 a.m. service and 661 attending the 11:00 a.m. service.

 

2002

In March, Kingdom Kids’ weekday preschool program began.

 

2004

The continued growth at Alice Drive Baptist Church led to the three morning services now held at 8:30 a.m.,          9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. with two Bible Community Group sessions at 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

 

2006

Alice Drive Baptist Church celebrated its 50th anniversary.  Average worship attendance was 1019.  Average Bible Community attendance was 669.

 

2009

Additional parking was added and construction was completed for the porte cochere (covered side drop-off), in honor of Sallie Whitas.  Operation Inasmuch began on April 4, 2009.

 

2010

Scott and Tonya Shipes were commissioned as missionaries to Botswana, Africa, completing their three year assignment in 2013.

 

2011

The new Administration Building was occupied.  Old offices in the main building were renovated for preschool space.  Relocation of Ring Road was completed, and additional parking was added.

 

2012

• The Venue was completed giving the Student Ministry much needed classroom space.
• Bible Community Groups became LIFE Groups.
• First Mission Trips to Honduras and New York City.
• As Many as Possible projects proposed.

 

2013

Monday night worship, the first in South Carolina, began September 9, making this a fourth worship service for ADBC.

 

2017

• Ninety people volunteer to go and launch the Pocalla Campus of ADBC. The Campus launches on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5th.  Jock Hendricks is the first Campus Pastor.  The campus first meets at Pocalla Springs Elementary School.

 

2018

• The ADBC Endowment begins, with significant lead gifts from The Next Steps Group, a group of ADBC members who invest in the future of ADBC.
• ADBC joins the Columbia Metro Association as an Associate Member, while maintaining primary relationship with Santee Baptist Association.

2019

• On June 1st, Lead Pastor Clay Smith celebrated his 25th anniversary as Pastor.
• After receiving a lead gift of $100,000, the church is challenged to pay its remaining debt on the Loring Mill Building. The church exceeds the goal by $100,000!  These excess funds are set aside for providing a permanent home for the Pocalla Campus.
• After working for a year to lease space in the Pocalla Crossing Shopping Center for the Pocalla Campus, the Dunlap Family donates a 7.7 acre tract located on Highway 15S for a permanent home for the Pocalla Campus.
• The church invests in significant technological upgrades for an Online Campus. A part-time Online Campus Pastor is hired.

2020

• The Corona Virus Pandemic shuts down in person worship for 12 weeks. Because of Online Campus investments, ADBC is able to provide live broadcasts of messages during this period.
• In-person worship resumes on May 31, but attendance is about 30% of normal. Due to restrictions by the Sumter School District, Pocalla Campus must move to Skate Station.
• ADBC helps organize white and African American pastors to stand for justice in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. This organization becomes known as “Sumter Together.”  A joint Pastor/Police March for Racial Justice, the only one of its kind in the US, is held in June 2020. It is the only joint Police and Pastor March in the country, and the first integrated march for racial justice in Sumter’s history.
• Planning begins for the new Pocalla Building.
• The groundbreaking for the new Pocalla Building was held in November

2021

• One Fund The church seeks to raise $5.5 million in one year.  As an act of faith, the church promises to give away 10% of what is received to mission causes.  This will result in funding the completion of a homeless shelter for Sumter United Ministries, a home for Habitat for Humanity, and provide $2.1 million for the Pocalla Campus.  $4.9 million is given, allowing the mission gifts to be given and the Construction of the Pocalla Campus to proceed.
• Pocalla Campus moves to Lakewood High School for worship.
• Palmetto Lead forms, providing a monthly leadership lunch, sponsoring the Global Leadership Summit, and providing leadership for Leadership Sumter through the Sumter Chamber of Commerce.
• Sam Smithson is hired as the Bishopville Campus Minister, in preparation for launching a campus in Lee County.
• Bishopville Campus launches in October

2022

• In January, construction began on the future home of Pocalla Campus on 65 Masters Drive
• In December, the first worship service was held in the new building on 65 Masters Drive with a soft launch, Pocalla Campus officially calls this its new home.
• In February, the campus announces it’s officially open, and has Grand Opening Services and a Dedication Ceremony for the new building, 

 

 

2024

• In May of 2024, Lead Pastor Clay Smith announces his retirement after serving faithfully for 30 years.

2025

• Pastor Clay Smith will preach his last service on November 2. We have a favorable candidate. If approved, he will preach, and the entire church body will then vote on his candidacy. We believe the best is yet to come!

 

 

Jo Mims 

Jo Mims was a charter member of Alice Drive.  She faithfully served on the Kitchen team, in Children’s ministry, and in Outreach.  For many years, she was Pastor Clay Smith’s visitation partner on Monday nights, seldom missing.  She was passionate about ADBC. 

When the church voted to relocate, she put her influence behind the decision, which influenced others to support the relocation effort.

 

Her life tragically ended when she was struck by a hit-and-run driver in 0000.  She was never able to see the new building on Loring Mill Road finished, but her ministry, her heart for outreach, and her prayers opened the doors for others to see and take their next step.

 

Archie and Loretha Prince 

Archie and Loretha Prince moved to Sumter in 1998 and joined Alice Drive.  They were the first African American members.  Their gentle nature allowed them to overcome latent racism that existed in the minds of older members.  They soon became beloved members of the church.

 

Archie was a great prayer warrior.  After ground was broken on the Loring Mill campus, Archie visited the site every day and prayed that God would provide the resources for the project.  Archie became Pastor Clay’s personal intercessory.  Clay asked Archie to pray for him for fifteen minutes each day.  Archie asked if he had to cut back to that little.

 

Archie also served part-time on staff as the Volunteer Coordinator.  He encouraged many people to serve and prayed with many.

Archie passed away in 2004 after heart surgery.  Loretha moved to be closer to family.  This couple opened the doors for ADBC to be a true place of grace, open to all races.

 

Forist and Jaline Dupree

Forist and Jaline joined Alice Drive in 1978.  Both had servants’ hearts.  They taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and were the kind of people who did what needed to be done.  Forist was elected a deacon and served many terms.  Above all, they ministered to the least of these, taking care of people who were unable to care for themselves.  They both prayed that ADBC would grow.  After praying for 16 years, God began to answer their prayers in 1994.

 

They hosted regular dinners in their home for widows, assisted international teachers, took people to doctor’s appointments when they had no transportation, and even did laundry for those in need.

 

Forist was probably the most respected man in the church in the 1990s and 2000s.  He was repeatedly elected moderator and shepherded the church through long business meetings about relocation.

 

Forist and Jaline were generous givers, giving sacrificially to building projects and mission causes.  Their generosity encouraged others to give.

 

Forist passed away in 2013.  Jaline continued to care for the least of these.  In 2017, when she was 85, she became part of the core launch team for the Pocalla campus.  When asked what needed to be done, she was told there was a need in the children’s ministry.  Though she had not previously taught children the Bible, she volunteered and began the Sunday morning groups for kids at Pocalla.

Jaline passed away in 2024, sharing her faith till the end.

 

Pat Hobbs

Pat and her husband Van joined Alice Drive in 1961.  Pat had a wonderful, gentle spirit and a close walk with God.  She served in the Kids’ ministry for fifty years.  Generations of children experienced her kindness and grace.  She also sang in the choir, was active in Women’s groups, and prayer.

 

When the chairman of the Building Team for the relocation effort passed away in 2000, Pat assumed leadership of the team, seeing it through until completion.

 

She was one of the first members of what is now the Direction Team.  When confronted with a challenge, her first response was always, “We need to pray about that.” 

 

Pat was always encouraging and Christ-like.  She passed away in 2020.

 

Hannah Seymour

Hannah Seymour joined Alice Drive in 1971 after she and her husband sold their farm in Graham.  She quickly plugged into the WMU (the Women’s Missionary Union) and became a strong advocate for missions.

 

Her involvement in missions was personal.  In retirement, she made mission trips to Maine and Brazil.  She was appointed to the State WMU board.

 

She was a member of the Pastor Search Team in 1993 and insisted that the team spend the first three months in prayer before they began to search for a pastor.  As a result, the team was able to quickly focus on Pastor Clay as the next pastor of ADBC.

Her passion for missions never dimmed.  She passed away in 2014.

 

Cecil Walters

Cecil and Virginia Walters joined Alice Drive in 1962.  From the start, Cecil served.  He served many terms as a Deacon and as Deacon Chair.  In meetings, Cecil was often the voice of reason and calm.  He was able to defuse tense situations with his calming presence. 

 

Cecil mentored many men.  He was an example of a Christian husband and father.  He would take men who were new followers of Jesus and, without them realizing it, show them how to serve their families and serve others.  Cecil’s impact was often not noticed in the process, but dozens of men spoke of how he was an example to them.

Cecil passed away in 2010.

 

Barry Leach 

Barry and Cecelia joined Alice Drive in 0000.  Barry came to Christ as an adult and was a student of God’s word.  He taught Sunday School and served as a Deacon.

 

When the church decided to build in 1996, Barry was elected chair of the team.  He shepherded the Building Team through the transition between the building at the Miller Road location and relocating to the new location at Loring Mill Road.  Barry was able to direct the diverse opinions of team members and lead everyone in the same direction.

 

During the relocation effort, Barry was diagnosed with cancer.  Rather than step down, he continued in his role.  He suffered a heart attack after a particularly contentious meeting with the architect, but would not quit. 

 

He contracted pneumonia in 2000 and passed away before the Loring Mill Building was completed. Thousands have been blessed by his leadership, who never knew his name.

 

Keith and Marian McManus

Keith McManus was called to be Minister of Education and Youth at Alice Drive in 1982.  Keith later became the Minister of Senior Adults.  Marian was a supportive partner, often working with Keith in his ministries.

 

Keith began the first Singles Ministry in Sumter, called “Singles Again.”  Dozens of people were helped through the pain of divorce and the loss of a spouse through this ministry.  He also guided the Senior Adults on Mission Trips to Maine.

 

Keith guided the church through two interim pastorate periods, providing care and leadership.  He became the de facto pastor of the church.

 

Keith retired in 1995 after 13 years of service.  McManus Hall is named after him and Marian.

 

R. Wells

Mr. Wells was a charter member of Alice Drive, coming from First Baptist Church Sumter, and was one of the early pillars of the church.  He was employed by the Farmer’s Exchange.

 

One of the first deacons, he taught Sunday School, served on various committees, was a pillar of honesty, and was one of the most respected men in the church.

 

He passed away in 1968.

 

Col. Henry and Mrs. Aileen Brumfield

Colonel and Mrs. Brumfield were charter members of Alice Drive.  Col. Brumfield retired from the Air Force and had been awarded eight battle stars for service in World War II.  He taught the men’s Sunday School class for over twenty years, served as a deacon, and was the church treasurer.  He passed away in 1978.

 

Mrs. Brumfield taught Sunday School and served wherever there was a need.  She was a prayer warrior.  She told Pastor Clay she had been praying for the church to grow since its beginning in 1956.  When she was barely able to walk, she would often come forward during the invitation to assure Pastor Clay of her prayers.  She passed away in 1997.

 

Allison Stevens

Allison and her husband, Steve, were charter members of Alice Drive.  She was a teacher.  When the church began and met in Alice Drive Junior High School (now Middle School), she was in charge of the children’s department.  The church used the Home Economics classrooms, and she made sure it was put back exactly the way it was for classes on Monday.  She also served as the Church Cook and, for many years, was the church librarian.  She and her husband were very active in the VIPS, a senior adult ministry. 

Allison passed away in 2018