The Early Years

Religious work done at Rose Hill Presbyterian Church was begun in 1913 led by F. L. Outlaw, assisted by Y. P. Scruggs and Miss Bessie Black. They organized a Sunday School in the old school house with help from Miss Emily Dick and Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt Taylor.

After 1915, the meeting place was transferred to a building at the Palmetto Mills. Here it continued until W. F. Daniels of the Columbia Theological Seminary returned the Sunday School to the Rose Hill school house and began to preach there regularly. Under the leadership of Mr. Daniels, the Rose Hill Presbyterian Church was organized by Congaree Presbytery on October 31, 1919, with thirty charter members.

The Reverend E. S. Campbell was called as pastor and installed November 5, 1920, serving until November 27, 1922. On May 9, 1923, the Reverend B. F. Yandell was ordained and installed as pastor.

The church, seating about two hundred, including individual classrooms for the Sunday School, was built in 1921. A new Sunday School building was constructed in 1937. In 1957, additional property was purchased with the existing house on the lot being used as a Sunday School building. The first Sunday School building was named the Sipple Building and the house was named the Mitchell Building.

On January 30, l972, the new Mitchell Building replaced the old Sunday School buildings and improvements to the sanctuary were completed.

Faithful Service and Blessings, 1942-1983

The Reverend Alex Mitchell served as pastor from 1942 until 1971 (29 years) and upon his retirement was elected Pastor Emeritus. On January 27, 1999, at the age of 100, pastor emeritus Alex M. Mitchell joined his Heavenly Father. He served his Lord well.

The Reverend K. M. Kepler, Jr., served for five years until 1977.

The Reverend John O. Bumgardner, Jr., was ordained and installed (in his first ministry) at Rose Hill Church on March 5, l978. He served until August, l982.

Plans for new additions and renovation began in the Spring of 1981. A capital fund drive was successfully completed on November 1, 1981, with construction beginning in February 1982.

The Reverend L. Craig Wilkes was ordained and installed (in his first ministry) as minister of Rose Hill Church on January 9, 1983 and served until December 31, 1993.

A New Era, 1983-1999

On May 22, 1983, Rose Hill Church was dismissed from the Presbyterian Church US and became a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

On July 15, 1984, the mortgage for the renovation of the sanctuary was burned.

New Ministries

In 1984, the annual Spring Missions Conference and the annual Harvest Time Renewal Conferences were begun. In April 1986, the very successful Keenagers Program was begun.

75th Anniversary

On October 30, 1994, the 75th anniversary of Rose Hill Church was celebrated. A Historical Celebration began at 9:30 am in the sanctuary with a history of the church being read. Following the morning worship service, a reception attended by 196 members and friends was held in the Mitchell Building.

The Reverend Gary A. Bainton was installed as pastor on November 13, 1994 and served until June 30, 2005. On September 7, 1997, Southeast Presbyterian Church united with Rose Hill. The Reverend Richard L. Burguet became the Associate Pastor and served until August 1, 1999.

Into the 21st Century

In 1999, 217 S. Saluda property and house was given to the church and on April 30, 2000 it was dedicated and named The Rosalie O. Cassels Ministry Center. In 2006 the church offices were moved back to 229 S. Saluda Avenue.

On August 1, 2006, Rev. Andrew Scott Kornreich started his ministry at Rose Hill. His wife is Penny, and they have two children, Victoria "Tory" and Tobias "Toby".

We are anticipating renovation projects in the coming year. We praise God as He continues to bless the life and ministries of Rose Hill.