Woodruff in Spartanburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Baptist Church

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 19, 2025

1. First Baptist Church Marker, Side One

Inscription. This church's oldest record is from September 16, 1787. Members first worshipped at a site 1½ mi. NW, deeded to them by Joseph Woodruff who fought in the Revolutionary War. In 1798, the church adopted the name “Bethel” which means “House of God.” The first building was a log cabin. Large outdoor revivals were held in the early years and a school was provided for the community. Larger meeting houses were built as the church grew.

In 1911, the congregation changed its name to First Baptist Church and moved into a brick sanctuary on Main St., one block east of the old church grounds and cemetery. The church moved to its present site in 1962 once the education buildings were completed. Services were held in the fellowship hall until the sanctuary was built in 1973. An 800-pound bell used by the church since 1888 hangs in the present steeple.

Erected 2022 by Department of Archives and History. Sponsored by First Baptist Church of Woodruff. (Marker Number 42-41.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1787.

Location. 34° 43.947′ N, 82° 1.196′ W. Marker is in Woodruff, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. It is at

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the intersection of Cross Anchor Road (South Carolina Route 146) and SJ Workman Highway (Local Route 450), on the left when traveling east on Cross Anchor Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 Cross Anchor Rd, Woodruff SC 29388, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate

and in the Greater Greenville-Spartanburg Area. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans of Foreign Wars (approx. one mile away); S.J. Workman Highway (approx. 3.8 miles away); Crash Site of USA AF A20G Havoc (approx. 4.1 miles away); Young’s School (approx. 4.7 miles away); Enoree Community Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.4 miles away); Site of Fredonia (approx. 7.4 miles away); Walnut Grove Plantation (approx. 8 miles away); a different marker also named Walnut Grove Plantation (approx. 8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodruff.

First Baptist Church Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 19, 2025

2. First Baptist Church Marker, Side Two

First Baptist Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 19, 2025

3. First Baptist Church Marker

First Baptist Church, Woodruff SC image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 19, 2025

4. First Baptist Church, Woodruff SC

Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 166 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 26, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.