Catfish Creek Baptist Church
National Register Listing
Street Address:
5 mi. NW of Latta at jct. of CR 1741 and 1763 (Dillon County)
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817717002
Description and Narrative:
Catfish Creek Baptist Church typifies the significant Baptist tradition in the South Carolina Pee Dee region established by the Welsh Baptists who migrated from Pennsylvania (now part of Delaware) in 1735. In 1802, another congregation, taking the name Catfish, was formed farther upstream from the location of the original Catfish Church, a branch of the Welsh Neck Church. This congregation, the oldest church congregation in Dillon County, built a crude, log church on this site that was replaced, within a decade, by a clapboard building constructed of cypress. In 1849, the cypress church became too small and a larger structure was built which was in use until completion of the present sanctuary in 1883. The present 1883 structure, constructed of pine, is 60 feet long and 40 feet wide. The façade consists of a centrally placed, stilted arch entrance with two, four-panel sliding doors which become recessed into the wall when opened. Side walls have twenty-four pane, rectangular windows identical to those of the façade. The interior remains largely unchanged. Pews of side aisles are unusual in that they are attached to the wainscoting. Convex walls on either side of the altar provide space for baptismal dressing rooms. An educational building, constructed in 1948, adjoins the sanctuary. The present brick steps and brick portico with pediment and four supporting columns were added in 1970. Listed in the National Register January 17, 1975.
Period of Significance:
1752;1883;19th century
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Architecture;Religion
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
January 17 1975
