top of page
OUR HISTORY
Guided by the Word of God
I Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
Since its inception and establishment in 1969, the Church has grown both spiritually and physically. It remains a church that is guided by the Word of God, and whose Chief Shepard is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Early 1960's
Bible Light Union lead by Deacon Eddie J. Squirewell of Macedonia Baptist Church and Deacon M.W. Martin Sr. of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church began. God sent Evangelist Jordan Thomas to this area to reveal God's Plan of Salvation. He taught that deeply held convictions and church membership was not enough, but that the New Birth, consisting of repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and the receiving of the Holy Ghost, is essential to salvation. Deacon Squirewell was filled with the Holy Ghost in one of Evangelist Thomas' tent revival services. He sought to introduce this new understanding of the Scriptures to the Bible Light Union and, through the Union, to the affiliated churches of the Union, but it was not to be. Deacon Squirewell was excommunicated from Macedonia. Brother & Sister Squirewell taught Sunday School in their home.
1967
Deacon Squirewell rented a small store-front building, often referred to as "The Hole in the Wall", in the Smallwood area of Ridgeway, South Carolina, became the first official meeting place of the church.
1969
On January 01, 1969, 51 souls were recognized as regular church members. Several years after receiving the Plan of Salvation the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ was accepted as the will of God and recognized as official church policy. Deacon Squirewell was ordained an Elder and in July of the same year was ordained a Bishop by Bishop Nathan Adgear of Newark, New Jersey. As membership increased, it was decided that a house of worship should be built for the Lord. While being criticized by the world, the work began and continued. On December 7, 1969, the church was entered, dedicated to the Lord, and the first worship service held. The Church was originally called Spiritual Way but its name was later changed to Bible Light Holiness Church. A list of 62 members is included so that the record will be complete.
1975
Elder Linzy Boyd, his family, and members from the Greenbrier community, searched for a place to worship, and expressed interest in joining. Two years later, construction on a church began in Greenbrier on what was to become Bible Light #2. Elder Linzy Boyd was called to eternal rest before this church could be completed, yet many who came with him continue with the church today.
1977
In an effort to raise the children in the fear of the Lord, Bishop Squirewell suggested that these little ones should be organized into a Beginners Choir. The membership, which ranged in age from 3-13, consisted of, at one time, 68 members, and occupied one entire side of the original church. Steady increases in the membership created a need for the election of Deacons. Deacon James Squirewell, Deacon Bennie Mozie, Deacon Carl Bouknight, Deacon Joseph Belton, Deacon James Belton, Deacon Billie Henderson, and Deacon Winston Able were the first Deacons to be ordained.
1978-1984
In 1978, three school buses were purchased, painted and put in service, bringing worshippers from Winnsboro, Greenbrier, and Columbia. Being supportive of Pastor Squirewell in his desire to exercise his every gift, in 1982 the church purchased a tent, measuring 40'x60' to begin a tent ministry. Bishop Squirewell was able to exercise the gift of the evangelist, going forth throughout the midlands with what was called, "The Old Time Tent Revival". In 1983, the work on a new sanctuary was begun. In the course of the building, pigeons had begun to roost in the rafters and in time all had been expelled except one. Day after day, every effort had failed. Finally frustrated, Bishop Squirewell stretched forth his arms, at which time the bird came and lit in his hand. Let this serve as a reminder of God's promise, that he "...will supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus." Let this incident be taken as symbolic of the power of God and of his love and concern for those who seek to do his will. The present sanctuary was dedicated to the Lord on December 2, 1984, with much celebration and praise.
1987-1989
In 1987, a television ministry was begun. This ministry was a blessing and continued until, in 1989, the station was sold and the format changed, at which time it was replaced by a radio ministry. Six additional deacons were elected and ordained in November, 1988 to assist with the increased membership. They were: Deacon Melvin Belton, Deacon Philemon Cook, Deacon Harry Geiger, Deacon Bennie Mozie, Deacon Curtis Squirewell and Deacon Samuel Wolfe.
1991-1993
The Rock Hill area, appearing to be very fruitful ground, a witnessing team was sent in to spread the word of God. On January 13, 1991, Deacon Melvin Belton preached his first official sermon as a Minister of the Gospel and was ordained an Elder and installed as Pastor of the church. Land was purchased and plans made for the building of a permanent church at Rock Hill, with work beginning in December, 1991. Bible Light Holiness Church of Rock Hill was established and dedicated to the glory of God on February 28, 1993.
1991-1994
Fifty acres of land was purchased in November of 1991 for future development.The stated goal of the Church being to minister to both the spiritual and physical aspect of man, the need for a Residential Care Facility was seen, and planning for the building of a ten bed facility began. Construction was completed and license to operate was granted in December, 1991 with the first resident being admitted in January, 1992. Bishop Eddie J. Squirewell suffered a stroke and was unable to preach and serve in April of 1994. Deacons Philemon Cook and Curtis Squirewell alternated in the conducting of services until Deacon Squirewell was called into the ministry.
1995-2005
On June 1, 1995, Deacon Curtis Squirewell was ordained as an Elder and subsequently installed as Pastor on June 1, 2003. The church suffered a great loss on January 21, 2002 when the Lord called Bishop Squirewell into eternal rest. His final charge to the church was in the words and deeds of his life, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:58). Sister Eliza Squirewell, faithful partner of the Bishop, finished her course and entered eternal rest on March 23, 2005.
2006-2018
Deacon Bennie Mozie answered his call into the ministry of the Word of God, preaching his first official sermon on March 26, 2006. In October of the same year, three additional deacons were ordained: Deacon Neco Green, Deacon Vernon Kennedy, and Deacon Darrell Mathis. At Rock Hill, on March 15, 2009, Deacon Marion Robertson preached his first official sermon as a Minister of the Word of God. On December 6, 2009, the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the church, a Rededication Service was held. The current members marched into the sanctuary as the saints had done 40 years earlier. After 27 years, a much needed renovation of the Sactuary was undertaken, as we heeded David's advice that the house of the Lord must be beautiful! The work in the Sanctuary was completed in November, 2011 with a Rededication Service held in December of the same year. In 2013, a complete renovation began of the Old Sanctuary to transform it into a proper meeting and dining facility. Work was completed in November 2014 and a Service of Dedication held in December as the Bishop Eddie J. Squirewell Fellowship Hall was unveiled. The shared vision of Elder Melvin Belton and Minister Marion Robertson led to the establishment of Bible Light Holiness Church of Rembert in Sumter County. A building was found and secured with the first service held on April 28, 2018.
2019
Three Deacons were ordained to serve on August 4, 2019. They were Deacon Linzy Boyd, Jr., Deacon Robert Mableton, Sr., and Deacon Eric Wiliams. With much fanfare, the 50th Anniversary of the Church was observed on December 1, 2019, with a Jubilee Banquet held on October 12, 2019, at the Carolina Events Center in Winnsboro, SC. Various government entities issued Proclamations in recognition of the Church's past and present efforts to serve God and the community.
2020
Minister Robertson was ordained and Elder and officially installed as Pastor of the Rembert Church on March 20, 2020. The resolve of the Church to worship and serve the living God was again tested in March of 2020 with the outbreak of the world-wide pandemic, COVID-19. Health agencies sought to limit the spread of this deadly virus by advising such protocols as avoiding large gatherings, social distancing, enhanced hygiene practices, and the wearing of face coverings. Grace being God unmerited favor, we went from one degree of grace unto another; first, using the internet to allow the saints to hear messages that were preached by Bishop Squirewell..., then, a parking lot service in which live service was broadcast using a FM transmitter; and then, reentering the Sanctuary following certain health agency advisement's. In the meantime, we were encouraged to read through the Bible, to read and study our Sunday School lessons, and to fast and pray.
2021-Present
On August 22, 2021 Deacon Neco Green preached his first sermon. On September 25, 2022, Minister Benie Mozie was ordained to the office of an Elder by Elder Curtis Squirewell of Ridgeway SC. Since its inception and establishment in 1969, the Church has grown both spiritually and physically. The church remains a church that is guided by the Word of God, and whose Chief Shepherd in the Lord Jesus Christ.
bottom of page