The Beginning 1876

1. Rev. H.H. Harriet

2. Rev. Girly Riggins

3. Rev. D. W. Johnson

4. Rev. James Gallishaw

5. Rev. P. W. Flood

6. Rev. Z. A. Brown

7. Rev. H. M Muddlen

8. Rev. J.C. McLam

9. Rev. S. D. Johnson

10. Rev. L. P. McGill

11. Rev. T. J Moore

12. Rev. Lattie Barr

13. Rev. A. J. Johnson

14. Rev. G. H. Moore Jr.

15. Rev. James Curry

16. Rev. Leroy Fred

17. Rev. Dr. James K. Clarida              March 2000?? – Sept. 2004

18. Rev. Mammie E. Mitchell                Sept. 2004 – Sept. 2013

19. Rev. Patsy Brown                           Sept. 2013 – Nov. 14, 2015

20. Rev. Eric A. Ramsey                       Nov. 15, 2015 - Present

Pine Hill A.M.E. Church

History

Dillon County 1876 – 2021

Pine Hill A.M.E. Church was organized is in Dillon County off Highway 34 and was organized around 1876. According to the church’s history, the first pastor of Rev. Alford and the property was given so the people could have church to enlighten the community on heritage, family life, religion, and aspiration for the future. Additionally, the original property was purchased for $35.00. The first church trustees were D.H. Bethea, Archey O’Neal, J.W. Moody, Boyd Bethea, and Hector McLean.

Throughout the years, several buildings have served the community as a central gathering place to worship and as an educational center. The Church was remodeled several times during the years from a wooden frame to a block structure, the members paid for new pews, and Annie Kearney donated the new carpet. During that time, the Rev. A.J. Johnson served as the pastor; and, the stewards were Frank Fulwood, Hector Bethea, Rev. Charlie Davis, and Dorothy Bethea- church secretary. The trustees were James McInnis, James E. Jennings, Wilbert Leggett, Luther Bethea and Jessie McKinnon. The following members served as officers in the following capacities – Linda Gibson, Sunday School secretary/Statistician; Dorothy Purnell, Superintendent; Bertha Leach and Marie Wright, Sunday School Teachers. The class leaders were Frank Fulwood, Rev. Charlie Davis, James McInnis and Johnnie Mearite.

Pine Hill AME Church served as a circuit with Magnolia AME Church in Bingham for many years. Later, Pine Hill served in a circuit with Mt. Zion AME Church in the Minturn section. In 1976 both churches were in severe need of repair; so, the Conference selected the Pine Hill Church building as the most feasible to bring the congregation together. Afterwards, the following members joined Pine Hill - Hector Bethea, his entire family including sisters, brothers and in-laws; Bertha Leach and family; Annie R. Bethea and family; Blondell Brown and Marcenia Davis.

According to Willie Hodge the history of the pastor were but not limited to; Rev. H.H. Harrietm , Rev. Girly Reggins, Rev. D. W. Johnson, Rev. James Gallishaw, Rev. P.W. Hudd, Rev. L. P. McGill, Rev. J.H. Moore, Rev. Lattie Barr, Rev. A.J. Johnson, Rev J.H. Moore Jr., Rev. James Curry and Rev. Leroy Fred.

In March 2001 at the Mid-Year Conference, the Rev. Dr. James K. Clarida was assigned to the charge Rev. Clarida came with a vision that he felt that God had sent him to implement for the congregation. He completely reorganized the church, established a new Steward Board, which included, Willie Bethea – Pastor steward, Hector Bethea, Lucille Owens, Edward Jennings and Darlene Clark-Secretary. The Church Trustees under his leadership were Geraldine Bellamy, Mary L. Bethea, Emma Bethea, Vera Jennings, Sarah M. Davis, Minnie McInnis, Cornelius Bethea, Carolyn McLeod, and Willie Bethea.

During Clarida’s tenure as Pine Hill’s Pastor, God gave him along with the officers and members guidance to 1) Organize the church Board (2) Develop a Weekly Worship Schedule: Early Sunday Mornings Rise Service, Sunday Mornings Worship, Sunday Church School Bro. Carl Bethea – Superintendent (deceased) Bro. Edward Jennings – New Superintendent. Tuesday Prayer Band, Wednesday Night Bible Study, Thursday Mid-Day Prayer, Friday Joy Night Worship Service. (3) Purchase a church Van. (4) Organized Praise Team and Little Steppers, Senior Choir, and the Clarida Mass Choir.

The church celebrated its homecoming on Dec. 4, 2011, inside the newly remodeled church adorned with stained glass windows and an artistic-stone finished on the outside. Additionally, a fellowship wing was completed, with office space, a Secretary office, a robe room, a kitchen, tables, chairs and the Pastor’s Study.

Then, on September 2004, Rev. Mammie E. Mitchell, the first female pastor, was assigned to Pine Hill. Rev. Mitchell served faithfully for 9 years. In September 2013, Rev. Pasty Brown was assigned to lead Pine Hill and she served until November 2015.

During Post-Conference, on November15, 2015, Bishop Richard Franklin Norris appointed Rev. Eric A. Ramsey to serve as the 20^th Pastor of Pine Hill along with Lady Angela Ramsey to reach higher spiritual heights. The Ramsey Team administration along with the great members began working tirelessly to accomplish the following: (1) The 2nd Sunday was dedicated to the young people and a youth choir was established to continue “to let their lights shine”. (2) A Wednesday Night Empowerment Bible Study. (3) Bathrooms were painted along with some cosmetic upgrades. (4) The church bell was refurbished, dedicated and installed to its rightful place in front of the church. As with the old church traditions, the bell is rung every Sunday morning. (5) A Family Fun Day was held in which 65 community children attended. (6) Re-establish of an annual revival service. (7) Ministry of Giving was started for the sick and shut-in, in which gifts were given. (8) A new sound system was installed.

Then, in 2017 under the leadership of Bishop Samuel L. Green Sr, and Presiding Elder Remus Harper, Rev. Ramsey and the Pine Hill members achieved another great milestone (9) a long-standing Church Mortgage was paid off on August 30, 2017 @ 1:45pm. God continued to shower blessings upon Pine Hill through donations - a new church sign was received from Rev. Dr. Friendly J. Gadson and the members of Mt. Olive AME Church, Woodrow ,SC; and, a copier was received from Rev. Wallace Preston along with the officers and members of Willow Grove A.M.E. Church, Rembert, SC.

Rev. Ramsey, the officers and members continued to work hard amid a Global Pandemic, under the guidance of Presiding Elder Joseph Postell, on April 26, 2021, the church land was surveyed. Moreover, a church logo was created and adopted; food giveaways were distributed for the members and community.