“The church is the people, not the building.”

For more than a century, Pendleton Street Baptist Church stood as a fixture in the West End of Greenville, South Carolina. Established in 1889 as a mission of First Baptist Greenville, the church thrived for decades. However, as demographics shifted and the congregation aged, the church found itself increasingly disconnected from its surrounding community. What followed was a difficult but intentional journey of transformation—one that ultimately led to a faithful restart as West End Baptist Church.

A Call to Replant

As Pastor Marty Price and the church leadership reflected on their mission, they recognized that maintaining a large, historic facility had become more of a burden than a blessing. The congregation, once numbering in the hundreds, had dwindled to around 140-150 by 2003. With a facility that no longer aligned with their resources or purpose, they faced a pivotal decision—cling to a building or refocus on their calling to make disciples in the West End. “We just became convinced we needed to be the congregation God called us to be,” Price said.

Through much prayer and seeking God’s will, the church made a bold move. They voted to sell a portion of their property while remaining committed to their presence in the West End. During the transition, Price and West End’s leadership team requested SCBaptist to guide them through a consultation process to help them develop a unified vision for their future before relocating to the West End. “It has been a joy to work with the leadership of West End Baptist Church as they have intentionally sought to restart their mission of declaring the Gospel of Jesus in the West End of Greenville,” James Nugent, SCBaptist Director of Church Strategies, said. “Their vision to glorify God by making mature disciples of all nations has consistently been the driving force behind their efforts, and God is blessing their faithfulness.” 

The church met for six years at the Greenville Hilton while awaiting God’s provision for a new facility. That provision came in the form of a new location, not far from their original site, where they could construct a space better suited to their mission. By December 2022, West End Baptist Church was officially back in the neighborhood it had long called home.

A Mission-Driven Community

While some congregations might have seen their time away from their original facility as a reason to relocate permanently, West End remained deeply committed to their neighborhood. “We didn’t want to just relocate and be a congregation in a new area,” Price said. “We are convinced there needs to be a consistent Gospel witness in this area.”

That conviction has led to a variety of intentional outreach efforts. The church has built relationships with local schools, including Greenville High School, which is just down the block. The church has also opened its facility to serve the community in practical ways. The building is used for DSS visitation, CPR and first aid training through the Red Cross, and various church functions, including small groups, Bible studies, and men’s and women’s events. “Jesus loved people, so we do, too. We want to reach out to all people and express that in tangible ways,” Price said. The church participates in community benevolence ministries to provide groceries, utility assistance, and other emergency aid to those in need.

A Foundation on Biblical Truth

West End Baptist Church is dedicated to keeping Scripture central to its efforts. “A church that does not have a high value for the authority and truth of God’s Word will not be able to love people well,” Price said. “If you try to love people without valuing truth, you will fail.”

That emphasis on truth is paired with a focus on prayer, discipleship, and generosity. “We are a small but generous congregation,” Price shared. “We value discipleship—we don’t want to just be friends; we want friendships with purpose.”

Honoring the Past

While West End Baptist Church has embraced change, they have not forgotten their rich history. Elements from the old church building have been carefully integrated into the new facility as a tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness through the decades. Copper from the original steeple is displayed in the welcome center, and the pulpit from the old sanctuary remains in use every Sunday.

“We tell people this is not a new church plant or a rebranding,” Price explained. “Nothing has died here. This is a continuation of the work God started in 1889.” That commitment to both heritage and mission was evident when the church made the difficult decision to sell their original building. While many had deep attachments to the facility, leadership knew that their priority had to be on people, not property. “We became convinced that if we put the priority ofthe building over the mission, we were outside of glorifying God’s will,” Price said.

A Vision for the Future

In just over two years at their new facility, West End Baptist Church has already seen growth, with an average of 100 people in worship, nine baptisms, and new covenant members. “That’s an indication that god is working through this congregation to reach and change the lives of people–many coming from the West End community,” Price said. 

Looking ahead, the church aspires to expand its impact by continuing to make disciples who are on mission. They hope to develop a model of community-by-community multiplication, partnering with church planters to reach beyond the West End.

“This is just the beginning of what God has in store for us,” Price said. “We’re not here to rescue a building. We’re here to reach the community with the Gospel.”