Flames tore through a century-old church building in Darlington County on Saturday, leaving behind smoldering ashes and heartbreak—but not silence.

According to the Christian Post, the congregation of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church returned to their familiar grounds in tents the next day, reaffirming their commitment to worship and each other despite the loss of their sanctuary.

The fire broke out on the afternoon of July 19, and by the time emergency crews arrived, the historic church was engulfed in flames. The call came in just after 4 p.m. to the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, prompting immediate response from multiple fire departments, including Palmetto Rural Fire District and West Florence Fire-Rescue.

Despite swift turnout from emergency responders, the 115-year-old church could not be saved. The building, which originally opened its doors in 1910 and served as a beacon in the community, was reduced to rubble by the time the fire was under control.

The Rev. Eugene Thomas, pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist, said he was devastated by the destruction. “I headed out here,” he told WBTW, “and when I got here and saw the shape it was already in, that church was basically gone.”

Historic Church Leaves Strong Emotional Impact

The church’s roots date back even further than its building. Originally founded in 1869 by the Rev. Daniel Jesse, Pleasant Grove is one of the oldest organized African American congregations in the area. Its impact on the Back Swamp and Pocket Road community has been long-standing.

“What a sad day — it appears that Pleasant Grove Baptist Church may be a total loss,” said Brian Gandy in a Facebook update. As director of the Darlington County Historical Commission and Museum, Gandy emphasized the deep history behind the structure.

Beyond the structure, he also paid tribute to the people. “This congregation is one of the oldest organized African American churches in Darlington County and has a very rich history,” he said. “This will be a blow, but with the members that I know at Pleasant Grove, they will rise above this.”

Worship Resumes Through Faith and Resilience

Originally, Rev. Thomas had intended to join another congregation at New Providence Missionary Baptist Church the following Sunday. However, his plans changed after the congregation expressed a desire to worship on their own land, even without a building.

“So many members came to me and said, ‘We want to be on our ground tomorrow,’” Thomas recalled. “And I said, ‘Yes, that’s it. That’s perfect. That’s just where we need to be.’”

So on July 20, the congregation gathered for Sunday worship in tents set up at the site of their destroyed church. Despite the ashes and twisted remnants around them, they prayed, sang, and found strength in their unity.

Community Offers Words of Support and Hope

Expressions of compassion came in quickly from the surrounding area. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Reverend Eugene Thomas and the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church family,” read a statement from the Palmetto Rural Fire District, one of the responding agencies.

Church member Tinika Reeves described the powerful emotions felt that weekend. “Once we pulled into the driveway, it was real. We felt it. And we just saw our building being totally destroyed,” she said.

Still, Reeves found spiritual strength in Sunday’s gathering. “You can have church anywhere,” she added. “The church was still together without the building.”

Looking Ahead with Enduring Faith

While recovering from the loss will take time, many believe the congregation’s resilience will guide them forward. Both leadership and members have already demonstrated their devotion to maintaining their community in spirit and action.

“That’s what I’ve seen through this,” Rev. Thomas said. “The church is one thing, and it’s not a building. It’s the people.”

No cause for the fire has been publicly determined at this time, and investigations into the incident are still ongoing. For now, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church continues to gather, pray, and rebuild—beginning not with bricks, but through bond and belief.