Association History

The organization of the Pee Dee Baptist Association in 1881 at the Pee Dee Union Baptist Church in Cheraw, South Carolina was no way a small matter or anything less than a quantum leap of faith. Approximately seventy-five leaders from area churches came together to forge an alliance. An alliance of survival and an alliance to protect and preserve the fledging church which had recently become the home of African Americans who were recently freed from the vestiges of slavery, and an alliance to promote the King and the Kingdom's Agenda through collective and collaborative efforts to advance their constituency and to put in place institutions for empowerment, human uplift and betterment.

With nothing but freedom, these courageous and daring souls recognized that as the Church of the Living God, they were challenged to be all that they claimed to be institutions for worship, but also institutions that reflected the nature and being of God. They understood that a profession of faith without an agenda of faith was a meaningless proclamation. So, they dared not only to organize and build buildings to house their congregations, but they also dared to organize themselves into units and structures to usher in the Kingdom of God. They understood that together they had a better opportunity to build bridges that would lead people to a confession of faith, assist them in occupying a land that was inhabited by hostile forces, and to empower them toward self-help and efficiency.

Significant to the ideal which forged the organization of the Association was the impetus demonstrated by its leadership to lead the state in the development of a State Baptist Convention. During its annual session held with the Zion Baptist Church, Columbia on October 21, 1875, the Reverend I. P. Brockington introduced an initiative which would eventually lead to the organization of the Baptist Educational Missionary and Sunday School Convention of South Carolina. As Moderator, he recommended that the Gethsemane Baptist Association, Lower Division, and the Gethsemane Baptist Association, III Division, be consulted about organizing a state convention. At the annual session, convened at Macedonia Baptist Church of Darlington on October 21, 1876, the association heard a report about the formation of a state convention. In May 1877, at Shiloh Baptist Church (First Missionary Baptist), Sumter, the convention was formed.

The Pee Dee Baptist Association has held a position of prominence in the life and history of the Baptist Church in South Carolina and the nation. She has long since been recognized as the largest association in the state and as the major contributor to the missions and education enterprises.

The Reverend J. Hamilton served as the organizing Moderator. He was succeeded by the Reverend A. R. Bacote who served for a year. Other Moderators were:

  • Reverend I. P. Brockington (1883-1908)
  • Dr. F. W. Prince (1908-1948)
  • Dr. E. M. Booker (1948-1963)
  • Dr. J. L. Brooks (1964-1978)

During the administration of Dr. J. L. Brooks, the Association instituted tenure which limits officers to a single four-year term.

  • Dr. G. A. Sellers (1979-1982)
  • Dr. W. P. Diggs, Sr. (1983-1986)
  • Dr. Henry McGill (1987-1990)
  • Dr. E. B. Burroughs (1991-1994)
  • Dr. Vandroth Backus (1995-1998)
  • Dr. Ezekiel F. Hampton (1999-2002)
  • Dr. W. L. Thompson, Sr. (2003-2006)
  • Dr. Mack T. Hines (2007-2010)
  • Dr. Ralph W. Canty, Sr. (2011-2014)
  • Dr. Henry B. Peoples (2015-2018)
  • Dr. Waymon Mumford (2019-2022)
  • Dr. Norman Gamble (2023-Present)

On November 10, 2010, we received a 501(c) (3) certificate (non-profit organization) for the Brooks, Booker and Ham Foundation, which opened new avenues for cultivation and development of our churches and communities. On December 1, 2025, we applied for and received another 501(c) (3) certificate. Since there was another association named the Pee Dee Baptist Association, we had to change our name to thePee Dee Missionary Baptist Association.

The Pee Dee Association is still poised to provide a leadership model for its member churches, and for other associations across the state and nation. While operating a salaried office, maintaining a headquarters complex with more than thirteen acres, providing dynamic educational opportunities and leadership modules for its member churches, the association continues to lead the state of South Carolina in support of Morris and Benedict Colleges, and other associations in the country in support of Historic Black Institutions of Higher Learning. Our member churches are members of the following State and National Conventions: Baptist Educational & Missionary Convention of South Carolina, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Progressive National Baptist Convention, and National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc.