Our Story

“Looking to the hills from whence cometh our help…” – Psalm 121:1


The story of Rock Hill Baptist Church II begins in 1885, when a group of committed believers gathered in a brush arbor, an outdoor worship space fashioned from logs and brush near the brushy creek near present day Jacobs Road in Greenville SC. On March 4, 1886, the church took root on land deeded by Wilson Easley for five dollars. Trustees Elias Rodgers and J.H. Tanner signed the deed, with the stipulation that the land be used solely for church and school purposes.


The church was named by twin brothers, Reverend Jesse Robinson and Reverend Jacob Robinson, who served as the founding pastor and assistant pastor. The early members gave generously, offering lumber, money, and labor to build a one-room sanctuary. These sacrifices reflected their unwavering faith in God, rooted in Psalm 121:1–2: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”


Steadfast Leadership and Steady Growth

Over the years, Rock Hill Baptist Church II was guided by numerous pastors whose service helped shape its spiritual and organizational strength, not all are mentioned due to a loss of history:


Rev. Williams, Rev. W.R. Martin, Rev. J.O. Gordon, Rev. T.B. Butler, Rev. George Wofford, Rev. T.C. Bolding, Rev. T.R. Tolbert, Rev. J.B. Bailey, Rev. Dr. S.C. Cureton, Rev. H.L. Sullivan, Rev. E. Wesley Watkins, Rev. O.L. Robinson, Rev. Kenneth Murray, Jr., Bishop Isaac McCullough, Rev. Willie James Choice, Sr., Rev. Kambeya Wa Kambeya, Rev. Dr. Lerone J. Wilder, Rev. Littlejohn, and currently Pastor Matthew D. Long, Jr.

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Milestones in Ministry (1966–2005)

Milestones in Ministry (1966–2005)

In 1966, under Rev. E. Wesley Watkins, the church experienced substantial ministry expansion. Key initiatives included the Tithing Ministry, Brotherhood, Mother’s Board, Youth Auxiliaries, Baptist Training Union, Boy and Cub Scouts, Pastor’s Aid Club, and Junior Deacon Board. In 1975, the church burned its mortgage, symbolizing both financial and spiritual freedom.


Between 1992 and 2005, The Rock Hill II Church continued to grow:


1992 – Gospel Choir, Children’s Church, Church Softball Team, and outreach to Holmes View Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center


1996 – Fellowship Hall added and New Converts Class implemented


1998 – Expansion of the Music Ministry, Outreach Ministry, Christian Education, quarterly fellowship activities, New Members Training, Youth Bible Study, Youth Baseball and Basketball Teams; renovations to the sanctuary; and the addition of a Computer Lab


2005 – Formation of a dedicated Evangelism Ministry


2020- New portico facelift led by Trustee L.R. Byrd


A Legal and Spiritual Shift

Under the leadership of Rev. Willie James Choice, Sr., the church was officially incorporated and the name formally became Rock Hill Baptist Church II, marking a new season in its organizational and spiritual identity.

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A Season of Faith: Pastor Matthew D. Long, Jr. (2021–Present)

In 2021, Pastor Matthew D. Long, Jr. was elected Senior Pastor and officially installed by Rev. Sean Dogan of Long Branch Baptist Church and Bishop Randy Borders of Faith Harvest Church. His leadership brought renewed energy, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to spiritual excellence, community engagement, and generational transformation.


Under Pastor Long’s leadership:


  • Deacons were ordained, strengthening the spiritual infrastructure and leadership of the church


  • Rock Hill II Kids Ministry was launched, creating a dedicated discipleship space for children


  • The church formed over 15 community partnerships, including:


  • Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, resulting in the installation of a Food Blessing Box and Little Treehouse Library to address food insecurity and literacy disparities in the Pleasant Valley community


  • The church hosted community town halls for neighboring apartment residents and forums for political leaders and candidates


  • Facility upgrades were completed in two major phases:


  1. Phase One: Sanctuary redesign with a upgradeable technological infrastructure, purchase of church bus.
  2. Phase Two: Transformation of the church’s Flex Hall into a modern, rentable event space with upgraded technology and accommodations


  • The Cyber Church was established, extending the church’s reach across the United States and the Caribbean, welcoming cyber members into full fellowship.


  • In response to post-pandemic realities, the church shifted its Sunday worship time to noon, making space for renewed rhythms of life and worship


Every November, the church’s month-long anniversary celebration culminates with Heritage Sunday, a powerful and reflective moment where the families of Rock Hill Baptist Church II sow financially and spiritually into the future of the church—ensuring that the legacy continues, the vision expands, and we ask the Lord to save future generations.


Pastor Long continues to lead with clarity, conviction, and compassion, declaring that:


“I love you and you can’t do a thing about it!”

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Still Standing. Still Serving. Still Growing.

For over 140 years, Rock Hill Baptist Church II has stood as a beacon of faith and resilience. From a brush arbor to a vibrant digital ministry, from early farmers to cyber saints—this church has never ceased to emerge, evolve, and elevate.




We are Rock Hill Baptist Church II. Still growing. Still glorifying God.

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