Which churches have separated from the UMCSC?
By Jessica Brodie
The South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church has experienced two sets of church separations, one in June 2023 and one in June 2024.
In June 2023, 113 churches across the state left the denomination over sexuality and other concerns. The 113 churches comprise almost 12 percent of the 958 total UMCs in South Carolina at that time and came from every one of the 12 districts in the conference.
In June 2024, 112 additional churches separated from the South Carolina Conference for the same reasons. That 112 represents about 13.4 percent of the 836 total churches in the South Carolina Conference and again comes from every one of the 12 districts.
Altogether, 225 churches left of the 958 starting number, which is a grand total of about 23.4 percent.
2024 separations
On Tuesday afternoon, June 11, 2024, in a moment of gravity and quiet blessing, the South Carolina Annual Conference voted overwhelmingly to approve the separation of 112 churches across the state that have chosen to leave the denomination over sexuality and other concerns.
That 112 represents about 13.4 percent of the 836 total churches in the South Carolina Conference from every one of the 12 districts. The number is one church fewer than the number that separated from the denomination last year, in 2023.
Here is what passed with the names, cities and districts of the churches that left:
Resolution:
Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church to ratify and approve the closure of the below listed churches.
The South Carolina Conference has used Para. 2549 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (2016) to close churches. Many of these churches were closed on an ad-interim basis because of exigent circumstances.
A number of United Methodist churches in South Carolina find themselves unable to serve the purpose for which they were organized, because issues related to human sexuality have prevented them, in that they cannot accept the actions taken in The United Methodist Church. Thus, the issues of human sexuality have prevented them in their mission to make disciples for the transformation of the world.
The Board of Trustees, with understanding of the difficulties of owning, insuring, and maintaining closed church properties, with prayer, consultation, and reflection, guided by input of the Cabinet and conference leadership, developed, and refined a Separation Agreement.
This Separation Agreement required the local church to participate in a discernment process, and once that was completed allowed for a Church Conference vote on separation from The United Methodist Church. The following churches have followed this process, and by votes of at least 2/3 majority have voted to separate from The United Methodist Church. They have signed a Separation Agreement and have placed their payments for separation in escrow.
These churches are now before this body for approval of their closure, pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement.
It is the belief of the Board of Trustees that these closures are the best pathway to allow the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church to follow The Book of Discipline and to allow these churches desiring to depart to do so with grace.
Therefore, be it resolved, that pursuant to the authority granted to the Board of Trustees and to this body under 112549.3(b) of The Book of Discipline, as confirmed by the District Superintendents of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, the Cabinet and Bishop Holston, and authorized by vote of this body, be it here approved that the Separation Agreements duly executed by the following churches shall govern the disposition of the property of the below listed churches. The recorded deeds shall be valid to transfer the title to the real property and this document shall be approved by this body as binding on the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Be it here approved that the following United Methodist churches will be closed effective June 30, 2024.
The churches:
Church (GCFA#), Town (District)
1. Donalds (270612), Honea Path (Anderson)
2. Gilgal (270601), Due West (Anderson)
3. Main Street (274585), Abbeville (Anderson)
4. New Hope (271057), Anderson (Anderson)
5. Pendleton (270805), Pendleton (Anderson)
6. Sharon (270964), Abbeville (Anderson)
7. Shiloh (271002), Due West (Anderson)
8. Shiloh (270986), Piedmont (Anderson)
9. Smyrna (270691), Abbeville (Anderson)
10. Knightsville (271970), Summerville (Charleston)
11. Lebanon (271844), Ridgeville (Charleston)
12. Mt Zion (275977), Jamestown (Charleston)
13. New Hope (276015), Jamestown (Charleston)
14. New Hope (271811), Summerville (Charleston)
15. St James (275864), Jamestown (Charleston)
16. Bethel (272438), Winnsboro (Columbia)
17. Beulah (272518), Gilbert (Columbia)
18. Ebenezer (280677), Elgin (Columbia)
19. Rehoboth (272564), Columbia (Columbia)
20. Salem (280688), Elgin (Columbia)
21. Smyrna (280690), Elgin (Columbia)
22. Zion (272358), Blythewood (Columbia)
23. Hebron (275693), Cades (Florence)
24. Pergamos (275751), Cades (Florence)
25. Union/Manning (276117), Jordan (Florence)
26. Bramlett (273400), Gray Court (Greenville)
27. Green Pond (273546), Gray Court (Greenville)
28. Northside (273785), Greenville (Greenville)
29. Bethany (272770), Saluda (Greenwood)
30. Cambridge (274643), Ninety Six (Greenwood)
31. Edgefield (274745), Edgefield (Greenwood)
32. Emory (272792), Saluda (Greenwood)
33. Harmony (272826), Johnston (Greenwood)
34. Johnston (272861), Johnston (Greenwood)
35. Leesville (272815), Leesville (Greenwood)
36. McKendree (275352), Trenton (Greenwood)
37. Mount Lebanon (274756), Greenwood (Greenwood)
38. Mt Pleasant (272690), Pomaria (Greenwood)
39. Nazareth (272883), Saluda (Greenwood)
40. New Chapel (274712), Newberry (Greenwood)
41. St John’s (272347), Batesburg (Greenwood)
42. Trenton (275363), Trenton (Greenwood)
43. Troy (274858), Greenwood (Greenwood)
44. Wightman (273056), Prosperity (Greenwood)
45. Zoar (272837), Saluda (Greenwood)
46. Bethlehem (280121), Hartsville (Hartsville)
47. Elim (275614), Lamar (Hartsville)
48. Mount Olivet (280256), Cheraw (Hartsville)
49. Prospect (280154), Hartsville (Hartsville)
50. Sandy Grove (280234), Bethune (Hartsville)
51. Shiloh (280245), Chesterfield (Hartsville)
52. St Luke (280291), Hartsville (Hartsville)
53. Tabernacle (280724), Hartsville (Hartsville)
54. Trinity (275682), Darlington (Hartsville)
55. Union (280735), McBee (Hartsville)
56. Wesley Chapel (280405), Lydia (Hartsville)
57. Zoar (280267), Chesterfield (Hartsville)
58. Antioch (276700), Conway (Marion)
59. Central (276892), Marion (Marion)
60. Ebenezer/Tatum (277225), Bennettsville (Marion)
61. First (277021), Myrtle Beach (Marion)
62. Hopewell (277008), Fork (Marion)
63. Latta (276824), Latta (Marion)
64. Macedonia (276983), Mullins (Marion)
65. Mt Andrew (277054), Latta (Marion)
66. New El Bethel (277101), Conway (Marion)
67. New Hope (277134), Wallace (Marion)
68. Pleasant Hill (277178), Mullins (Marion)
69. Poplar (277010), Conway (Marion)
70. Shiloh (276755), Bennettsville (Marion)
71. Shiloh (276915), Marion (Marion)
72. St Paul’s Waccamaw (277087), Pawley’s Island (Marion)
73. Union (277032), Conway (Marion)
74. Andrew Chapel (277748), St Matthews (Orangeburg)
75. Bethel (274984), Jackson (Orangeburg)
76. Ebenezer (277351), Bowman (Orangeburg)
77. Elloree (277522), Elloree (Orangeburg)
78. Holly Hill (277624), Holly Hill (Orangeburg)
79. Jericho (277497), Cameron (Orangeburg)
80. Jerusalem (277646), Elloree (Orangeburg)
81. New Hope/Rowesville (277828), Branchville (Orangeburg)
82. St John (272325), Aiken (Orangeburg)
83. Wesley Chapel/Calhoun (278093), St Matthews (Orangeburg)
84. White House (277395), Bowman (Orangeburg)
85. Wightman (277418), Bowman (Orangeburg)
86. Adnah (278594), Rock Hill (Rock Hill)
87. Antioch (278743), Rock Hill (Rock Hill)
88. Friendship (278652), Rock Hill (Rock Hill)
89. Heath Memorial (278253), Rock Hill (Rock Hill)
90. Kings Mountain Chapel (278710), York (Rock Hill)
91. Mt Holly (278685), Rock Hill (Rock Hill)
92. St Paul (278218), York (Rock Hill)
93. Enoree (273466), Enoree (Spartanburg)
94. Gramling (279326), Gramling (Spartanburg)
95. Landrum (279441), Landrum (Spartanburg)
96. Mesopotamia (279372), Gaffney (Spartanburg)
97. Patterson Chapel (274255), Enoree (Spartanburg)
98. Trinity (279257), Gaffney (Spartanburg)
99. Bethel (271478), Harleyville (Walterboro)
100. Bethel (271855), Ruffin (Walterboro)
101. Duncan Chapel (271491), Harleyville (Walterboro)
102. Ebenezer (271514), Walterboro (Walterboro)
103. Ebenezer/Yemassee (272121), Walterboro (Walterboro)
104. First (271786), Harleyville (Walterboro)
105. Grover (271764), St George (Walterboro)
106. Indian Field (271822), St George (Walterboro)
107. Providence (271467), St George (Walterboro)
108. Rehoboth (271412), Cottageville (Walterboro)
109. Salem/Hendersonville (271558), Walterboro (Walterboro)
110. St George (272028), St George (Walterboro)
111. St Johns (272006), Ruffin (Walterboro)
112. Tabor (271957), Ruffin (Walterboro)
2023 separating churches
In a solemn and historical moment of holy conferencing, the South Carolina Annual Conference approved June 6, 2023, the separation of 113 churches across the state who have chosen to leave The United Methodist Church over sexuality and other concerns.
The 113 churches comprise almost 12 percent of the 958 total churches in the South Carolina Conference of the UMC and represent every one of the 12 districts in the conference.
Here is what passed with the names, cities and districts of the churches that left.
Resolution:
Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church to ratify and approve the closure of the below listed churches.
Whereas, the South Carolina Conference has used Para. 2549 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (2016) to close churches. Many of these churches were closed on an ad-interim basis because of exigent circumstances.
Whereas, the General Conference of The United Methodist Church held in 2019 had before the body changes to The Book of Discipline addressing human sexuality. There were no changes made at this conference to any provision addressing human sexuality.
Whereas, the very clear language of Para. 2553 of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, adopted by the General Conference of The United Methodist Church held in 2019, allows a church to disaffiliate from the denomination for reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of The Book of Discipline related to the practice of homosexuality, the ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals as resolved and adopted by the 2019 General Conference, or the actions or inactions of the annual conference of that particular local church, related to these issues which followed the 2019 General Conference. Giving these words their ordinary meaning, a local church in South Carolina cannot disaffiliate using Para. 2553 of The Book of Discipline because of actions or inaction in other annual conferences.
Whereas, Bishop Holston and the South Carolina Conference have not made any statements contrary to The Book of Discipline on these issues. The South Carolina Conference has affirmed its commitment to the language and positions set forth in The Book of Discipline with consistency.
Whereas, it is clear a number of United Methodist churches in South Carolina find themselves unable to serve the purpose for which they were organized, in that they cannot accept the actions taken in other Conferences of The United Methodist Church and cannot support the possible future actions of future General Conferences as binding on them on the issues of human sexuality. The issues of human sexuality have prevented them in their mission to make disciples for the transformation of the world.
Whereas, the Board of Trustees, with understanding of the difficulties of owning, insuring, and maintaining closed church properties, with prayer, consultation, and reflection, guided by input of the Cabinet and conference leadership, and with the framework of the Agreement format for disaffiliation, developed and refined a Separation Agreement.
Whereas, this Separation Agreement required the local church to participate in a discernment process, and once that was completed allowed for a Church Conference vote on separation from The United Methodist Church.
Whereas, the following churches have followed this process, and by votes of at least 2/3 majority have voted to separate from The United Methodist Church. They have signed a Separation Agreement, and have placed their payments for separation in escrow.
Whereas, these churches are now before this body for approval of their closure, pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement.
Whereas, it is the belief of the Board of Trustees that these closures are the best pathway to allow the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church to follow The Book of Discipline and to allow these churches desiring to depart to do so with grace.
Therefore, be it resolved, that pursuant to the authority granted to the Board of Trustees and to this body under Para. 2549.3(b) of The Book of Discipline, as confirmed by the District Superintendents of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, the Cabinet and Bishop Holston, and authorized by vote of this body, be it here approved that the Separation Agreements duly executed by the following churches shall govern the disposition of the property of the below listed churches. The recorded deeds shall be valid to transfer the title to the real property and this document shall be approved by this body as binding on the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Be it here approved that the following United Methodist churches will be closed effective June 30, 2023.
The churches:
St. Andrew (Anderson District/Easley)
Chiquola (Anderson/Honea Path)
Bells (Anderson/Abbeville)
Salem (Anderson/Salem)
Aldersgate (Charleston District/N Charleston)
Charleston Korean (Charleston/N Charleston)
Friendship (Charleston/Cross)
Pinopolis (Charleston/Pinopolis)
Point Hope (Charleston/Mount Pleasant)
Columbia Korean (Columbia District/Columbia)
Rehoboth/Leesville (Columbia/Batesburg Leesville)
Chapin (Columbia/Chapin)
Lebanon (Columbia/Eastover)
Mount Horeb (Columbia/Lexington)
Pond Branch (Columbia/Gilbert)
Cades (Florence District/Cades)
Cameron (Florence/Lake City)
First/Hemingway (Florence/Hemingway)
St. Paul/Coward (Florence/Coward)
Ebenezer (Florence/Hemingway)
Old Johnsonville (Florence/Johnsonville)
Mount Vernon (Florence/Greeleyville)
Prospect (Florence/Pamplico)
Lane (Florence/Lane)
Liberty Chapel (Florence/Florence)
New Zion (Florence/New Zion)
Pine Grove/Timmonsville (Florence/Timmonsville)
Pisgah (Florence/Florence)
Cedar Swamp (Florence/Kingstree)
Millwood (Florence/Kingstree)
Tabernacle (Florence/Pamplico)
Shiloh/Turbeville {Florence/Lynchburg)
Trinity/New Zion (Florence/Alcolu)
Trio (Florence/Salters)
Pine Grove/Turbeville (Florence/Turbeville)
Salem/Timmonsville (Florence/Timmonsville)
Earle (Florence/Andrews)
Suttons (Florence/Andrews)
Good Hope (Florence/Hemingway)
St. Luke/Kingstree (Florence/Salters)
Dials (Greenville District/Gray Court)
Shiloh (Greenville/Gray Court)
Buncombe Street (Greenville/Greenville)
Covenant (Greenville/Greer)
Sharon/Greer (Greenville/Greer)
Zoar/Greer (Greenville/Greer)
Mauldin (Greenville/Mauldin)
Mountain View (Greenville/Taylors)
Hodges (Greenwood District/Hodges)
Shiloh (Greenwood/Saluda)
Butler (Greenwood/Saluda)
McCormick (Greenwood/McCormick)
Concord (Hartsville District/Bishopville)
Dalzell (Hartsville/Dalzell}
Lewis Chapel (Hartsville/Sumter)
Bethel/Oswego (Hartsville/Sumter)
McLeod Chapel (Hartsville/Rembert)
St. John/Rembert (Hartsville/Rembert)
St. John/Sumter (Hartsville/Sumter)
St. Mark’s/Sumter (Broad Street) (Hartsville/Sumter)
St. Matthew/Bishopville (Hartsville/Bishopville)
Beulah (Hartsville/Camden)
Trinity/Andrews (Marion District/Andrews)
Wayne (Marion/Georgetown)
Bethel/Georgetown (Marion/Andrews)
Aynor (Marion/Aynor)
Rehoboth/Aynor (Marion/Galivants Ferry)
First/Bennettsville (Marion/Bennettsville)
Zoan (Marion/Loris)
Antioch/Bennettsville (Marion/Bennettsville)
Christ/Bennettsville (Marion/Bennettsville)
Pisgah (Marion/Aynor)
Boykin (Marion/Bennettsville)
Trinity/Clio (Marion/Clio)
Pine Grove (Marion/McColl)
Smyrna/Bennettsville (Marion/Bennettsville)
Berea (Marion/McColl)
Main Street/Dillon (Marion/Dillon)
First/Loris (Marion/Loris)
Main Street/McColl (Marion/McColl)
Brown Swamp (Marion/Conway)
Oak Grove/Wallace (Marion/Wallace)
Pleasant Hill/Wallace (Marion/Wallace)
Center (Marion/Mullins)
Tranquil (Marion/Mullins)
Limestone (Orangeburg District/Orangeburg)
Ebenezer/Orange Cir (Orangeburg/North)
Cattle Creek (Orangeburg/Rowesville)
Grace Community (Rock Hill District/Fort Mill)
Capers Chapel (Rock Hill/Chester)
Catawba (Rock Hill/Catawba)
New Hope/Chester (Rock Hill/Chester)
Armenia (Rock Hill/Chester)
Mount Vernon (Rock Hill/Hickory Grove)
Bethel/Lancaster (Rock Hill/Lancaster)
Wesley Chapel (Spartanburg District/Union)
Liberty/Campobello (Spartanburg/Landrum)
Buffalo (Spartanburg/Buffalo)
Campobello (Spartanburg/Campobello)
Carlisle (Spartanburg/Carlisle)
Bethlehem/Jonesville (Spartanburg/Union)
Sardis/Union (Spartanburg/Union)
Fosters Chapel (Spartanburg/Jonesville)
Lyman (Spartanburg/Lyman)
Roebuck (Spartanburg/Roebuck)
Reidville Road (Spartanburg/Moore)
Walnut Grove (Spartanburg/Roebuck)
Tillman (Walterboro District/Tillman)
Cottageville (Walterboro/Cottageville)
Cypress (Walterboro/Ridgeville)
Mount Tabor (Walterboro/Ridgeville)
Trinity/Ridgeville (Walterboro/Ridgeville)
St. Paul/Ridgeland (Walterboro/Ridgeland)
