The historical record starts in 1857

Griffin’s founding year is recorded in Furman University’s guide to South Carolina Baptist church records. The entry identifies Griffin in Pickens County as organized in 1857, and lists records covering 1857–1972. That gives the church a documented nineteenth-century starting point, rather than relying only on a general description of it as more than 150 years old.

The date refers to when the congregation organized. It should not be read as the construction date of the brick sanctuary in the photograph. Church histories follow the people and their institution across time, while buildings can be replaced or enlarged. Keeping those histories distinct allows Griffin’s long record to speak for itself without assigning an unverified age to the present structure.

The Griffin family connection

A family account by Marilyn G. Morton in the July–August 1999 issue of Journeys Through Jackson credits Sargent Griffin and his wife, Avarilla Barton Griffin, with donating land and money in 1857 for a church and cemetery near Glassy Mountain. Morton describes their contribution as three acres and $10 and attributes the church’s name to that gift.

A church facing Glassy Mountain

The church’s own description of its setting places Glassy Mountain across the street from the sanctuary. That relationship makes the mountain part of Griffin’s everyday surroundings, rather than simply a distant backdrop. The church’s published address is 1629 Pumpkintown Highway, Pickens, South Carolina 29671.

If you want to explore the landscape as well as its buildings, our Glassy Mountain guide covers the nearby mountain as a separate outing. Use the designated access described there; the church grounds should not be assumed to be public trail parking. For the wider area, the Pumpkintown visitor guide helps connect the communities and places along a foothills visit.

What Griffin says about worship today

Griffin describes itself as a conservative Southern Baptist congregation and identifies the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as a summary of its beliefs. Its About Us page explains that it is an autonomous local church cooperating with the Southern Baptist Convention in missions and other ministries. The South Carolina Baptist Convention’s directory also lists the church at its Pumpkintown Highway address.

For visitors, the church describes services that include singing, Scripture reading, prayer, baptism and communion, giving, and preaching through books of the Bible. That is a more useful introduction than assuming what a particular Sunday will feel like. Follow the sermon link on the official church website to listen before attending, or contact the office with practical questions about your visit.

Service times and contact information

The following schedule is published on Griffin’s official website and was checked October 17, 2026. Use the church’s current announcements or call the office for holiday changes and special services.

Day	Gathering	Time
Sunday	Sunday School	9 a.m.
Sunday	Morning service	10 a.m.
Sunday	Evening service	6 p.m.
Wednesday	Youth group	6:15 p.m.
Wednesday	Mid-week service	6:30 p.m.
Wednesday	Children’s ministry	6:30 p.m.

Children, youth, and family ministry

The church’s Family Ministry page describes a program that supports parents in teaching their children. Children and youth have Sunday School at 9 a.m.; their Wednesday activities begin at the separate times shown above. The page also describes children’s seasonal events and mission projects, along with youth outings, camps, and retreats.

Those descriptions explain the ministry’s scope, but a listed event type is not a date on the calendar. Check the church’s Media page and weekly bulletin link for current announcements. If you are bringing children for the first time, ask the office about age groups, where to arrive, and any arrangements your family needs before setting out.

For family-history researchers

Furman’s cataloged record range makes Griffin worth remembering when a Pickens County family search reaches the nineteenth century. Begin with a person’s name and a date range, then ask the archive about access to the relevant material. A catalog entry identifies a collection; it does not mean every year has a complete register or that every family member appears.

The Pickens County cemetery survey index lists Griffin Baptist under reference P062, at Route 8 and Griffin Church Road. It provides another starting point for burial research. If you plan a cemetery visit, contact the church about access and the location you need, respect any service or funeral underway, and leave stones and decorations undisturbed.

Continue exploring the foothills’ church history

Griffin is one part of a larger local story. Our historic churches of Pumpkintown and the Oolenoy Valley guide offers a broader reading route, while the article on Oolenoy Baptist Church focuses on another valley congregation. For a different community history near Table Rock, read about Soapstone Baptist Church and the Liberia community.