About Us

One thing is evident about Antioch Baptist Church of Columbia. Her roots run deep into the heart and fabric of Columbia, South Carolina; evident by the generations of families who have worshipped here since her inception. Antioch’s rich history is embodied by three core elements, FAMILY, GROWTH, and TRADITIONS.

Antioch Baptist Church was founded by the Reverend Howard Robinson in 1914. The establishment of the Church began in a rear room of a house located at 1722 Rice Street, in the Wheeler Hill section of Columbia, South Carolina.

In 1918, Reverend James Chandler became the second Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, as they built and relocated into the Church at 1717 Rice Street.

Antioch continued to move forward, as Reverend T.C. Crumpton became successor to Reverend Chandler. During his pastorship, Reverend Crumpton worked faithfully in all phases of the Church and its auxiliaries.

In 1930, Antioch was blessed by the installation of her next leader, the fourth Pastor of Antioch, Reverend Jesse W. Neal. The church experienced many more expansions under his leadership. She was remodeled and the old mortgage was paid off and burned.

The Church purchased two acres of land near the Greenview Neighborhood in the North Columbia area in 1964.

Groundbreaking services were held in April 1977; construction began in June 1977 and the first Church services in our present edifice, located at 5715 Koon Road, was held on Sunday, December 11, 1977. Dedication Services were held during the month of February 1978 and the cornerstone was placed on the Church during April 1978.

On April 1, 1979, a special retirement service was presented in honor of thirty-six years of service as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church by Reverend Doctor James P. Neal, Sr.

The Church called her sixth pastor, Reverend W. J. McIllwain, on September 2, 1979. Under Pastor McIllwain’s leadership, and growth continued. Additional property was purchased and the parking lot was paved! Other groups within the church were formed that focused on family and service. Antioch became a part of the Scouting programs for boys and girls.

Antioch’s mortgage was paid in full on June 26, 1983.

In February 1985, Reverend T.R. Kennedy assumed the duties of Interim Pastor. During his tenure, the Church purchased seven (7) lots of land adjacent to her present location.

Reverend Doctor Albert Aiken Neal accepted the call to follow his father, Pastor J.P. Neal, Sr., and grandfather, Pastor J.W. Neal, and on October 26, 1986, was officially installed as the seventh pastor of Antioch.

Under the leadership of Pastor A. A. Neal, groundbreaking services were held on June 29, 1996 for the construction of The Antioch Family Life Center. Dedication Services were held on Sunday, December 14, 1997 and the cornerstone was placed on the Life Center on Saturday, September 25, 2004.

Antioch’s mortgage on The Family Life Center was paid in full on July 30, 2001. Property expansion continued through the purchasing of land within the church’s community.

The Antioch Baptist Church Community Park and Walking Trail was dedicated on June 7, 2008.

During the 96th Church Anniversary, September 26, 2010, the following members were honored for 50 years of continued membership: Trustee Woodrow Adams, Sister Flossie Alston, Brother Robert Anderson, Sister Villa Dean Anderson, Sister Lucille Epps, Sister Rosa Lee Funney, Trustee James C. Hall, Deaconess Edna Harrison, Sister Peggy Harrison, Deacon Robert Harrison, Sister Rosa O. Jackson, Sister Dornetha R. Johnson, Sister Mary M. Jones, Sister Rosa S. King, Sister Rue Bell Mickens, Trustee Alvin Oree, III, Sister Frances Smith, Sister Pearl Sumpter, Deacon Wilbur Tucker, Sr., Mother Marian B. Tucker, Sister Delphine Washington, Sister Daisy R. Weston, Sister Eloise Weston, and Trustee Odell R. Weston. For many of these families, their membership and service began in the early days of Antioch. The church continues to grow through the descendants of these cornerstone families-of whom still serve today.

Ground-breaking ceremonies for the Antioch Senior Care Center were held on Saturday, February 4, 2012 with the Representative Leon Howard and other dignitaries. It opened on May 13, 2013.

On September 14th of 2011, the Church was incorporated and the name officially was changed to Antioch Baptist Church of Columbia, Inc.

Under the leadership of Pastor, Albert Aiken Neal, a third generation Neal, Antioch forged commitments and partnerships for the purpose of community service and Christian fellowship. During his pastorate he was committed to applying Biblical truths into the everyday lives of God’s people. He focused on cherishing the past, serving the present, and fearlessly facing the future alongside his family, church officers and members. Dr. Neal retired as Antioch’s Pastor on June 20, 2023 having served for thirty-seven years. In October 2024, he was named and currently serves as Pastor Emeritus.

In August 2024, Antioch named her 8th pastor, Reverend Byron A. Dixon and he was installed on October 16, 2024. Pastor Dixon represents a new era for Antioch, focusing on unity, love, and faith. Excited to move Antioch into her next era, Dixon brings a youthful and ambitious energy attracting new families to join this body of believers.

Antioch is an Independent Educational and Missionary Baptist Church. It operates through the democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the Wateree Baptist Association-Upper Division. Antioch is a member of the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina and is affiliated with the Progressive and National Baptist Conventions of America.