Garden Sanctuary had its beginning more than 90 years ago.  In the summer of 1915 Mr. Otto Cox, an employee of Aragon Mill, and Mill Molly Miller, a
Church of God member from North Carolina, were instrumental in bringing
 Rev. R. S. Underwood and Rev. G. T. Stargel to Rock Hill with a two-pole tent.
The tent was set up at the corner of Laurel and White Streets.  Following a 
revival, the Rock Hill Church of God began with 13 members.  Dan Boughman
was appointed as leader, and the group worshiped for a time in a garage.
In 1918 the church was organized with 33 members by Rev. W. H. Cross, State
Overseer, who served as pastor for a short time.  Among the charter members
were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Childers, who remained as members throughout their
lifetime.  A red- painted house at 133 Adams Street was purchased.  This location
was on property that later became Rock Hill Printing & Finishing Co.
Partitions were taken out and the house was used as a church.  In 1919 Rev. Cross
had to leave the church without a pastor.  In 1921 Rev. Ed Johnson came to pastor,
and a frame building was constructed over and around the small cottage.
From 1921 to 1928 several pastors served the church.  Rev. George Cooper was
pastor from 1928- 1932 and gives his own account as follows:
“The first Sunday we had only 11 in Sunday School.  Five of those
were my family and a friend who came with us.  Two people paid
tithe that day - $2.00 total.
The last year I was there, our membership almost doubled as this
was the only year while there I gave all my time to the church
and did not have to work to make a living.  When I left we had
76 members and the church was paying $20 to $25 a week tithe,
although it was depression days and members were making
$7.50 to $9.75 a week in the mills.”
In 1929 the house was sold, and after all bills were paid, the church had $1085 that
was used to buy a lot and build a new cement block church on Cedar Street.  The
church then became known as Cedar Street Church of God.
In 1938 a 40 x 60 ft. brick church was erected across the street at a cost of about
$9,000.  This building is now our small sanctuary.  In 1943 the church voted to
purchase a house and lot on Crest Street to be used for a parsonage, the price
of which was not to exceed $4500.  The Sunday School and LWWB were to loan
$200 each to the surplus tithe fund so a $500 down payment could be made.
“The local trustees were granted authority to borrow $3500 from Mr. R. W. Rogers
and $500 from the Rock Hill National Bank with which to buy the house at
518 Crest St.”  (From Quarterly Conference minutes, February 9, 1944)
In 1946 property values were $15,000 for the church building and $7,500 for the
parsonage; total value $22,500.  In 1947 a 15-unit educational complex was added
to the rear of the church building with Sunday School rooms, office, baptistry and
radio studio for broadcasting directly from the church.  This building is still being
used as an educational plant today.  In 1952 our total properties were valued
at $65,000.
Rev. C. M. Jinkerson returned to pastor the church from 1950 to 1960.  During his
tenure a new parsonage was erected on Cedar Street, and a house and lot next to
the church were purchased.  The house was moved to make way for a new sanctuary,
and a building fund was started.  However, Rev. Jinkerson left for a state overseer
appointment in Illinois before the sanctuary could be constructed.  In 1960
Rev. S. A. Luke came to pastor for the next four years, and on April 23, 1961
ground was broken and a new sanctuary and connecting wing to the old church
were erected at a cost of about $65,000.  Total new construction and remodeled
buildings now were valued at about $76,000.
During the years of 1968-1988, under the pastorate of Rev. Richard Dillingham,
church properties were increased by the purchase of numerous houses,
businesses and vacant lots surrounding the church.  All houses were removed,
lots were landscaped, a paved parking lot was added across the street and a new
church sign was erected at the front of the lot.
In the 1970’s, the church operated a bus ministry that brought in as many as 400
students to Sunday School, and in August 1972 the Kiddie Kollege child
development center was started.  In 1974 the parsonage was destroyed by fire and
a new one was built.  During this period a second parsonage was erected for the
associate pastor.  In 1977 the interior of the sanctuary and the educational
building were renovated.  In 1978 construction was begun on a Family Center,
and dedication of that building took place on February 3, 1979.  The church
voted to change its name in the 80’s, and it is now known as Garden Sanctuary.
In 1994 Rev. Mike Wooten came as our pastor, and the church has
experienced a renewed vision under his direction.  In 1996 the family center was totally refurbished and now houses Kiddie Kollege.  In 1997 our sanctuary was
renovated with removal of the balcony, installation of new carpet, new pews, choir
chairs and stained glass windows, and renovation of the stage area.
In 1999 the interior of the senior pastor’s parsonage was updated and new
furnishings acquired.  In 2001 an additional property was obtained on Crest Street.
Our second parsonage now houses our Youth and Christian Education Minister.
On May 16, 2004, groundbreaking took place for the construction of a new
18,600 sq. ft. multipurpose building attached to the upper side of the existing
sanctuary, and the project was completed and dedicated on June 6, 2005.
A stewardship campaign to support the project, with the theme "Together We
 Build", was started in January 2004, and in June 2004 the accompanying
Capital Fund Drive began and continued through June 2007.  Also, on 
November 6, 2005 the church celebrated our 90th birthday with a special
special morning service in which we hosted many former pastors and members
as guests.  At the completion of our new addition in 2005, properties were valued
in the neighborhood of $5 million.  God has blessed Garden Sanctuary
tremendously, and we give him all the praise.