Garden Sanctuary had its beginning more than 90 years ago.  In the
summer of 1915 Mr. Otto Cox, an employee of Aragon Mill, and
 Miss 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 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 these 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, and it now houses our part-time
Associate Minister.  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 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.