North Greenville Church was born from the closure of Travelers ARP Church, which began in 2007 as a mission church. Rev. William L. (Billy) Barron was hired as pastor with a Provisional Session made up of five ruling elders. The purpose was to establish a Biblically sound church in the Reformed tradition where the whole counsel of God is preached, and the Lord is worshipped with reverence. After five years of laboring as pastor, Pastor Barron transitioned to a bi-vocational status, working also with World Witness, and pastoring with the help of interns. He would consequently resign as pastor of Travelers Church in August 2015. In March 2016 the Extension Commitee of the Second Presbytery of the ARP closed down the church in Travelers Rest. However, many from this congregation wanted to remain together to form and establish, with the same purpose, the North Greenville Church. It continued to meet at the local YMCA. In April 2016, NGC began meeting at The Woodlands at Furman Retirement Home with Sunday Worship, Sunday School, and Wednesday Bible Study. Through all of this, Pastor Barron was advising and preaching at NGC, as well as preaching in another church in Tennessee. While away, other ordained ministers and interns would preach. When the Woodlands imposed quarantine protocol in 2020, NGC was able to meet in a Youth room of Westwood Baptist Church in Easley, SC, and continued Sunday School, Worship services, and home Bible study.
In March of 2021, Pastor Barron was officially called as the pastor of NGC. In June 2021, the members of NGC voted to purchase the property of Gateway Baptist Church in Travelers Rest. By God’s grace and blessings, NGC held the first service at the new church on Sunday, October 10, 2021.
Currently, Pastor Barron is serving as Senior Pastor and will be retiring imminently. Rev. Tim Leslie, though retired, is serving as assistant to Pastor Barron. The Session in presently in the process of exploring a Reformed and Presbyterian denominational affiliation.
