About Buncombe Street

Buncombe Street Methodist Church was founded. The congregation was initially established as Greenville Methodist Episcopal Church in a frame building on Coffee Street. 

Land was deeded by Vardry McBee to be used to establish a church, a heritage we share with other downtown congregations: Christ Church, First Presbyterian, First Baptist.

A new building was dedicated on property at the corner of Buncombe Street and Richardson Street and the name changed to Buncombe Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South. It is in this location that we continue to join together in worship, service and fellowship. 

First addition made to the campus: the original Education Building was dedicated.

Boy Scout Troop 9 was launched at Buncombe Street.  Over 175 Eagle Scouts (and counting) have been produced by Troup 9.

Reunification of the northern and southern branches of the Methodist Church is achieved.  The name of the church was changed to Buncombe Street Methodist Church.

Our first parsonage was acquired at 308 McDaniel Avenue.  We no longer own parsonage buildings; our clergy receive a housing stipend.

At a Day Camp Meeting the doors were locked until $39,978 was pledged to pay off the debt for the Education building and the parsonage.   It was a “Layman’s Day”, with any preachers being treated only as guests.

The Buncombe Street Soldier Recreation Center served over 8,000 soldiers during World War II.

Throughout our history, we have responded to the needs of our growing and thriving congregation with evolutions in our ministries and at least seven significant expansions and renovations to the facilities at 200 Buncombe Street.

Sanctuary was extended towards Buncombe Street, and capacity was increased from 550 to 850.  The basement social hall was enlarged as well.  The total cost was $286,087, and the debt was retired in four years.

Children’s Building erected.

Buncombe Street Kindergarten was launched.  Now it is known as our Child Development Center.

The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merge to create the United Methodist Church.  We become Buncombe Street United Methodist Church.

Family Activities Center and Memorial Chapel dedicated.

A monumental legacy gift from the estate of J. Kelly Sisk provides for the creation of the Sisk Foundation.  Since its inception, millions of dollars in grants have been made to spread the love of Christ and improve lives in Greenville County.

Creation of the Buncombe Street Endowment.  Through the generosity of donors, it has grown to over $9 million, and Endowment earnings supplement many of our ministries.

Continuing our Legacy Campaign successfully raises funds for major renovations of the church and construction of Sisk Hall.  Consecration Sunday was October 18, 1998.

On January 17, 1999, contemporary worship launched in Sisk Hall.  Known then as Spirit-to-spirit, it has evolved into The Table service.

We expanded in a new way when we adopted the former Trinity United Methodist Church at 2703 Augusta Street and made it a campus of Buncombe Street.

We separated from the United Methodist Church denomination and became an independent Methodist church. We returned to our roots of one campus in Downtown Greenville. The Trinity campus remained as a congregation of the United Methodist Church.

In 2025, we affiliated with the Global Methodist Church denomination. Learn more about the Global Methodist Church here.