On August 1, 1966, a VW “bug” driven by a young, enthusiastic Lutheran pastor, Ruben Olawsky, arrived in Mauldin.  After moving into the parsonage on Bethel Drive with his wife, Jane Anne, and their three children, William, Keith, and Mira, he began the task of developing a Lutheran mission congregation in the Golden Strip area.  His boundless enthusiasm was evident at the first worship service which was held at Mauldin Elementary School on October 23, 1966, with an attendance of 99. 

With choir practices held in the basement of the parsonage, Sunday morning worship services in the elementary school cafeteria, and planning meetings whenever and  wherever possible, Organizational Sunday, our first official birthday, was January 29, 1967, with a total of 144 charter baptized members.   A  groundbreaking service was held on March 3, 1968, and the first unit (present JOY Center and “old Sunday School building”)  were dedicated on November 17, 1968.  During the next two years, Messiah continued to grow; and in August, 1970, four years after his arrival, Pastor Olawsky accepted a call to Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church outside Columbia.

In January, 1971, the congregation called the Rev. Rodney W. Parrott whose wife, Pat, and their three children, Lisa, Eric, and Julie, were also quickly welcomed into the family of Messiah.  During the next ten years, many new programs were put into place; and Messiah began her outreach into the community.  For the first time in the history of the church, Messiah met its 1975 budget in full. 1976 proved to be a banner year as we were able to hire our first organist/choir director, became self supporting, and were listed as one of the eight fastest-growing Lutheran churches in South Carolina.  During 1982, following Pastor Parrott’s resignation, the Rev. Luther Swicegood served as Vice Pastor, and with the help of seminarians and retired pastors, we were able to continue regular worship services.  Through the efforts of many capable and dedicated Christian leaders, we maintained a high level of interest, enthusiasm, and support during the interim.