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Capital Funds Program

The broader Taylors community formed over the years around the Chick Springs resort, which flourished in the late 1800s on the edge of Old Taylors and the Southern Bleachery, which was built in the 1920s. When the textile bleachery entered the community, a number of houses, recreational facilities, and schools were built to accommodate the large number of employees that moved to the area to find work. The original high school was erected in 1927 in the heart of Old Taylors. In 1945 that building burned and was replaced by the current structure, which was used as a high school until the 1960s, when Greenville County consolidated its schools. It was an elementary school until 1980.

The Old Taylors community experienced a significant decline in the textile economy during 1970s and 1980s, and while efforts were made to protect and preserve the community heritage, the high school was neglected and was abused by vandals. County planners have identified the high school as an essential component in the Taylors revitalization, and architects and engineers have confirmed that the building is structurally well-built and holds much promise both for the Seminary and Taylors.

THE TAYLORS COMMUNITY AND GREENVILLE SEMINARY

The Taylors/Greenville community will benefit from an enhanced Main Street that will feature the Seminary's new building. Revitalization is already underway. Now in place on Main Street in Taylors is a multi-million dollar campus of Taylors First Baptist Church and a new, state-of-the-art Taylors Branch of the Greenville County Library System. New business growth is happening at the east end of Main Street with the multi-million dollar shopping complex anchored by retailer Target Corporation. There is also an active Community Association composed of residents and local businesses who are working together for revitalization in this area that has suffered badly in the textile economic downturn. Dr. Joseph Pipa, the Seminary's president, serves as the association's president as well.