About us

Leading Families to Passionately Follow Christ: One Home at a Time!

Our Story

Hermitage Baptist Church was founded in 1920 to reach the mill village surrounding the Hermitage Cotton Mill. We met for four years in borrowed facilities until 1924, when we were able to erect our first sanctuary on our current property, which was donated by the mill. For over a century, we have sought to show and share the gospel in our community. In 2015 we broke ground on our Family Life Center, the first construction in over fifty years, which has continuously blessed our church and our community. While we are anchored in the past, we are looking forward to faithfully serving the Lord until He returns.

Our Leadership

Rev. Dr. Mark D. Hopkins

Senior Pastor

Mark has served as our senior pastor since March 2017. He began his ministry at Hermitage as an associate pastor in 2005 and served faithfully in that capacity for twelve years. Mark earned his BA in Psychology/Counseling and music minor from Coker College in Hartsville, SC in 1995. He went on to earn his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC in 1998. He then earned his Doctorate of Ministry in 2022 from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. Mark is married to Amy, and they have two children, Kaylee and Asher. Mark has a passion for pastoral care and seeing new Christians develop and grow in the faith. 

Rev. Seth Parrish

Next Generation Pastor

Serving the children’s department through college and career

Seth started his ministry at Hermitage Baptist Church as our Next Generation Pastor in January of 2024.  Seth began preaching at the age of 14, officially surrendering his life to the calling of vocational ministry at the age of 16. Seth earned his A.A. in Religion/Christian Ministries from Fruitland Baptist Bible College of Hendersonville, NC in 2017. He went on to earn his BA in Christian Studies from North Greenville University of Tigerville, SC in 2020. Seth Has served in the gospel ministry since 2016 and was officially ordained for the pastoral ministry by the elders of Park Baptist Church, Rock Hill, SC in 2022. Seth is married to Sarah, and they are expecting their first baby in July. Seth is passionate about supporting his senior pastor and helping others grow closer to the Lord through preaching, teaching, and shepherding.