Covenant United Methodist Church was organized on October 19, 1986. The founding session was held in the gymnasium of Lee Road United Methodist Church with 126 persons joining as charter members. Dr. C.O. Pittman was the founding pastor and gave leadership through 1991.

Covenant was initiated by the members of Stephenson Memorial United Methodist Church of Taylors, SC. Stephenson Memorial was organized in 1923 and built in 1926 to serve workers and families connected with the Southern Bleachery and Printworks Plant of Taylors.  The congregation was known as "the caring church." It was a fellowship of loving service for many years. When the plant was closed in 1966, however, the church began to decline in numbers and strength. Heeding the call to reach persons in the growing Eastside, the congregation sold its church building and joined with new persons in the area to form Covenant.

Site Development 

The ten acre tract on Old Spartanburg Road was purchased for the church by the Greenville District of the United Methodist Church. Church members gave volunteer hours clearing and preparing the site. A master plan was designed by Marshall Clark, Architect.

Phase 1 Building--General Purpose
Groundbreaking for Phase 1 was November 23, 1986. The first service in the building was September 13, 1987. The facility includes a chapel, social hall, offices and classrooms. The congregation quickly outgrew the chapel and in March of 1988 began holding two Sunday morning worship services. Plans were made for the second building.

Phase 2 Building--Sanctuary
A Service of Consecration and Cornerstone Laying started phase 2 of the building.  Construction on the Sanctuary was begun in January 1990. The first service was held September 23, 1990. Designed to seat 650, the worship area was originally supplied with a pew arrangement for seating 300. The remaining pews were purchased and installed in the summer of 1993.

Covenant House -- To alleviate the need for additional classroom space and to provide land for future growth, the church purchased the 2.23 acre tract and house adjoining the church property in October 1994. Volunteers have improved the site and enclosed the carport to create an additional classroom.

Phase 3 -- Education and Family Life Center -- In March of 1993, the congregation determined additional facilities must be built to provide for needs and growth. A Building Committee was elected to develop plans for an Education and Family Life Center. Neal, Prince Architects were chosen to design the million dollar facility. The building was completed in March of 1996.  The Service of Consecration was held on April 14, 1996.  This part of the facility provides ten classrooms, a social hall and kitchen, two offices, a gym and supportive facilities.