Reverend L. C. Outen

Reverend Lawrence Charles Outen, affectionately known as LC, was born on April 23, 1938, in Columbia, South Carolina. He was one of eleven children born to the union of the late Reverend Wilbert Outen, Sr. and Nezzie Branch Outen. At the age of 83, he passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, June 7, 2021, with his loving and devoted wife of 23 years by his side. Reverend Outen grew up in the Atlas Road Community and was educated in the public schools of Richland County. He graduated from Hopkins High School, Class of 1957. He lettered in football as a linebacker and was offered scholarships to five different colleges, on academic and athletic achievements. He continued his education at Allen University during 1957-58, and majored in chemistry with a minor in physical education. He also studied Theology and received scholarships for academic achievements; and was associated with Benedict College’s Starks School of Theology and Gordon Jenkins Theological Society. In 1966, he attended Columbia College and studied Religion 27 and Contemporary Theology. Reverend Outen was a man of strong faith in God and made his profession in Christ at the age of 12. He was baptized at Bethlehem Baptist Church (Bluff Road), and sang on the usher board choir. At the age of 13, he moved his membership to Sweet Home Baptist Church, and served diligently as sexton, usher, and trustee. He joined Sweet Home’s usher board choir, but learned to sing all the hymns, especially the old-fashioned notes at the age of 14, while singing on the jubilee choir alongside his mother. He thanks God for his mother, who gave him his first inspiration to sing. He was ordained Deacon at the age of 18. Reverend Outen served in the U. S. Army from 1963-1965, during the Vietnam era, and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Two weeks later, he was deployed to Vietnam, Saigon, and Thailand, with the COC 538th Engineer Battalion, until he served out his term. He was honorably discharged November 1965, in Oakland, California. Reverend Outen began his early spiritual formation to Christianity and call to God’s ordained ministry while serving in the Army. In July 1964, he answered the call to ministry and took a three-day leave of absence to come home and do his initial sermon at Sweet Home Baptist Church. He received his license to preach in 1970, and was ordained at the Greater St. Luke Baptist Church, in Columbia, through the Gethsemane Association by reference of the late Reverend Saul Jackson, a former Pastor of Sweet Home Baptist Church. At an early age, LC gained work experience by working with his father’s brick mason business. He worked with the family business for years and learned to master the skills head on. LC eventually left the family business and went out on his own for a while, working for different construction companies within the Southeast. He also worked briefly with the City of Columbia’s maintenance division. LC soon left South Carolina and migrated to New Jersey to pursue better employment opportunities for his family. He worked in New Jersey for many years in construction, but later decided to return home to follow in his father’s footsteps. LC started up his own construction business, Outen Masonry Contractors, as owner and operator. He hired brick masons, laborers, and extra workers to provide them with the opportunity to work on his building projects; he mentored many others, and bought and shared tools that they would need for the trade. He helped build countless houses, schools, buildings, and other brick work over the years; however, some of his artistic brick work included building fancy mailboxes, stone and brick fireplaces, outdoor grills, wall entrances, and walkways. LC worked in the State of South Carolina mostly, and built the first McDonald’s chains throughout the Southeast region. He was a master brick mason by trade, and had a successful and fulfilling career as a builder. He successfully retired his business in 2010. Reverend Outen was successful in the endeavors he pursued, but his passion, however, was always driven by a desire to serve his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His desire of seeking after Godly things was the measure of his life. He preached in New Jersey, serving in various Baptist churches, but eventually came back home and served diligently in the South Carolina Baptist Churches. His first full time pastorate charge began with serving Veighle Chapel Baptist Church, Columbia (2 years); Pine Grove Baptist Church, Eastover (8 years); Second Mt. Beulah Baptist Church, St. Matthews (2 years); Turkey Branch Baptist Church, Neeses; Bethlehem Baptist Church, Woodford (9 years); and New Shiloh Baptist Church, Columbia, SC (13 years). Reverend Outen’ s last charge of pastorate was in January 2002, when he was elected to serve as Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, St. Matthews, SC. Over the years, Reverend Outen led in many capacities. He sang on the Men’s Choir, taught adult Sunday school, Bible Study and Vacation Bible School. He also led in establishment and ongoing supervision and renovation of church fellowship halls, front porch additions, handicap ramps, and any other work that was needed in and around the churches. He conducted weddings and preached over revivals, anniversaries, and funerals. He also baptized young and old, christened babies, and led many souls to Christ. He loved working with the young children especially and wanted them to learn more about Jesus and Lawrence Charles “L.C” Outen catechism. He believed in higher spiritual education for the young people and wanted nothing more than to see them grow into leaders. Reverend Outen was a mission minded and evangelistic pastor. He intently studied the Word and prepared his sermons with the hope that God would bless those with ears to hear and receive. Reverend Outen shouted up and down the aisles and on the podium during Sunday services preaching and teaching God’s Word, reminding everyone that “the wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” His favorite catchall phrase was, “That’s Hot, That’s Hot, But That’s The Coolest I’ve Got-Y’all Don’t Hear Me.” He worked diligently in the churches during his tenure and preached over 50 years. Reverend Outen retired as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church on September 23, 2018, after 17 years of dedicated service. During his retirement luncheon, the Town of St. Matthews sponsored by Mayor Helen Carson Peterson, honored him with the Proclamation recognizing him for his many years of faithful service and dedication to the parishioners of the Antioch Baptist Church, as well as others under his religious guidance. Therefore, it was proclaimed, that September 29, 2018 be known as Reverend L. C. Outen Day. During Reverend Outen’s pastoral service to the churches, he also served on various professional organizations and affiliations which included: member of the Mt. Hebron and Gethsemane Associations; Moderator of the St. Matthews Association; Chaplain of the North Chapter NAACP; and Vice Moderator of the Congaree Union, St. Matthews. His love for God, his family, and his country were often rivaled by his love of singing. Reverend Outen was blessed with a deep baritone voice, and began singing quartet at the age of 16. He formed the first gospel group of young men out of his home church. From there, he formed the Outen Singers. While in high school, Reverend Outen began a singing career with the Gospel Harmoniers of Hopkins. During Reverend Outen’s middle years of gospel singing, he traveled from South Carolina to some of the northern states of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, New York, and Newark, New Jersey. While living in New Jersey, he sang with the Echoes of Harmony and soon joined Jimmy Outler and the Sensational Six. One of his most memorable times while singing with the group was performing at the Apollo Theater in New York. When he returned to Columbia for good, he joined some of the most notable gospel groups to include: The Shepherds of Joy, National Juniors, Tones of Joy, and the Brown Brothers of Columbia. Reverend Outen moved to North, SC, and went on to join the New Industrial Harmoniers, where he sang with the gospel quartet group for over 22 years. Reverend Outen loved and sang the gospel for over 55 years. Reverend Outen was considered a master chef during his earlier years and operated a restaurant mostly specializing in BBQ. He made the best BBQ hogs, hams, and Boston butts you have ever tasted. He also made the best catfish stew. He always cooked his catfish stew in a big pot so that everyone could at least get a good bowl full, because it was the first food item to go. His world-famous catfish stew was always the most requested food item at church events, picnics, family gatherings, and any other events that were happening around town. Reverend Outen loved to fish and traveled up and down the East Coast to fish with his group of fisherman. He also enjoyed watching old TV westerns, boxing, and cheering for his beloved Gamecocks. In later years, Reverend Outen showed amazing grace and courage as he battled Alzheimer disease. The strength of his faith and his sense of grace and humor in the face of adversity inspired and encouraged generations of his family, friends, and colleagues. Reverend Outen lived by his favorite passage of scripture, “With God, All Things are Possible.” – Matthew 19: 26. Reverend Outen was predeceased by: one son, Antonio Outen; his parents, Reverend Wilbert Outen, Sr. and Nezzie Branch Outen; five brothers, Wilbert, Jr., Ronald, Malachi, Isom, and Jesse Outen; two sisters, Gloria Outen Ferrell and Corine Outen Monroe. Reverend Lawrence Charles Outen leaves to cherish his precious memory: his loving wife of the home, Sarah Rhett-Outen; his first wife, Frances Adams Jacobs and their three children, Larencia (Cedric) Gilmore, Anthony (Pandora) Outen, of Columbia, South Carolina, and Pamela Geiger, of Pineville, North Carolina; one stepson, Andrian (Anna) Rhett, of Columbia, South Carolina; five grandchildren, Demitrius Outen, of Charlotte, NC, Shanna Geiger, of Pineville, NC, Alexis, Courtland, and Jordan (Brechia) Gilmore, all of Columbia, SC; three step-grandchildren, Larry and Wesley Echelberger, and Charity Grace Rhett, all of Columbia, SC; one great-granddaughter, Chaianne Gilmore, of Columbia, SC; two sisters, Irene Outen (Leroy) Wilson, of Newark, New Jersey and Patricia Outen Gentry, of Columbia, South Carolina; one brother, Berkley (Felicia) Outen, of Columbia, South Carolina; two favorite sisters-in-law, Carrie Outen and Teola Rhett, both of Columbia, South Carolina; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church families, and many other relatives and caring friends, all of whom will truly miss him dearly.