When Boulevard Baptist Church constructed a new building on Wade Hampton Boulevard, it borrowed enough money to build in Poe Mill as well. The church purchased a narrow strip of land stretched along Hammett Street from Poe Manufacturing Co. The land had once been a cemetery for mill workers’ children before being abandoned. When construction on the site was finished, the little metal building was only twenty-five-hundred square feet, and looked more like a metal shop than a church.

In 1967, the Poe Mill Mission took the name Faith Baptist Church (although it was not independent and incorporated until 1975). Members of Boulevard Baptist and students from Bob Jones University joined the church, sharing in its ministry to Poe MillVillage. Several families from the community also attended. Al Thornton pastored at Faith for just over four years. In May 1971, Thornton resigned and moved to Florida, where he eventually assumed another pastorate. Faith began looking for another full-time pastor.

Max Kaster was born in 1941. Having spent several years in the Navy, God called him to preach in the mid 1960s. After completing military service, Kaster moved to Greenville with his wife Linda to attend Bob Jones University. They joined BoulevardBaptist Church, and Kaster drove for the bus ministry and assisted the Pastor. Through a friend’s recommendation, Kaster was invited to preach at Faith, and in December 1971, Faith called him as pastor.