Bridgewater Baptist Church

1873

On August 12, 1873, according to Dr. John Wayland, 15 members of the Mt. Crawford Baptist Church drew up letters dismissing 15 of its members to organize a church of like faith and order in Bridgewater.  A council convened at Bridgewater,Rockingham County, Virginia, on the Lord's Day, August 17, 1873, composed of the Rev.P. S. Hinson, D.D., and the Reverends Wm. A. Whitescarver, Timothy Funk and IsraelDeacon, to consider the propriety of recognizing the Bridgewater Baptist Church.

After a morning service which included the charge to the church and the hand of fellowship, 24 charter members met later that day to organize and vote to seek admission to the Albemarle Association. They invited Rev. Whitescarver, who was pastor of the Mt. Crawford church, to preach for them on the second and fourth Sundays. Bridgewater would continue to be on a field with Mt. Crawford at various times and also in later years with Harrisonburg, Singers Glen,Broadway, and Grottoes. For a number of years, the congregation at Bridgewater met in the Lutheran church building, which they leased for $70 a month. Services were also held in the public meeting room of the Journal office. In 1880, a building known as the Newcomer Chapel was purchased from the Brethren for $400; with additions and periodic renovations, it is still being used.

Through its 122-year history, Bridgewater Baptist Church has known some lean years. But

with a current membership of 161 and an anticipated building program at a new location, the

future indeed looks exciting!