The history of the Baptists in West Virginia is closely related to that of the Baptists of Virginia, and especially to that of the General Association of Virginia. A large number of the churches have been organized by the missionaries of that body. The oldest church in the State is Simpson's Creek, in the Union Association, formed in 1774. The three next in order are Forks of Cheat, 1775; West Fork, 1780; and the Greenbrier, 1781. Rev. John Alderson was the first Baptist minister who visited the southern part of the State. Through his efforts the Greenbrier church was originated, as also the Greenbrier Association in 1800. The Hopewell and Raleigh Associations were formed from the Greenbrier in 1871. The Union Association was organized in 1804, the Teays' Valley in 1812, the Parkersburg in 1818, the Broad Run in 1835, and about 1870-71 the Guyandotte and Kanawha Valley were taken from the Teays' Valley. Before the formation of the General Association of West Virginia there were two mission bodies in its bounds auxiliary to the General Association of Virginia, - the Western and the Northwestern Associations. The General Association was organized November 15, 1865, by delegates from the Parkersburg, Judson, Mount Pisgah, Union, Teays' Valley, and Broad Run Associations. Besides those already named there are two other Associations in the State, - the Goshen and the Harmony, - making thirteen District Associations. In these there were, in 1880, 381 churches, 25,239 members, and 203 ordained ministers. The total reported amount of contributions for State, home, and foreign missions, Sunday-schools, and home expenses was, in 1879, $24,228.63, and while this is the sum reported much more than this was contributed. The thirteen Associations are supporting fourteen native preachers in Burmah, and $943.40 of the amount given to foreign missions passed through the hands of the American Baptist Missionary Union. The General Association had, in 1880, ten missionaries under appointment in the State, some of whom occupy positions of the first importance in towns on the railroads. The Baptists of West Virginia now hold a very favorable position as compared with that of the other denominations in the State. Their Sunday-school and educational work is in advance of all others. The Shelton and Broaddus Colleges are now established, and with proper efforts a brighter day is before them.

      Besides the white membership there is one Association of colored Baptists, - the Mount Olivet, - organized in 1874, and which now consists of 24 churches and 974 members. There are colored Baptist churches with 413 members which do not belong to this Association, but to similar bodies in adjacent States, the whole number being 1387, making an aggregate of Regular Baptists in the State of about 26,000. The colored churches have some very acceptable preachers, several of whom are well educated and doing a good work.

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[From The Baptist Encyclopedia, 1881; rpt. 1988, p. 1232. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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