200 Year History Of Beaverdam Baptist:
Dec. 24, 1771 - Before our church was organized, a deed recorded to the first Baptist church established in Bedford County, Jointee Baptist Church, which later united with Beaverdam.
1801 - Beaverdam Baptist Church was planted, a branch of Goose Creek Church, which is now Morgans Baptist Church.
April 2, 1803 - In Chamblissburg, Bedford County, Virginia, Beaverdam Baptist Church was organized, membership of forty-three. The first place of worship was a log house on the site of the old church sanctuary, used until 1849.
1804 - Beaverdam was received into the Strawberry Association. Joshua Burnett was called as the minister.
1805 - Church enrollment had grown to 110.
1812 - War of 1812 took place
1817 - The first recorded instance of a fund for missions was raised and a prayer for the spread of the Gospel was offered.
About 1830 - Rev. James C. Leftwich was chosen as first regular pastor - salary $40.00 a year, first mention of a pastor's salary.
1831 - Revival, came to be known as the greatest revival of religion ever known in Bedford County.
1833 - The question of missions arose in the church. Eight members, believing missions was a departure from the Baptist faith, left and united with the Primitive Baptist Church at Lynville.
1842 - Another revival, there were about thirty professions of faith, most joined Beaverdam.
1847 - In January, Rev, Thomas C. Goggin assumed the pastoral care of the church, salary still $40.00. In July, a collection of $10.00 was received and sent by the clerk, Stephan Hurt, to the General Association - the first record of Beaverdam's contribution to foreign missions, A committee of gentlemen and ladies was appointed to raise a fund to send to the Strawberry Association. First record where the ladies of the church were on committees.
1849 - Jointee Baptist Church, located three miles south of Beaverdam, closed, members united with Beaverdam. The Brick building, now the "old Sanctuary", was built, still useful today.
1853 - Rev. Goggin resigned and Rev. Thomas Sanderson was chosen pastor - Salary $100.00 a year.
1857 - Membership had grown to well over 130.
1859 - Thirteen members were granted letters of discussion for the purpose of constituting Shady Grove Baptist.
1860 - Ten members left to constitute the Flint Hill Baptist Church. In addition, many of the charter members of Vinton Baptist and Barnhardt Baptist were once members of Beaverdam.
1861-1865 - The American Civil War took place.
1871 - Another revival brought 27 new believers, 1874 brought 21.
1881 - Strawberry Assoc. was entertained at Beaverdam. Immense crowds, church families hosted as many as 40-50 people a night.
1884 - A 14-day revival brought 40 new believers to Beaverdam.
1886 - Sunday School organized, continues today.
1887 - First missionary society was organized, Mr. R.L. Dearing, President.
1889 - A revival brought 24 new members.
1891 - A ladies committee collected funds to furnish a room at the Jeter Female Institute of Bedford, honoring Rev. Gabriel Wheeler.
1893 - Methodist organization, a part of Beaverdam church withdrew to build a Methodist church. J.M. Pendleton donated a site, the building built, and Rev. J.W. Parrish was the pastor there. Beaverdam purchased its first organ this year.
1896 - Pastor Rev. J.A. Barnhardt suggested a central burying ground. The church purchased 2 acres adjoining the church.
1899-1901 - General renovations and repairs made to the church.
1915 - Anonymous gift of communion set donated by member(s).
1921 - Walls of church overhauled - under budget!!
1938 - Homer Simmons and brother installed electricity in church.
1942 - Women's Missionary Union organized, Marjorie Franklin first President.
1946 - A basement was dug under the sanctuary, the main floor was raised, windows shortened and the balcony removed.
1948 - Church parsonage was built on corner of property.
1951 - A 2-story educational building was added, and work done in the basement to make room for Sunday School Classes.
1952 - New pews were installed.
1959 - Miss Elaine Hancock became Beaverdam's first foreign missionary, serving as a missionary nurse in Hong Kong, China.
1962 - Missions again caused the loss of 67 members. This group opposed supporting the Southern Baptist Convention. They formed Chamblissburg Baptist Church.
1966 - Church walls painted and new drapes installed. The parsonage was completely renovated.
1971-1972 - A large 2-story educational building was added. The new building was first used by Vacation Bible School in August 1972.
1976 - Rev. Dennis E. Moore came to Beaverdam as pastor. A new organ was purchased and the parsonage was enlarged and renovated. Special offerings and gifts paid all the charges.
July 1976 - Homecoming and America's Bicentennial Celebrations.
1978 - Church's 175th Anniversary observed in August.
1979 - In July, Miss Martha Hoskins sent as Journeyman to Brazil.
1980 - New heating and cooling system installed.
1981 - May "Sis" Franklin was elected first deaconess in church.
1984 - Gift of $50,000 and Challenge of $85,000 received from anonymous donor.
1985 - Voted to build new sanctuary.
1986 - Remaining debt of Educational Bldg. paid off. Mary Moles of Beaverdam, first woman to serve as moderator in Strawberry Association.
1986 - "Victory Day" celebration in September!! $92,771 raised to meet Challenge of $85,000. Anonymous donor matched $92,771.
May 24, 1987 - Great Day!! Note burning of Educational Bldg. Ground Breaking for new Sanctuary.
March 1988 - Dedication Day!! Services for dedication of new Sanctuary, followed morning services and a covered dish dinner. Also the 185th Anniversary of Beaverdam.
1991 - Elaine Hancock Day - Our missionary to Hong Kong retired and returned to Beaverdam.
1996 - KaDe Moore Callahan began as Music Director.
1998 - Bob Rouse called as Youth Pastor and our current program for Young People of Beaverdam began. Boy Scout Troop began using the church as meeting place.
2002 - Pastor Dennis Moore and Bob Rouse went on a mission trip to Romania, with mission group from the Roanoke Valley. Church began a "Debt Free by 2003 Fund Raising Program". Met goal in 2002!!
2003 - Beaverdam celebrates its 200th Anniversary.
2010 - Pastor Dennis Moore retires after 34 years of service
2010 - Pastor Bish Creel and wife Donna came to Beaverdam, a blessing from God.
2010 - Pastor Bish Creel becomes full-time pastor.
2017 - Pastor Bish Creel retires as pastor.
2019 - Pastor Jake Roudebush becomes full-time pastor.
And the 200 year history of serving the Lord still continues to this day.........
1801 - Beaverdam Baptist Church was planted, a branch of Goose Creek Church, which is now Morgans Baptist Church.
April 2, 1803 - In Chamblissburg, Bedford County, Virginia, Beaverdam Baptist Church was organized, membership of forty-three. The first place of worship was a log house on the site of the old church sanctuary, used until 1849.
1804 - Beaverdam was received into the Strawberry Association. Joshua Burnett was called as the minister.
1805 - Church enrollment had grown to 110.
1812 - War of 1812 took place
1817 - The first recorded instance of a fund for missions was raised and a prayer for the spread of the Gospel was offered.
About 1830 - Rev. James C. Leftwich was chosen as first regular pastor - salary $40.00 a year, first mention of a pastor's salary.
1831 - Revival, came to be known as the greatest revival of religion ever known in Bedford County.
1833 - The question of missions arose in the church. Eight members, believing missions was a departure from the Baptist faith, left and united with the Primitive Baptist Church at Lynville.
1842 - Another revival, there were about thirty professions of faith, most joined Beaverdam.
1847 - In January, Rev, Thomas C. Goggin assumed the pastoral care of the church, salary still $40.00. In July, a collection of $10.00 was received and sent by the clerk, Stephan Hurt, to the General Association - the first record of Beaverdam's contribution to foreign missions, A committee of gentlemen and ladies was appointed to raise a fund to send to the Strawberry Association. First record where the ladies of the church were on committees.
1849 - Jointee Baptist Church, located three miles south of Beaverdam, closed, members united with Beaverdam. The Brick building, now the "old Sanctuary", was built, still useful today.
1853 - Rev. Goggin resigned and Rev. Thomas Sanderson was chosen pastor - Salary $100.00 a year.
1857 - Membership had grown to well over 130.
1859 - Thirteen members were granted letters of discussion for the purpose of constituting Shady Grove Baptist.
1860 - Ten members left to constitute the Flint Hill Baptist Church. In addition, many of the charter members of Vinton Baptist and Barnhardt Baptist were once members of Beaverdam.
1861-1865 - The American Civil War took place.
1871 - Another revival brought 27 new believers, 1874 brought 21.
1881 - Strawberry Assoc. was entertained at Beaverdam. Immense crowds, church families hosted as many as 40-50 people a night.
1884 - A 14-day revival brought 40 new believers to Beaverdam.
1886 - Sunday School organized, continues today.
1887 - First missionary society was organized, Mr. R.L. Dearing, President.
1889 - A revival brought 24 new members.
1891 - A ladies committee collected funds to furnish a room at the Jeter Female Institute of Bedford, honoring Rev. Gabriel Wheeler.
1893 - Methodist organization, a part of Beaverdam church withdrew to build a Methodist church. J.M. Pendleton donated a site, the building built, and Rev. J.W. Parrish was the pastor there. Beaverdam purchased its first organ this year.
1896 - Pastor Rev. J.A. Barnhardt suggested a central burying ground. The church purchased 2 acres adjoining the church.
1899-1901 - General renovations and repairs made to the church.
1915 - Anonymous gift of communion set donated by member(s).
1921 - Walls of church overhauled - under budget!!
1938 - Homer Simmons and brother installed electricity in church.
1942 - Women's Missionary Union organized, Marjorie Franklin first President.
1946 - A basement was dug under the sanctuary, the main floor was raised, windows shortened and the balcony removed.
1948 - Church parsonage was built on corner of property.
1951 - A 2-story educational building was added, and work done in the basement to make room for Sunday School Classes.
1952 - New pews were installed.
1959 - Miss Elaine Hancock became Beaverdam's first foreign missionary, serving as a missionary nurse in Hong Kong, China.
1962 - Missions again caused the loss of 67 members. This group opposed supporting the Southern Baptist Convention. They formed Chamblissburg Baptist Church.
1966 - Church walls painted and new drapes installed. The parsonage was completely renovated.
1971-1972 - A large 2-story educational building was added. The new building was first used by Vacation Bible School in August 1972.
1976 - Rev. Dennis E. Moore came to Beaverdam as pastor. A new organ was purchased and the parsonage was enlarged and renovated. Special offerings and gifts paid all the charges.
July 1976 - Homecoming and America's Bicentennial Celebrations.
1978 - Church's 175th Anniversary observed in August.
1979 - In July, Miss Martha Hoskins sent as Journeyman to Brazil.
1980 - New heating and cooling system installed.
1981 - May "Sis" Franklin was elected first deaconess in church.
1984 - Gift of $50,000 and Challenge of $85,000 received from anonymous donor.
1985 - Voted to build new sanctuary.
1986 - Remaining debt of Educational Bldg. paid off. Mary Moles of Beaverdam, first woman to serve as moderator in Strawberry Association.
1986 - "Victory Day" celebration in September!! $92,771 raised to meet Challenge of $85,000. Anonymous donor matched $92,771.
May 24, 1987 - Great Day!! Note burning of Educational Bldg. Ground Breaking for new Sanctuary.
March 1988 - Dedication Day!! Services for dedication of new Sanctuary, followed morning services and a covered dish dinner. Also the 185th Anniversary of Beaverdam.
1991 - Elaine Hancock Day - Our missionary to Hong Kong retired and returned to Beaverdam.
1996 - KaDe Moore Callahan began as Music Director.
1998 - Bob Rouse called as Youth Pastor and our current program for Young People of Beaverdam began. Boy Scout Troop began using the church as meeting place.
2002 - Pastor Dennis Moore and Bob Rouse went on a mission trip to Romania, with mission group from the Roanoke Valley. Church began a "Debt Free by 2003 Fund Raising Program". Met goal in 2002!!
2003 - Beaverdam celebrates its 200th Anniversary.
2010 - Pastor Dennis Moore retires after 34 years of service
2010 - Pastor Bish Creel and wife Donna came to Beaverdam, a blessing from God.
2010 - Pastor Bish Creel becomes full-time pastor.
2017 - Pastor Bish Creel retires as pastor.
2019 - Pastor Jake Roudebush becomes full-time pastor.
And the 200 year history of serving the Lord still continues to this day.........