First Baptist Chester Church

Atop one of the beautiful hills of West Virginia stands the First Baptist Church of Chester. Founded in 1972, the church,
located on Meadowbrook acres of Stewart Run Road off Route 8, is associated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
At that time, area residents of Southern Baptist faith attended church in East Liverpool or Weirton.
Under the encouragement of the Area Home Missionary Rev. Floyd Tidsworth, a small group of these residents
began to hold Bible studies and prayer meetings in the homes of Rex and Gladys Walker of Route 8 and Ralph and Patty Metts of Arner Road.
Through these meetings, the hopes and dreams of a Southern Baptist Church in Chester began to grow, according to
Pastor Allen Friel of the Chester church.
The Evangel Baptist Church of Weirton sponsored the new mission work by holding Vacation Bible School
during the day and revival services at night the week of July 24-29, 1972.
Fourteen people became members of the new mission and called themselves the First Baptist Chapel.
They held their first services at the Chester City Hall Auditorium, and as they grew in numbers moved to the Chester City Park Building.
Rev. Tidsworth served as the first part-time pastor until the Rev. David McCall was called as pastor.
The Chapel was moved to a mobile trailer on Route 8 near the sight of its permanent structure.
Groundbreaking ceremonies and services of the new building were held May 2, 1976.
Construction was done by people of the church and Christian friends in the area.
The first service in the new building was August 29, 1976. The group was constituted into a self supporting church October 2, 1977.
Other pastors have been Rev. Don Gillenwater, Rev. Paul Donaldson, Rev. Steve Harden and Rev. Jerry McClure.
In 1978, men for the church were assisted by a Baptist men’s group from Mississippi in construction and addition to make the church larger.
In 1987, new siding was put on the building, Rev. Friel stated that each Southern Baptist Church governs itself,
chooses its minister, owns its property and makes its own decisions.

First Baptist Chester Church
RD # 1, Box 514
Chester, WV 26034
Phone 304-387-5556
Rev. Merkel Fernbaugh

Sunday School 10:00 AM
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

Travel SR-7 North to East Liverpool OH or SR-2 North to Chester Turn right on US-30 East (toward Pittsburgh)
Turn right on SR-8 South Turn left on Stewart Run Rd/CR-38 Turn on first left then on first right Church is up hill