History of our congregation

The earliest record of the congregation...

Founded in 1852, Wolfe Valley Baptist Church was established under the leadership of the Rev. William Getchell and Lewis Greenlee. Other founding members included Lewis & Christina Wolfe, Francis & Deborah Knapp, Jacob Zearley, John Williams, John & Elizabeth Harpold and Abigail and Joshua Deweese.

Above: One of the earliest photos of the church,
estimated to be from the late 1920's.
(photo courtesy of the West Virginia Cemetery Preservation Association, Inc.)

In its early years, the hand-hewn log church building served as both church and schoolhouse, until the nearby Cloverdale School was built.

Affiliated with the Teays Valley Baptist association from 1873, the congregation separated from that association and became an independent church in 1976, retaining the name "Wolfe Valley Baptist Church". The church has been in nearly continual use since its founding, and currently maintains an active membership of between 15-25, with twice-weekly services and Sunday School classes for adults and children.

A Tragic Fire...

Right: The "new" concrete block building, not too long after its completion over the same site of the original building, probably from 1941 or 1942. (photo courtesy of the West Virginia Cemetery Preservation Association, Inc.)

In 1940, the original church building burnt to the ground, along with virtually all of its contents. There are a few small items that miraculously managed to survive the blaze, including a family Bible that had been given to the church by a neighboring family, along with a small assortment of general records. After a new building was built in the early 1940's by the congregation, the Bible was returned to the sanctuary, as were the surviving records.

Our Pastoral Roster...

Right: Rev. William Cadle, pastor during the late 1800's. (photo courtesy of the West Virginia Cemetery Preservation Association, Inc.)

Pastors who have served this congregation over the years include:

1852 - Rev. William Getchell
1853-1872 - ?
1873-1877 - Rev. William Cadle
1878 - ?
1879-1892 - Rev. William Cadle (he also served Old Town Baptist, Shiloh 
                     Baptist and Concord Baptist churches, simultaneously at 
                     times, during these years)
1893-1939 - ?
1940-1954 - Rev. Brady G. Duncan
1955-1959 - Rev. Clinton H. Craig ?
1960-1963 - Rev. J. Paul Graham (with Rev. Fred Harmon
                    serving as associate pastor)
1964-1965 - ?
1966 -          Rev. Dennis Weaver (with Rev. Fred Harmon, retired,
                    serving as associate pastor)
1967-1969 - ?
1970-1972 - Rev. William H. McDaniel
1973-1974 - Rev. Franklin Nott
1975-1986 - ?
1987-           Rev. Bobby Craig
1988-1998 - Rev. Charles Higginbotham ?
1999-2002 - Rev. Wayne Conley
2003-2004 - Rev. James Conley
2005-present - Brother Bob Way

Our neighborhood - historic Capehart...

Our little white church in the valley sits at the crossroads - the heart, if you will, of what was once known as Capehart, and near the confluence of Thirteenmile Creek and its tributary, Poplar Fork. Up Poplar Fork (which runs on the west side of the church) at the bridge, the Capehart store and post office once stood. In the opposite direction, a short ways down Tribble Road just across Thirteen Mile Creek on a knoll to the north stands what was the Cloverdale School, now a private residence. Just beyond Cloverdale School, on what is today known as Cabin Ridge Road, lies Wolfe Valley Cemetery. Not associated directly with the church, the cemetery is the resting place of many of the pioneers of this area, a vast number of those buried there having been one time members of this congregation.

For further information on Wolfe Valley Cemetery and the early history of this area, we recommend visiting the website of the West Virginia Cemetery Preservation Association, Inc., who helped us research the history of our congregation, and whose founders, Joel & Donna Duprey, are members of our congregation and maintain this website for us.