Established November 2, 1889
The roots of Elmwood run deep.
Elmwood’s story reaches through generations of Baptist witness in Appalachia. Long before the church received its name, believers carried the gospel into mountain communities and planted congregations throughout the region.
1889
How Elmwood began
Charles A. Love, then a member of Bloomingdale Salem Baptist Church, returned from a trip to Missouri with an idea for a church closer to the Dusenburg Dam area. The community near the Iron Bridge across the Guyandotte River had grown, and Bloomingdale Baptist Church stood nearly three miles away. Mr. Love asked Charles E. Morris to give land for a new church.
On October 26, 1889, Bloomingdale Baptist Church granted letters of dismissal to members who planned to organize the new congregation. Elmwood Missionary Baptist Church was established one week later, on November 2, with 30 founding members gathered at the Swamp Branch Schoolhouse.
The founding members included nine from the Love family, six from the Shomaker family, six from the Davidson family, two from the Morris family, two from the Morrison family, Wilson Rogers, Mary Ross, Nancy Purnell, Nancy Meadows, and Nancy Dick. C. Shomaker moderated the first meeting. The congregation elected officers, adopted articles of faith and a church covenant, and chose the name Elmwood Baptist Church for the elm trees on the land.
A spiritual lineage
Churches planting churches
Each congregation below helped plant the next, carrying Baptist witness toward the church that became Elmwood.
- Smith Creek Baptist
- Lynville Creek Baptist
- Mill Creek Baptist
- Carter’s Mill Baptist
- Old Greenbrier Baptist
- Mud River Baptist
- Bloomingdale Baptist
- Elmwood Baptist
1993
A church built through prayer
Elmwood broke ground on the church building it occupies today in 1993. Members remember that the work was sustained by more than labor. Prayer warriors regularly walked around the church asking God to bless the building and its people for His glory. Through that season, the congregation believes God strengthened both the building and the church family.
2007
Room for ministry and community
Elmwood began another major expansion in 2007 to create a home for teen ministry and wider community work. The new facility added a gymnasium, classrooms, dining space, and activity areas. Love offerings from the congregation paid for the work within two years.
Those spaces now support teen ministry, community days, junior camp, mission conferences, and fundraising dinners for ministry.
Today
Faithful for the next generation
Elmwood remains committed to growing the kingdom of God, forming loving disciples of Christ, and teaching people to serve Him wholeheartedly. The church prays that God will continue to draw people to Jesus and use this body of believers to reach its community and the world with the good news of salvation.
The church’s past was marked by prayer, sacrificial giving, faithful service, hard work, and enduring faith. Elmwood intends to carry those same commitments into the years ahead.
Be part of the story
Worship with Elmwood this week.
Sunday School begins at 10 am, followed by morning worship at 11 am. The church also gathers Sunday at 6 pm and Wednesday at 7 pm.
Plan your first visit