Perhaps the most common definition of a Baptist church is simply “a body of baptized believers.” Although direct and to the point a church is so much more. It is impossible to completely describe the Malden Baptist Church in this limited space, consider this only a brief introduction.
Historically the Church began in 1873 following a revival in a field at the mouth of Georges Creek, WV. The converts from that revival decided to build the Church. The Malden Baptist Church was dedicated in 1876. At this writing the Church has been working for over 140 years to fulfill its call from God to witness to the world beginning with the community of Malden.
Throughout our history, the Church's service to the community often happened in unique and sometimes unexpected ways, which in many cases resulted in helping us strengthen our connection with the community. For example, it was believed that Malden Baptist had the loudest bell in town so it was frequently used as a fire alarm. Maybe that is the reason why many of the church’s members have served on the Malden Voluntary Fire department.
Every church is comprised of a congregation made up of the people living in the same community. It is no different at Malden Baptist where our members still strive to work together with our community to make Malden a better place. Some of our members still talk about how the townspeople came together to haul creek gravel for a road bed in front of the Church, which is another great sign of how in the past the church and community served together for the good of the town of Malden. Malden Baptist continues to explore ways of working side by side with the members of this community in whatever way possible.
The town of Malden and Malden Baptist Church have moved forward together through kerosene lights, then gas and finally electricity (and even moving plumbing indoors). The mode of lighting in the Church may have changed over the years but the true “Light” of the Church remains unchanged. There is no way for us to know how many lives that Light has touched through the years. Only God has that answer. Here, however, are some things we do know:
- Many hundreds have professed their faith in Jesus Christ under the preaching of Malden Baptist Church.
- In recent history five men have accepted God's call to full-time service.
- In the early 1950s Malden Baptist was the second church in West Virginia to become a part of the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptist.
- Malden Baptist Church's participation in the Southern Baptist Convention's Cooperative Program has helped bring the gospel to our state, nation and the world.
- Direct mission sponsorship by Malden Baptist has led to the establishment of churches in other West Virginia community
Malden Baptist is indeed a body of believers, but it is also a family of brothers and sisters in Christ. We invite you to join the family! The Church celebrates its past but must always be looking to the future for new the future. You can be an integral part of that future.
