Bridgeport in Harrison County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Baptist Meeting House

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 10, 2021

1. Baptist Meeting House Marker

Inscription. The first building known as the Baptist Meeting House stood on this site. The church was organized about 1770 by Rev. John Sutton and five constituent members. Rev. James Sutton served as pastor for a short period. Rev. John Corbly served as pastor 1780-81; later his family was killed by the Indians. Rev. Edwards was sent to Buckhannon to preach: this led to the organization of a church there in 1786. In a meeting of the church in 1787, a woman was tried for witchcraft. In 1807 Rev. Jesse H. Goss became pastor and served nearly thirty years. The pastors that followed were: J. W. Toofborough, John Denham, Phineas Wells, A. J. Garret, M. Maddox, J. Wrightman, B. Holden.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1770.

Location. 39° 17.425′ N, 80° 14.518′ W. Marker is in Bridgeport, West Virginia, in Harrison County. It can be reached from Benedum Drive (West Virginia Route 131) 0.1 miles north of Northwestern Turnpike (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the right shortly after going

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through the main entrance of The Bridgeport Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Benedum Dr, Bridgeport WV 26330, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Little Kanawha Valley.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Baptist Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bridgeport Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Benedum Civic Center (approx. ¾ mile away); The Furbee Bridge (approx. 0.9 miles away); Governor Joseph Johnson House (approx. one mile away); Bridgeport (approx. one mile away); John Powers' Fort (approx. one mile away); Home of Bridgeport Little League (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 10, 2021

2. Baptist Meeting House Marker

in Bridgeport.

Regarding Baptist Meeting House. Known today as the Simpson Creek Baptist Church, it was recognized in 1965 as the oldest existing Baptist Church in West Virginia. It is generally accepted that this church is the oldest existing Protestant church west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Bridgeport Cemetery Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 10, 2021

3. Bridgeport Cemetery Entrance

The marker is visible in the distance above the black entry fence.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 834 times since then and 140 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. submitted on July 16, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.