How it all started...
The beginnings of Old Fields Baptist Church can be traced back to 1972 when two Moorefield natives, who had belonged to Southern Baptist churches elsewhere, returned to town to live and contacted the state Baptist Office about starting a church in Moorefield. A summer missionary, Robert D, Bayne Jr. of Alabama was sent to Moorefield in June 1973, under the direction of the missions director of the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists, to determine if there was interest in beginning a Southern Baptist Church in the area. On August 28, 1973, an organizational meeting was held to discuss the development of this new church. It was determined that there was both a need and enough interest to continue the work of planting a Southern Baptist Church here. The first Sunday School and Worship Service was held on September 16, 1973 in the Moorefield Town Hall. Later, a 12 x 60 mobile home was obtained to use as a church building. It would be placed on a rented lot on Brighton Avenue in Moorefield. On March 31, 1974, the congregation called it's first pastor, Homer Albright.
In 1977, a parcel of land became available a few miles north of town in Old Fields. The congregation believed that this was the place that God would have them to buy. With the help of a congregation in Warner Robins, GA, the land was purchased and the mobile chapel was brought to Old Fields. The name of the church was changed to Old Fields Baptist Church. In 1978, the congregation broke ground for the construction of a 40 X 70 building with a full basement. On September 10, 1978, they held their first service in the unfinished building. As the church continued to grow, it became evident that more space was needed for worship as well as Sunday School. In 1995, the church began another building program. This new addition would serve as a worship center on the upper floor and fellowship hall in the basement. This addition would also allow the current sanctuary to be converted into classroom space. Much of the work on the addition was completed by the local congregation with the help of mission teams from other states. The congregation worshiped together for the first time in the new sanctuary in 1995.
Through the years, men of God would be called to serve as Pastor of Old Fields Baptist Church. Following Pastor Albright, Pastor Norman Alderman would serve the church for a little over a year. In 1980, JD Hendricks became the pastor and would serve for four years. He would be followed by county resident, Harry C (Chip) Welton, who would serve the church for six years. When Pastor Welton left to follow a calling to the mission fields of Canada, the church called Robert Ken Owens as their next pastor. He would serve the church for 10 years, leaving in 2000. The congregation searched for a year for their next pastor and felt God's leading to call Daniel Howard to be their pastor. Dan began in September 2001 and is still serving as pastor today.
In 1977, a parcel of land became available a few miles north of town in Old Fields. The congregation believed that this was the place that God would have them to buy. With the help of a congregation in Warner Robins, GA, the land was purchased and the mobile chapel was brought to Old Fields. The name of the church was changed to Old Fields Baptist Church. In 1978, the congregation broke ground for the construction of a 40 X 70 building with a full basement. On September 10, 1978, they held their first service in the unfinished building. As the church continued to grow, it became evident that more space was needed for worship as well as Sunday School. In 1995, the church began another building program. This new addition would serve as a worship center on the upper floor and fellowship hall in the basement. This addition would also allow the current sanctuary to be converted into classroom space. Much of the work on the addition was completed by the local congregation with the help of mission teams from other states. The congregation worshiped together for the first time in the new sanctuary in 1995.
Through the years, men of God would be called to serve as Pastor of Old Fields Baptist Church. Following Pastor Albright, Pastor Norman Alderman would serve the church for a little over a year. In 1980, JD Hendricks became the pastor and would serve for four years. He would be followed by county resident, Harry C (Chip) Welton, who would serve the church for six years. When Pastor Welton left to follow a calling to the mission fields of Canada, the church called Robert Ken Owens as their next pastor. He would serve the church for 10 years, leaving in 2000. The congregation searched for a year for their next pastor and felt God's leading to call Daniel Howard to be their pastor. Dan began in September 2001 and is still serving as pastor today.
Expanding the vision...
Pastor Dan believes that Christians are not just to GO to church, they are to BE the church. That belief is formed in the command of Jesus found in Acts 1:8 to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Under his leadership, OFBC has become a mission minded congregation.
Throughout the year, the church does many community projects. Our "Brown Box" food pantry provides food to families in need on a monthly basis. We also provide weekend backpack meals for students in our local Elementary School. More information on the food program can be found (here).
Each year, OFBC takes a mission trip to a neighboring state to assist churches . We help with Backyard Bible Clubs, VBS, Neighborhood Block Parties, community outreach, church repairs and construction projects. Summer time also provides opportunities for events in local parks.
Before school begins each fall, OFBC hosts a Back to School Splash. Families enjoy free swimming and food. OFBC also provides any school aged student with a backpack filled with school supplies.
Later in the fall, we host a community festival for the entire family. This event gives families the opportunity to play games, eat food, win prizes, and have fun together.
In addition to our church, OFBC partners with other churches and organizations to minister to families across the state of West Virginia. These include partnerships with World Vision Appalachia, Mountaineer Food Bank and the Potomac Highland Baptist Association of Churches. We also serve in neighboring homeless shelters, food pantries and children's homes.
Throughout the year, the church does many community projects. Our "Brown Box" food pantry provides food to families in need on a monthly basis. We also provide weekend backpack meals for students in our local Elementary School. More information on the food program can be found (here).
Each year, OFBC takes a mission trip to a neighboring state to assist churches . We help with Backyard Bible Clubs, VBS, Neighborhood Block Parties, community outreach, church repairs and construction projects. Summer time also provides opportunities for events in local parks.
Before school begins each fall, OFBC hosts a Back to School Splash. Families enjoy free swimming and food. OFBC also provides any school aged student with a backpack filled with school supplies.
Later in the fall, we host a community festival for the entire family. This event gives families the opportunity to play games, eat food, win prizes, and have fun together.
In addition to our church, OFBC partners with other churches and organizations to minister to families across the state of West Virginia. These include partnerships with World Vision Appalachia, Mountaineer Food Bank and the Potomac Highland Baptist Association of Churches. We also serve in neighboring homeless shelters, food pantries and children's homes.
Where we are headed...
As Old Fields Baptist Church moves forward our goal is three-fold. We exist to WIN people to Christ, TRAIN believers to become disciples and to SEND disciples to impact the world. We will accomplish this through six connecting avenues.
1. We will CONNECT with GOD. Together we focus all of our heart, soul, mind and strength toward Him in worship.
2. We will CONNECT with our COMMUNITY. This is done through outreach and missions. We have been commissioned to tell the story of Christ Jesus.
3. We will CONNECT as a FAMILY. This is done through avenues of care for each other in the household of faith which is Old Fields Baptist Church.
4. We will GROW as DISCIPLES. Through Bible study and Prayer, we grow in our daily walk with God. This is done in small study groups.
5. We will TRAIN our CHILDREN. The children are the future of the church. We will focus on providing for them a strong foundation in God's Word
6. We will GROW as STEWARDS. Stewardship is our care for the things that God has entrusted to us. We strive not only to care for those things but to use them to bring Him greater glory.
1. We will CONNECT with GOD. Together we focus all of our heart, soul, mind and strength toward Him in worship.
2. We will CONNECT with our COMMUNITY. This is done through outreach and missions. We have been commissioned to tell the story of Christ Jesus.
3. We will CONNECT as a FAMILY. This is done through avenues of care for each other in the household of faith which is Old Fields Baptist Church.
4. We will GROW as DISCIPLES. Through Bible study and Prayer, we grow in our daily walk with God. This is done in small study groups.
5. We will TRAIN our CHILDREN. The children are the future of the church. We will focus on providing for them a strong foundation in God's Word
6. We will GROW as STEWARDS. Stewardship is our care for the things that God has entrusted to us. We strive not only to care for those things but to use them to bring Him greater glory.
