About Us
Mill Creek was chartered in 1804 and continues to be a fellowship of caring believers, led by Jesus Christ, who Praise His name, are growing spiritually through His Word, at the same time reaching out to others in love.
Mill Creek is a part of the Southern Baptist Convention and is a
co-operating church with the Baptist Gerneral Association of Virginia and the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association.
Mill Creek has active mission partnerships with churches in the Dominican Republic, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kenai, Alaska and on the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota. Come visit with us and become a part of a special fellowship with a heart for missions.
Our History
A Brief History of Mill Creek Baptist Church
“As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people. I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go into the House of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1 & 125:2
The Mill Creek congregation began worshipping two hundred and ten years ago in a log church building, located about one and a quarter miles from the present site, with twelve members (3 males and 9 females.) The church was planted in 1804 near the bank of Mill Creek along the turnpike from Buchanan to Amsterdam by the Reverend William Moorman who was the Pastor of Buffaloe Church in southwest Rockbridge County.
Father A.C. Dempsey (1821-1867) is credited with initiating and bringing to completion the construction of a second church building, the “Old Brick Church,” which was erected and occupied in 1854 to replace the first log church which had to be taken down to make way for the Southwestern Turnpike. The church reported ninety-three members.
There are several items which were part of this church building that are still found in our church today. The communion table and the wooden armchair are visible in photographs of the interior of the church. The organ was purchased in 1907 at a cost of $80.00. The large pulpit Bible (c. 1882), the oil lamps, and the grandfather clock were also used in this one-room church house.
The church appointed a building committee April 1910 who contracted with A.J. Miller to build the new church up to specifications drawn up by church member, Tillie Brugh. The Buchanan newspaper for April 22, 1910 reported that the old brick church was to be dismantled to be used as the inner walls for the new house of worship. The church relocated in 1911 to its current lot which adjoined that of the old one which was acquired from Mr. B.P. Obenshain.
An educational building was dedicated Sunday, October 25, 1964. At that service these words were read: “this building is vain without the solemn consecration of those whose gifts and labors it represents, let us now give ourselves anew to the service of God.”
In 2006 talk of a building project began in earnest. On March 7, 2010 the building project ballot count reported 156 “yes” votes and 4 “no” votes initiating the contract process with Blake Construction of Virginia, Inc. in partnership with Craighead Architects and Assoc. Through the leadership of the Building Committee Chair, Lara Lee Strickler, the proper permits and approvals were obtained and construction began August of 2012.
In June of 2014 the project was completed. In September 2014, we dedicated the new building by “recognizing the guiding hand of God in the planning and construction, and having been graciously prospered by the hand of God to finish the work which in His providence we felt led to perform, let all the people unite in devoting it unto Him for His worship and glory.”