On June 7, 1978, the Tri-City Baptist Church was established. Following the leading of the Lord, a faithful group of believers had been meeting for several months prior to that date. Their burden and desire was to start an Independent Baptist Church for the glory of the Lord to minister to the communities of the Mid-Ohio Valley area. The church would be committed to the inspiration and authority of the Bible as the Word of God. The man they asked to help them organize the church and to lead them in the new work was eventually called as the church’s first pastor, Rev. Richard Dooley. Under the leadership of Pastor Dooley, the newly-formed assembly of believers purchased its first building in June of 1978. The building located at 2510 Murdoch Avenue would serve as the home for Tri-City Baptist Church for nearly ten years. Pastor Dooley served as the church’s pastor from 1978 until October of 1981. 

After a prayerful pastoral search, the congregation called Evangelist Fred Fudge as the church’s second pastor in April of 1982. Under the leadership of Pastor Fudge, the congregation purchased approximately 10 acres of land on Grandview Street in Parkersburg. During 1982, the small congregation paid the full purchase price of $100,000 for the property that would become the home of the Tri-City Baptist Church. After several years of saving funds and selling the Murdoch Avenue property, the church was ready to build its new home. 

A groundbreaking service was held on the new site in April of 1986 and construction on the building began later that same year. The congregation held their last service in the Murdoch Avenue building on July 19, 1987. The following week, July 26, 1987, the fellowship of Tri-City Baptist Church held their first services in the newly-constructed building on Grandview Street. The weekly worship services and meetings are still held in this building. Pastor Fudge served as pastor of Tri-City from 1982 until October of 1990.  

In July of 1991, the congregation of Tri-City Baptist called Pastor Joe Ward to serve as the church’s third and current pastor. During the past sixteen years, improvements have been made to the building and grounds, vehicles for ministry and maintenance have been purchased, a garage facility has been constructed, a new picnic shelter is under construction, and, in 1999, the mortgage on the building was paid in full, ten years before it was due.  

More important than these material blessings, however, are the eternal treasures that God has produced through the ministries of Tri-City Baptist Church. Today the Gospel is being proclaimed, the Word of God is being taught, believers are being equipped, and souls are being won to Christ.

The Missions ministry of Tri-City reaches literally around the world. Groups and individuals from our fellowship have ministered in countries in Europe, Australia, Central & South America, Africa, the South Pacific, and Asia. Our missionary-partners are giving the Gospel and building churches in countries on nearly every continent.

The history of Tri-City Baptist Church is a rich and full testimony to the faithfulness of the Lord. The blessings that He began to bestow upon this church since its beginning in 1978 continue to abound to this present time. The future will no doubt reveal even more of His blessing and His faithfulness, if our Lord tarries His coming