First Baptist Church

On September 2, 1789, early settlers to the area gathered to establish a Baptist Society in what was then the town of Chemung, and now the town of Ashland. The society was recognized by the Baptist Association in 1791 after the faith and order of the church was examined. Roswell Goff was ordained as its pastor. In 1812, a log church was built on land in Wellsburg that Abner Wells sold to the congregation for fifty cents. For many years it was the only church for miles around. In 1861 the building was enlarged and remodeled to accommodate the growing congregation.

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Marker at the site of the first church of any denomination in Chemung Valley The site where Baptist services were first held in 1789 is marked by a plaque on a large boulder on Wilawana Road about one mile east of Wellsburg.
First Baptist Church, early 20th century Over the years, the church was renovated and remodeled. The Parsonage was purchased in 1888, and the baptistery and robing rooms were added in 1896. On March 12, 1965, the church burned, but it was rebuilt.
Portable pulpit, c. 1800 Carried on horseback and used for local missionary work primarily by Pastor Roswell Goff of the fledgling Wellsburg Baptist Church. From the collection of the Ashland Historical Society
Burial ground next to the First Baptist Church in Wellsburg, 1940 The graveyard surrounding the Baptist Church was the first piece of ground in Ashland set aside for the interment of the dead. Before land had been specifically set aside for a cemetery, burials generally took place on family land. There are several small burying grounds throughout the area including the Knoll in Lowman where soldiers who died during the Sullivan Campaign and members of the Baldwin family are buried.
Christ Episcopal Church, c. 1920 The Baptist Church was one of three churches established in Ashland in the 1800s. The Methodists first met in 1839, and built a church in 1848. Christ Episcopal Church organized in 1867, and consecrated its building in 1870.

First Baptist Church

Marker at the site of the first church of any denomination in Chemung Valley

The site where Baptist services were first held in 1789 is marked by a plaque on a large boulder on Wilawana Road about one mile east of Wellsburg.

First Baptist Church, early 20th century

Over the years, the church was renovated and remodeled. The Parsonage was purchased in 1888, and the baptistery and robing rooms were added in 1896. On March 12, 1965, the church burned, but it was rebuilt.

Portable pulpit, c. 1800

Carried on horseback and used for local missionary work primarily by Pastor Roswell Goff of the fledgling Wellsburg Baptist Church. From the collection of the Ashland Historical Society

Burial ground next to the First Baptist Church in Wellsburg, 1940

Christ Episcopal Church, c. 1920

The Baptist Church was one of three churches established in Ashland in the 1800s. The Methodists first met in 1839, and built a church in 1848. Christ Episcopal Church organized in 1867, and consecrated its building in 1870.