About us

Founded by sixteen Welsh Baptists on April 22, 1711, we are proud of our almost 300 years of continuous Christian service in this community. We worship and study on ground rich in American history. While we strive to revere and learn from the past, we endeavor to have a creative program that meets the needs of the present.

We worship each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM in our Meeting House. Nursery care is available during the worship service.

The Baptist Church in the Great Valley is a place to meet new friends, to discuss ideas and concerns and to find spiritual renewal and strength to face the demands of our modern world. We seek to be a warm, outgoing congregation, concerned about people and their lives. Believing deeply in the Baptist tradition of individual freedom, we have open membership and invite anyone to join our fellowship through a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, a letter of transfer from another Christian church, or believer's baptism.

We are part of over 1.3 million American Baptists in the United States. There are over 6,000 churches, 112 of which are in the Philadelphia area. American Baptist Churches value independence, with each church choosing its own style and emphases of ministry. American Baptists believe strongly in the separation of church and state. They are ecumenical in spirit and cooperate with other churches for fellowship and mission.

Our History

Our history is peopled by faithful leaders and laity who have a established a liberal tradition of outreach and openness to others.

The Reverend David Jones served as Pastor of The Baptist Church in the Great Valley during the Revolutionary War period. He was a regimental chaplain to General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, and his usefulness in the war was not limited to the functions of a clergyman. He had a respectable knowledge of medicine and surgery, which he frequently used on the battlefield. Rev. Jones served as chaplain during the French and Indian War as well as the War of 1812. During his long career, he led pioneering missionary journeys westward to preach to American Indians. Rev. Jones is buried in the Church Cemetery.

The Reverend Leonard Fletcher was pastor from 1832 to 1840. During this time he baptized more than 400 people and started several of our seven daughter churches. Rev. Fletcher was a founder of the Wilberforce Anti-slavery society in Chester County. Rev. Fletcher is buried in the Church Cemetery.

Our Church Buildings and Grounds

Our Meeting House, constructed in 1805 of local Valley limestone, is an historic structure, adorned with a steeple containing a 628 pound bell and topped by a gold weather vane. The Meeting House is air-conditioned and has undergone major renovations in 1871, 1949, and 1970. Seating capacity is 200 people on the ground floor and 50 in the balcony.

The cemetery, which surrounds the Meeting House, reflects a great deal of history. The earliest burials are recorded in the 1720's. There are many stones in the cemetery which collectively present a lesson in the history of the Church and our country. It is also the burial place for veterans of all of this country's wars, and each grave is marked with an American flag.

A short walk through the cemetery from the Meeting House is The William Maxwell Scott Church School Building. This building contains meeting rooms, classrooms, a kitchen, offices and a large assembly hall with baptistery known as the Scott Room, The Scott Room has a high arched ceiling, many large windows, a hardwood floor, and a large fireplace. Many Fellowship events take place in this warm and comfortable room.

Our Sunday School

Our Sunday School Classes are arranged as follows:

  • Infants
  • Nursery
  • Kindergarten through 4th grade
  • 5th grade through 8th grade
  • 9th grade to Age 90

Our Music Ministry

Music is an important element to our Worship service. The Great Valley Chorale, our choir, is a small but enthusiastic group. We welcome all who wish to sing with us. Our hand bell choir, the Rhydwilym Ringers practices once a week, and again, we welcome all who wish to "ring" with us. No experience needed! We ring three octaves of Malmark hand bells.