Blue Run

Blue Run Baptist Church

Shiloh Association’s Oldest Church

13267 Blue Ridge Turnpike

Somerset, VA 22972

Mailing address: P. O. Box 1 Somerset, VA 22972
Pastor - Bill Horton 540-672-4135 wthorton3@verizon.net
Schedule: Sundays: Sunday School - 10:00 a.m. Worship - 11:00 a.m. Tuesdays: Bible Study - 7:00 p.m. First Tuesdays of each month: 6:15 covered dish dinner Wednesdays: Choir - 7:00 p.m.
A Brief History Blue Run Baptist Church of Somerset is proud to trace its origin to the early Separate Baptist movement of the 1760's. Those who dared to preach religious freedom and who did not support the Church of England were arrested and jailed. In 1766, such was the fate of Elijah Craig, Samuel Harris and James Reed who addressed gatherings in the Somerset area. Persecution only seemed to intensify the determination of the Separate Baptist movement. With Elijah Craig as its first pastor, the Somerset congregation began operating as a church unit as early as 1766. However, the church was not officially constituted until December 4, 1769 with the mother church being listed as Upper Spotsylvania, now known as Craigs Baptist Church. The actual physical location of this congregation has changed several times during the past two hundred years. The original meeting site was briefly located in the vicinity of Blue Hill, not far from the banks of the Rapidan River. Early church names included Rapid-Ann and Craigs Meeting House. In 1769, the congregation moved their meeting place to a site about a mile and one-half west of Somerset. More than a hundred years later, with a problem of diminishing membership, the property was sold to a black Baptist congregation. The original church building stands today, enjoys an active membership, and serves as a reminder of our religious heritage. With a tremendous amount of faith, the five remaining Blue Run members puchased the present church property in 1885 and made arrangements for the sanctuary to be built. It wasn't until 1949 and considerable growth in membership that the back portion of the church was added. Pastors who have served Blue Run Baptist during this span of years include: Elijah Craig, George Eve, Hamilton Goss, Robert Jones, John Goss, Edward Shipp, Floyd Binns, Lawrence Matthews, Charles Edmonds, James Perry, Lynwood Coffman, Barry VanPelt, Herman Inge and John Jarman, and Morton Robson. While Blue Run Baptist is very proud of its role in Virginia's rich religious history, we, as Christians, realize our increasing obligation and responsibility to future generations.

Mailing address:

P. O. Box 1

Somerset, VA 22972

Pastor - Bill Horton

540-672-4135

wthorton3@verizon.net

Schedule:

Sundays:

Sunday School - 10:00 a.m.

Worship - 11:00 a.m.

Tuesdays:

Bible Study - 7:00 p.m.

First Tuesdays of each month: 6:15 covered dish dinner

Wednesdays:

Choir - 7:00 p.m.

A Brief History

Blue Run Baptist Church of Somerset is proud to trace its origin to the early Separate Baptist movement of the 1760's. Those who dared to preach religious freedom and who did not support the Church of England were arrested and jailed. In 1766, such was the fate of Elijah Craig, Samuel Harris and James Reed who addressed gatherings in the Somerset area. Persecution only seemed to intensify the determination of the Separate Baptist movement.

With Elijah Craig as its first pastor, the Somerset congregation began operating as a church unit as early as 1766. However, the church was not officially constituted until December 4, 1769 with the mother church being listed as Upper Spotsylvania, now known as Craigs Baptist Church.

The actual physical location of this congregation has changed several times during the past two hundred years. The original meeting site was briefly located in the vicinity of Blue Hill, not far from the banks of the Rapidan River. Early church names included Rapid-Ann and Craigs Meeting House.

In 1769, the congregation moved their meeting place to a site about a mile and one-half west of Somerset. More than a hundred years later, with a problem of diminishing membership, the property was sold to a black Baptist congregation. The original church building stands today, enjoys an active membership, and serves as a reminder of our religious heritage.

With a tremendous amount of faith, the five remaining Blue Run members puchased the present church property in 1885 and made arrangements for the sanctuary to be built. It wasn't until 1949 and considerable growth in membership that the back portion of the church was added.

Pastors who have served Blue Run Baptist during this span of years include:
Elijah Craig, George Eve, Hamilton Goss, Robert Jones, John Goss, Edward Shipp, Floyd Binns, Lawrence Matthews, Charles Edmonds, James Perry, Lynwood Coffman, Barry VanPelt, Herman Inge and John Jarman, and Morton Robson.

While Blue Run Baptist is very proud of its role in Virginia's rich religious history, we, as Christians, realize our increasing obligation and responsibility to future generations.

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