Tiny Roadside Churches

In my travels through West Virginia, I frequently encounter abandoned roadside churches, relics of a bygone era.

In my travels through West Virginia, I frequently encounter abandoned roadside churches, relics of a bygone era. These structures, often situated precariously close to the road, evoke curiosity regarding the logistics of their congregation’s attendance. The limited space available for parking, with barely enough room for a single automobile across the street, suggests that the majority of the parishioners likely traveled on foot to attend services. This lack of adequate parking facilities possibly contributed to the congregation’s decision to relocate.

In the case of the Rich Creek Baptist Church, several decades ago, they moved to a new location with a more spacious lot, leaving behind these quaint but impractical edifices as silent witnesses to a past mode of worship and community gathering.