Irvington Baptist Church

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Christian experience began here mid-to-late 1800s with brush arbor, shore-side prayer meetings on the banks of Carter Creek. Gradually it grew into an alliance of Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist believers, each holding adjudicatory membership elsewhere.

As time would have it, the meeting place was relocated into the town proper as the Carter Creek Meeting House.

We were first a mission congregation of the Morattico Baptist Church, east of Kilmarnock, pastored by premiere Virginia Baptist minister The Reverend Mr. Fred Claybrook.

In 1895, the town of Carter Creek Wharf was renamed Irvington in honor of the fish factory owner John Irving and thus our Church followed as well. Our original 1891 building consisted of a one-room sanctuary.

By 1896, we found that the space was inadequate for a changing community and the growing body of worshippers. A balcony, classrooms and baptismal pool were added. By the mid-1930s, we had outgrown our facility yet again; and a 2-story addition consisting of five classrooms, kitchen and restrooms was appended.

Irvington went through the transition of being a Steamboat Wharf and seafood processing community to that of a town crossroads, as motorcars replaced ferries and steamboats in the 1930s. Most journeys required a ferry ride, since there were no bridges. This gave rise to the phrase of “going-off-shore” whenever folks would leave.

The aquaculture industry faded; there are no working watermen in our town today. No matter, the area grew more populated with retirees.

In 1991, we added a fellowship hall and an expanded kitchen for our social events, and to serve as a community center when called upon by friends, neighbors and/or town and county.

We were honored later to open our doors as a voting precinct polling site for local, state and national voting, along with public use of our facilities by a number of community agencies, including the Irvington Town Council.

From 2003 to 2022, further renovations were done to service both Church and community, to include a ramp and elevator.

Ours is a youth-oriented, music loving, Bible study, inspiring preaching fellowship of Christians. We would love to have you visit us any Sunday or Wednesday. (53 King Carter Drive)