Our History:

Established in 1933 in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania, with 33 charter members, Wrightsdale Baptist Church is the oldest Southern Baptist church in Pennsylvania. Rev. George Renegar led the church its first year and the membership increased to 103. Rev. J. C. Ledbetter served as pastor from 1934-1937. During that time the church was meeting in a little chapel owned by Little Britain Presbyterian Church. Wrightsdale bought the little chapel in 1934 for $400.00. The congregation grew and an addition was added to the building in 1937.

William H. Haney became the first full time pastor in 1937 and remained until March 1945. 123 members were added during his pastorate bringing the total membership to 225. He held 21 funerals and married 41 couples. He missed only two Sundays in the time he was at the church. The WMU was also organized during his pastorate. Following Rev. Haney, the church called Rev. Riley Hensley in 1945 and he stayed with the church till June 1946.

A pastor's home was constructed on Black Barren Road when Rev. Renegar returned as pastor in July 1946. Wrightsdale Baptist Church held its first Vacation Bible School on June 16-27, 1947. Rev. Renegar resigned in April 1950 and Rev. Haney returned in May 1950 and stayed for seven years. The Brotherhood was organized in 1955.

Rev. Edgar Sigmon became pastor in 1957. In 1959, the church was incorporated and plans were laid for the construction of a new sanctuary. The new two-story brick building was completed in 1961 at a cost of $75,000 under the leadership of Rev. Edgar Sigmon. In July of 1960, the first mission was attempted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The distance from the mother church presented a problem in establishing the work there. Rev. Sigmon terminated his pastorate in 1963. Rev. Hubert Hendley became the next pastor and stayed till 1965. He was followed by Rev. Chester Mason who stayed until April 1972.

The need for a pastor's home to be close to the church became a reality in 1971 and the old parsonage was sold and a new red-brick parsonage was completed in 1973. Rev. and Mrs. Charles Gordon were the first residents and lived there until 1977. The Gordon's were instrumental in promoting a good music program and an interesting and successful youth program. Under the leadership of Rev. Gordon, a Spanish speaking mission in Lancaster, PA was sponsored by the church.

Rev. Marshall W. Parsons came to pastor Wrightsdale in January 1978 and retired in April 1984. The parsonage was equipped with central air-conditioning in 1983. Rev. Troy Massey arrived in June 1985 and remained until 1987 when he took the position of the Associational Director of Missions. It was in 1986 that we decided to support the Shamokin Mission. Much work, repairs, prayers, and money was given to the mission, but lack of response in the area caused the mission to close in 1989. Rev. James Nelson and his family arrived in January 1988. The parking lot was paved in 1989 and a new sound system was installed in 1991. New hymnbooks were purchased and in the pews for Homecoming of 1992. In January 1993, Wrightsdale voted to become the mother church for a new work in Lancaster pastored by Rev. Orion Rhodes. Rev. Nelson left the pastorate in September 1994 and Troy Massey returned to the pastorate at Wrightsdale in June 1995. The church began a softball team in 1996. A committee was appointed to search out the needs for a multi-use building and the building fund was begun. One half acre of ground was bought from the farmer next door. In October 1998, Truth or Terror began as an alternative to Halloween. Rev. Massey resigned as pastor in September 2000.

Dr. Terry Douglas was called as Interim Pastor and the church purchased the corner property in December. Dr. Douglas became pastor in March of 2001 and moved into the house on the corner property. Weaver Construction Company of East Earl, PA was hired to design and build a new fellowship hall, nursery, kitchen - Phase I. Rev. Eric Gervais began serving as Youth Pastor in May 2001 and moved into the brick parsonage. When he left, we did not fill the position of youth pastor. We began a second service in 2002 with a Praise Team. Dr. Douglas retired in 2005 and the fellowship hall of the new building was named Douglas Hall in his honor.

Dr. David Pope was called as pastor on Sunday April 2, 2006; and on Sunday, April 30, 2006, he preached his first sermon as pastor of Wrightsdale. Pastor Pope and his wife, Cindy, moved here from Western Avenue Baptist Church in Connersville, Indiana. Their first homecoming was July 23, 2006, the 73rd anniversary of the church.

Pastor David and Cindy Pope surrendered to the missionary call to spread the gospel among the peoples of West Africa. They were approved by the International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention, and departed for West Africa in January, 2009.

Dr. Terry Douglas was called out of retirement to be the senior pastor, and he began pastoral ministry in September, 2008. Phase II (worship center) of the building project was completed April 2009 and the first service was held in the new sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009.

Special recognition:

• Neal Johnson, who served 51 years as a teacher in the Sunday School, beginning in the Little Chapel.
• Mrs. Lelia Phipps, who grew the grapes, made the grape juice, and prepared the table for the Lord's Supper from the beginning of the church until her death in 1967.
• Janet Welch, who has served faithfully as church pianist since 1951.