History of Mullen Memorial Baptist Church

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 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:14,16 

Mullen Memorial Baptist Church is affiliated with the American Baptist Church USA, 

the Ohio Baptist Convention, and the Marietta Baptist Association. 

Mullen Memorial Baptist Church is named after the three Mullen sisters who organized a Sunday School Class in the Belpre Area and later donated land which eventually became Mullen Memorial Baptist Church. The history of the church is quite interesting and illustrates what a little mission effort on the part of a few can do. As is true in many cases, the Sunday School was the forerunner of the church. 

For several years, Mrs. C.W. Goodno (Nora), one of the Mullen sisters, conducted Sunday School on Sunday afternoons in the home at what is now 1505 Putnam Howe Drive, which she occupied with her sister, Emma Mullen. This house was the original Daniel Bent home, built in 1817. Mrs. Goodno and Miss Emma later moved to a small house on the property 1519 Putnam Howe Drive. The three sisters, Abbie Druse, Nora Goodno and Emma Mullen, attended the First Baptist Church in Parkersburg, As other Baptist families moved into the community and began attending the little Sunday School, it was moved into the schoolhouse across the road. 

When the building was no longer used for school purposes, the Mullen sisters bought it, along with some adjoining lots and designated the property was to be used for church purposes. If, at any time, it ceased to be used as such, it would be turned over to the Ohio Baptist Convention. This building has been moved to a location on the back of the lot and is currently used as a meeting place for the Boy Scouts. 

In November 1957, Mullen Memorial Baptist Church began sponsoring Boy Scout Troop 91. Oras Barickman was the first Scout Master. He was affectionately referred to as "Mr. B". On his birthday Feb. 7, 2016 the Scout Building was dedicated in his memory as the "Mr. B" Scout House. 

Minutes of the Marietta Baptist Association refer to the "Mullen Baptist Mission". In 1914 the enrollment was 34, with an average attendance of 30. Mrs. Mora Goodno was the active superintendent of the Mission School. 

Among the Baptists who moved into the community and searched for a church home, there were Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Parsons and Mr. and Mrs. Sandy Shaffer, who, with their children, attended the little Sunday School and watched it grow. They, along with others, felt the need of an organized Baptist church in the area and, along with Dr. and Mrs. I. C.W. Fling, Dr. J.C. Killian and others, were leaders in this effort. 

At a meeting held February 1, 1923, a motion was made, seconded and duly carried that a regular Baptist Church be organized at what was known as the Mullen Baptist Mission. 

It was decided to name the newly organized church the Mullen Memorial Baptist Church in honor of the three Mullen sisters who had given time and effort and donated the lot for the church, along with the adjoining lot. 

The first delegates were sent to the Marietta Baptist Association to represent the church on August 29-30, 1923, when the Association met at the Unity Church. 

In October, 1923, the pastor's salary was raised to $50 per month. The balance in the treasury January 1, 1924, was $35.43. 

The first record of a White Cross quota for mission outreach for the church was in January, 1924, when the letter was read at the business meeting, but no action was taken at that time. The first annual Roll Call was held February 6, 1924. Rev. Peyton gave the church his resignation at that meeting, but on March 9 he recalled the resignation. However, he left the church shortly thereafter. On May 14 of that year Rev. N.B. Hamrick of Simpson, West Virginia, accepted the call to become pastor at the salary of $800 per year. 

Construction was completed and a new building was dedicated April 24, 1925. As the church continued to grow the need became apparent for an education wing to be built. Using mostly volunteer labor, it was built in 1959. Rev. Doug Peters and his wife Connie began his work at Mullen in June 1961 and resigned it in Sept. 1964. Rev. Keith Mann and his wife Sara came as pastor in April 1965 and resigned as of Jan. 1969. Under his ministry, the debt on the Educational Unit was liquidated and the new sanctuary was built. We continue to enjoy the beautiful sanctuary in our current worship service to this day and we are so thankful for all the work our great God has done in the life of our congregation since 1923 and what He’ll continue to do!