Lens Creek Missionary Baptist Church (LCMBC) is located in Hernshaw WV on Route 94.  We are about three miles from Marmet and about 7 miles from Racine.

We are an independent, fundamental, conservative Baptist church who still sing the old hymns and proudly use the King James Bible.

History

LCMBC was started as a mission of Browntown Baptist Church in what is now Marmet.  Marmet was incorporated as a town in 1921.  Before that, it used to be called Browntown or Elizaville.

On September 9, 1898, several brothers and sisters of the Browntown Baptist Church requested letters to organize the Browntown Mission into an independent church in Hernshaw, West Virginia.  This church was to be known as the Lens Creek Baptist Church.  

 The original church building was erected between 1900 and completed in 1903 on a lot given by Mrs. Marion Smith,  located at the mouth of Four Mile Road in Hernshaw.

On July 8, 1900, the church met and called T. G. Bonham as the first pastor. Pastor Bonham served the church until September 1, 1901.

On March 16, 1902, the church met and called J. S. Poe as pastor. Pastor Poe served until September 1, 1906. 

On May 12, 1957, Sanford A. (Buck) Harvey was called again and elected pastor and served the church for 18 years until his resignation on December 16, 1973.  The church began to grow under Preacher Harvey's leadership, and it was decided a new church would be built on a lot given by J. B. Griffith, which is the site of the present church on Route 94.  On the first Sunday in June (June 6, 1958), a ground-breaking service was held. The opening service in the new church was held on June 7, 1959 with T. D. Toler as guest speaker.

After nearly a year of construction, the building was finally complete.  The church held its dedication service for the new building on June 6, 1959, with Tom Toler preaching.

During Bunk Price's pastorate, the activity building was built and many improvements were made to the church.  Bunk served as pastor for over 25 years - the longest term of any pastor.

During Tim Martin's pastorate, the church was considering him as a full-time pastor.  

Under Pastor Greg Johnson, the bus ministry and youth group was established and had as many as 50+ young people on Wednesday nights.  The church still has an active bus minsitry and many children still come.  Greg also establsihed the church's website, www.lenscreekbaptistchurch.com.

The beautiful wood celings were installed during Roy Moles' pastorate.  

Under our present pastor, Andrew Neely, the church started to stream its services live.

Note:  The accuracy of the following pastors from 1906 to 1924 is uncertain because church records were destroyed in a fire at the home of J. B. Griffith, who was the church clerk at that time.