Gwynn's Island Baptist Church sits on Old Ferry Road in the small community of Gwynn in Mathews County, Virginia, where it has welcomed islanders and visitors through its doors for more than 140 years. The congregation's self-described mission, "Serving The Lord By Serving Others," shapes everything from its Sunday worship to a monthly Prayer Quilt Ministry that wraps members and neighbors in handmade comfort. Sunday worship airs on FM 103.1 for those tuning in from the road, and the church hosts weddings, funerals, and baptisms as part of its life on the island.
A Church on the Island Since 1874
The church was founded in July 1874 and has been a steady presence on Gwynn's Island ever since. Generations of fishing families, watermen, and others who make their living along the creeks and coves of the Chesapeake Bay have called it home. The current sanctuary, located at 2011 Old Ferry Road, holds the regular Sunday gathering and continues to host life's biggest moments for the wider community. The congregation describes itself as a growing church family that welcomes people of all ages to its Sunday services.
Sunday Mornings at 10
Worship begins at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary each Sunday. The service is described as traditional in feel, with a choir, a multi-aged praise band known as the Island Praise Band, weekly special music, and practical, Bible-centered teaching from Pastor Ed Jordan. A typical Sunday includes an opening set of songs or hymns, scripture reading, special music from a soloist or ensemble, the sermon, prayer, and a closing song or benediction. Offerings can be placed in the plate as worshippers exit. Visitors who cannot attend in person can tune in to FM 103.1 and listen from their car as they drive along the island's roads.
Sunday School at 9:45
Before the worship hour, Sunday School gathers at 9:45 AM. The classes are organized to span every age and stage of life:
- Men's Bible Class
- Fidelis Class (women)
- Faithfull Class (women)
- Young Adult / Couples
- Cross Trainer (college-aged)
- Youth (grades 8 to 12)
- Children II (grades 5 to 7)
- Children I (grades K to 4)
- Preschool and Nursery
A Sunday evening interactive Bible study led by the pastor meets at 6:30 PM, giving the day two distinct times to dig into scripture together.
Bible Study Through the Week
Beyond Sunday morning, the church offers several Bible study groups during the week. A women's Bible study meets on Thursday mornings at 10:00 AM, and a men's Bible study meets on Tuesday mornings. The Island Praise Band rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM in preparation for Sunday worship. The church also runs a youth Bible study that meets on Sunday afternoons. Together, these groups give the small congregation several touchpoints each week for prayer, conversation, and study.
The Island Praise Band and Music Ministry
Music is a long-standing part of the church's identity. Alongside the choir, the Island Praise Band brings together musicians of varying ages to support congregational singing each week. The band practices on Wednesday evenings and is regularly featured in Sunday worship alongside special music from soloists and ensembles within the church family. The church has been seeking a part-time Music Leader to help plan and lead this ministry.
The Prayer Quilt Ministry
One of the church's most distinctive outreach efforts is its Prayer Quilt Ministry. Volunteers meet on the second Tuesday of each month at noon in the Quilt Room to piece together quilts that are then given to people facing illness, grief, or hardship. Each quilt carries the prayers of the makers, and the ministry has become a quiet but powerful way the congregation cares for its neighbors across Gwynn's Island and beyond.
What the Church Believes
Gwynn's Island Baptist Church holds to a historic Christian faith. Members affirm that there is one God who exists in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - and that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, born of a virgin, fully God and fully man. They believe Jesus lived a sinless life, died in the place of sinners as a sacrifice, was buried, rose from the grave, and ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit, they teach, is at work in the world convincing unbelievers of their need for salvation and serving as Comforter and Guide to every believer. The church's working verse is Romans 12:11-13, calling believers to keep their spiritual fervor, serve the Lord, practice hospitality, and share with those in need.
Weddings, Funerals, and Baptisms
The church offers its sanctuary as a setting for traditional, biblical Christian weddings, as well as funerals and baptisms. Couples and families from across Gwynn's Island and the surrounding Mathews County area have marked life's biggest moments here.
The Pastor and Pastoral Care
Dr. Ed Jordan serves as pastor. An award-winning columnist, he also writes regularly for the church's blog, where reflections and devotional pieces are shared with the wider community. The church is served by a team of deacons who walk alongside members during times of need, including prayer for those who are sick or shut in.
Visiting Gwynn's Island Baptist
The church sits on a quiet stretch of Old Ferry Road in Gwynn, just a short drive from the small bridge that connects Gwynn's Island to the rest of Mathews County. The physical address is 2011 Old Ferry Road, Gwynn, Virginia 23066, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 26, Gwynn, Virginia 23066. Office hours are Thursday from 9:30 AM to noon and Sunday from 9:00 AM to noon. The church phone number is 804-725-2384, and the general email is welcome2gibc@gmail.com. Visitors are welcomed at any Sunday service.