We have been actively serving the Upper Country community since 1889.
Midvale Community Baptist Church
Midvale Idaho
Organized in 1889
Our History
The first meeting for worship in Middle Valley was held in 1881 with five people in attendance. A Methodist Minister conducted this service. At that time it was agreed for all to attend one church regardless of what denomination was represented. After a few years, and probably some disagreements, the Baptists and Church of Christ decided to each have their own churches. The Baptist Church was organized around 1889.
The founding families were Tom and Bill Mackay; Anderson, Milton, and Milford Hopper; Harvey and Francis Brittian and Charlie Reavis; all with large families. At the first they held their meetings in a saloon run by Mr. Reavis and in the home of the people. The first Baptist minister of this church was Anderson Hopper. The second pastor was a Mr. Ellion (or Elton) and while he was minister, the First Baptist Church was built in the Keithly Creek area. In about 1900 a man by the name of Charley Lydston began promoting the idea of a Baptist Church in the village of Midvale. He was successful and this building was built about 1905.
2023-Present
Pastor Chris Blythe began preaching on Sundays with the desire to provide Pulpit support while the church was searching for a permanent pastor. Pastor Chris, his family, and the church recognized the Lord was calling him to be the Bi-vocational Pastor and he was installed in August 2023. Since then, the church has been focused on outreach and ministering to the community.
Pastor Chris
Chris responded to his call for pastoral service in 2001 which led him to enroll in Bible college. He completed a BS in Bible/Ministry in 2005 at Southern Christian University (Now Amridge). He continued his education by finishing an MA in Christian Studies at Luther Rice Seminary in 2011. Chris was licensed into the Gospel Ministry by the late Rev. Chuck Worth in Franklin, VA in 2008. Chris has pastored churches in rural Virginia, North Carolina, Idaho and was a church planter in Chatham, VA with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. His ministry focus and call has been to help declining rural churches through a Revitalization process that would reduce church closures. Chris’ work has led to an increase in salvations, baptisms and attendance in the churches he has pastored. He has a passion for the Gospel and dedication to reaching the hurting community. When Chris is not teaching or preaching, he works as a Mental Health Therapist at Lifeways in Ontario, OR. Chris became a Board Member of Love, INC of Weiser Idaho in January 2025.
Pastor Chris has been married to Jenny since 1999 and they have five sons. Three of them are adults living in Caldwell while the remaining two are teens. Chris and his family enjoy the outdoors and spend their free time fishing, hunting and spending time near any body of water. Chris is an avid wildlife photographer and spends time photo hunting for a “great shot.” The Owl is one of his favorite pictures.
Family Picture coming soon.