Grounded in the Past; Soaring into the Future
Parchment Valley was born out of a vision to have a year-round conference center that provided space and programming for the churches of the West Virginia Baptist Convention. In October of 1965, the convention voted at its Annual Meeting to purchase the Hyres farm after an extensive review of the property and consideration of other locations. Once the purchase was complete, development of the conference center began. The milking barn was converted into a meeting space. In Parchment Valley’s early years, guests would also sleep in the meeting rooms. Programming at Parchment Valley Conference Center officially began in 1974.
Parchment Valley is what it is today because thousands of people shared the same vision. As you walk through the grounds, you will see many of the early visionaries honored with their names on various places around the grounds.
In 2022, the Parchment Valley Board of Directors voted to initiate the Don Loudermilk Society as a way of honoring Don’s great legacy to the ministry at Parchment Valley and as a way to provide consistent funding for the ongoing ministry. Don loved Parchment Valley and dedicated much of his life developing the grounds and programming for the center. His love for Parchment Valley also led him to write its history in I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.
”Bill (Rev. Bill J. Farmar, who the Barn was named after) had a dream that one day West Virginia Baptists would have a conference center that would be more than a camp site. It would be a year-round center where the constituents could retreat from their everyday routines and responsibilities and find a beautiful setting in which heart, mind and soul could be inspired to new heights of worship, discipleship and service.”
I’ve Been to the Mountaintop: A History of Parchment Valley
Dr. Don Loudermilk
You can join the countless individuals who have upheld the ministry of Parchment Valley over the years by joining the Don Loudermilk Society.
When you pledge to give a contribution to the general support of Parchment Valley (minimum of $100 annually), you will receive:
- Recognition at the annual picnic at Parchment Valley
- A voucher for free lodging for one weeknight every year
- A subscription to The Parchment Valley Scroll and The West Virginia Baptist Newsletter
- Cat’s Meow replica of the Barn (for charter members)
From its foundation, Parchment Valley has depended on the generosity of the membership of the convention to provide the resources for the great ministry envisioned by its founders.
You can be a part of the ongoing history of Parchment Valley by joining the Don Loudermilk Society Today.