In 1808, there were only 17 states in the U.S., and none were farther west than Tennessee. That was also the year Davis Dimock came to Montrose to begin a church in a community he had preached revival meetings the year before. On April 9th, 1808 a church of 11 members began. By the time Dimock retired from the pastorate in 1851, Bridgewater Baptist had grown to over 400 members.

In 1839, there was a church split over slavery. However, in 1843, a revival swept the community resulting in many conversions, 105 baptisms, and the reuniting of the two churches.

A wooden sanctuary that sat 500 people was built in 1846, but the present, smaller and sturdier structure was built in 1899.

Bridgewater Baptist left the Northern (American) Baptist Convention in 1936 and joined the General Association of Regular Baptists in 1943. Bridgewater has a rich history. John W. Peterson (who authored over 1000 hymns including "It Took a Miracle," "Over the Sunset Mountains," "So Send I You," and "Surely Goodness and Mercy.") was the choir director and Sunday School teacher at the church while he lived in Montrose from 1955-1963.

The present gym, kitchen and adjoining rooms were built in 1978. Pastor Bob Kadlecik was called in November of 2005. Several small group Bible studies were begun in the summer of 2005. A second contemporary Sunday morning service was added in April of 2006, and a third Sunday morning service in 2007. Pastor Brett Bixby and Pastor Andrew Peterson were both unanimously called to Bridgewaater in 2009.