Bethel Baptist Church/ www.bethelbaptistchurchvision.net

On December 31, 1916 a group of 17 Christian believers, who had previously been holding mission meetings in a school house in the community, voted to organize a church and call it Bethel. On January 7, 1917 the newly organized church voted to call Rev. K. D. Stukenbeck as pastor.

Early in 1917, J. E. Daniel, Sr. and J. T. Edwards donated approximately three acres of land for the church site and construction began. The members continued to meet in the school house across the road while the church was being built. Part of the original three acres was later used for a church cemetery.

Bethel was originally part of a three-church field consisting of Seaboard Baptist Church, Elam Baptist Church inGumberry and Bethel Baptist Church. In 1957 Seaboard withdrew, leaving a two-church field of Elam and Bethel. On May 19, 1978 Bethel voted to become a one-church field and build a parsonage on approximately one acre of land adjacent to the church. This land was donated by William R. Massey, Jr. in memory of his father, William R. Massey, Sr. The debt-free parsonage was complete in July of 1980.

Throughout the years many improvements have been made to the original structure:

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September 15, 1918 - the present sanctuary and three inside classrooms were dedicated.
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1958 -three new classrooms and a baptistery were added.
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1968 - the present pews and pulpit furniture were donated.
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1975 -stained glass windows were donated and an education building was added.
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Other improvements include carpet, central heat and air, vinyl siding, landscaping, sidewalks, and chimes.
Bethel was organized through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and through the years many consecrated men, women and pastors have given of themselves freely in order that the tradition will continue.