Bethel Church
Wilkes County | Organized in 1835
Bethel Church was founded in the days of the great Methodist expansion of the early 1800’s. The exact date is (at this time) unknown. New settlers and farmers entering the area realized the need for a place of worship and built a small log house located on Scull Shoals Road seven miles from Washington, GA. That structure was used for worship as well as a schoolhouse. The first Bethel church was located about a mile from where the present structure is located. Records of the church and class meetings were kept by George Smith and document the congregation’s growth. There are records of slave members as early as 1838.
Read more...By 1849, the church recognized the need to move to larger quarters. After receiving a gift of 3.7 acres nearby, a new church was built on that lot in a pine grove situated behind the present church’s location. This new church was a white frame building with large windows and green blinds and had a seating capacity of 300. There were two front doors, one for men and one for ladies. A partition three or four feet in height divided the center row of pews and not even husbands and wives sat together but, instead, sat across the partition from each other. Young men and ladies who came together did the same. The old men sat in the “amen corner” near the pulpit on the left and the old ladies sat on the right.
In 1912 discussions began concerning erection of a new building for Bethel. The present structure, sited closer to the front of the lot and to the road was opened and dedicated on July 23, 1916. The church with furnishings, piano, etc was completed and paid for at a cost of approximately $7,000. Today, the Bethel congregation enjoys a lovely historic church with arched doorways welcoming them into a 300 seat sanctuary with beautiful stained glass windows, pulpit furniture, oak pews and two, Civil War era , captains chairs from the old church placed near altar.
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10 responses to “Bethel Church”
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Thanks, what a beautiful church you’ve captured with photos & text. I’m sorry to hear they left the United Methodist Church, but glad to know they continue on.
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What a classic church which was the center of activity back then. It is sad that our society has moved away from our religion. What has happened to the modern Methodist church is an example of the move away from God. Let’s hope that there is not a big price to pay. God Bless America (250 years)
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Beautiful church with a rich history and kind people. Proud to have served there as a pastor from 2002-2007.
Rev. Kathy Lamon -
Bethel Church members voted to leave the United Methodist Church and have become an Independent church.
They now have a Facebook site.-
Thank you for the information, Virgil.
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Even though they left the UMC have they remained and hold services in the building?
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Yes, Janet. The church remains open. We have Sunday School at 10 and Worship at 11 on Sundays and on Wednesdays, we have prayer at 5:30 and Bible Study at 6:00. Wed. times are subject to change as days shorten. We would love for you to come visit!
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Yes, Janet. We remain open and have services every Sunday at 10:00 Sunday School and 11:00 Worship. We also have service on Wednesday. 5:30 prayer and 6:00 Bible Study. Time is subject to change when days shorten
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Per the Book of Discipline, a church could leave the UMC and keep their property by satisfying certain criteria. Over 350 churches in Georgia left the UMC. That window closed on 12-31-2023 and churches were not given another way to leave at the annual conference in May 2024.
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Mary maternal grandmother belonged to this church. Mary Jane Tucker Cofer
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