Bethel History

Bethel Baptist Church was organized by a Presbytery consisting in part of Elder Perminter Morgan and Ambrose Carleton in 1801.  Rev. Perminter Morgan was a pioneer Baptist minister who began work in this section of the country about 1789.  He became the first pastor of the Bethel church and continued preaching there until his death. His biography states he was pastor of Bethel but the date was not recorded.  He died in 1824 and was buried in the Bethel Cemetery .  We are told during this period the church passed through trying circumstances but an increase of 60 persons were baptized increasing the membership to 100.  After the death of Rev. Morgan the church had no regular pastor until about 1831.  During those years church members, as well as their interest, decreased, with a new revival of spirit 1831 to 1837 attributed to the successful labors of Elder Alford Webb.  The church flourished again.  We are told that the church membership at the time consisted  of 147 white members and 13 black.  One historian, when writing about Bethel church, stated, "It is significant that the records show the church to be constituted upon the articles of faith which are the same in substance as those held in our Baptist Churches today.  The record states since that period it (Bethel Church) has been alternately supplied with the ministration of life by Elder J. C. Grayson and William Hill and lately by Bailey Bruce, who is still exercising in that capacity." 

In 1840, the Green River Association was organized from a part of the Broad River Association.  We are told there were only three Baptist Churches in our McDowell County at that time, Bethel, Bethlehem, and New Bethany.  These churches were received as charter members in the Green River Baptist Association.  Bethel Church remained a faithful member of that association for 92 years.  For the sake of convenience a change of membership was made to join the Blue Ridge Baptist Association at its fourth session held at Harmony Grove Baptist Church in 1932. 

This historical information of Bethel Baptist Church has been taken from history published in the Green River Baptist Association minutes meeting at High Shoal Church, Rutherford County, Friday, October 30, 1846.  Also, some items taken from the "Report of Historian" by Rev. E. E> Gilliam in the 1940 minutes, and the "History of the Bethel Baptist Church" by L.G. Redding recorded in 1949 associational minutes.

The records show progress since 1949. The first sign was erected in front of the church and a bell was placed in the tower.  The property adjoining the new cemetery was purchased and the new road around the cemetery improved. 

In 1954, the church became a full - time pastorate. Later in 1958, a building committee was appointed for the purpose of constructing a pastorium.  The following year it was completed at a cost of $6000.  As soon as the final payment was met, plans were  in the making for an educational building on Sunday, July 7, 1963.  The Bethel Sunday School occupied their new building with 114 in attendance.  This attractive and much needed Educational Building is valued at $15,000.  In it is housed an office, library, pastor's study, rest rooms and twelve classrooms.  

Since the Bethel membership had acquired the desire and determination to meet their construction needs, plans for building a sanctuary was next.  On December 3, 1967, the church moved into their newly completed sanctuary of which they are rightfully proud.  The corner stone - laying ceremony was held on December 17, 1967.  

The ministers who have served Bethel Baptist Church as pastor since 1949 are as follows:  

Clyde R. Green 1947 - 1953; 
Carl Allen  1953 - 1954; 
Wray Hill 1955 - 1956;
Toy Wadell 1957 - 1959; 
Ray Caldwell 1959 - 1961; 
Sumpter West  1961 - 1968; 
Edgar Smith 1969 - 1970; 
Marvin Greenway 1971 - 1975; 
Thomas Sisk 1975 - 1980; 
George Rose 1981 - 1986; 
Gerald Porter 1986 - 1989; 
Jimmy Upton  1989 - December 2023;

Intirim Pastor - Roger Hayley April 2024 - present