Elbert County GaArchives Churches Bethel E Baptist Church ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Transcribed by Chandler Eavenson 4 April 2006 Churches Bethel E Baptist Church The following is taken from a Church history which appeared in the Elberton Star newspaper on 25 Oct 1974, compiled by Mrs. F. M. Young and Lamar Walker: "Bethel E Baptist Church was established on August 15, 1829, when it was granted a 'seperate existence' from its mother church, Van's Creek Baptist. Forty-three charter members were listed on the rolls, 10 members and 33 slaves. This Bethel Church is designated in the Hebron Baptist Minutes as Bethel E, to distinguish it from another Bethel in Madison County known as Bethel M. "On December 8, 1829, Solomon Jones was ordained as the first deacon. The Reverend William James Davis was the first pastor, serving a full twelve years. The pastor fought under the command of Marquise Lafayette in the American Revolution, and was present at the surrender of Lord Conwallis at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781. "Bethel Church as had three locations. First east of Beaverdam Creek, at Pearl Mill. Later it was moved to the west side of Beaverdam Creek, and still later to its present location, nine miles east of Elberton on Highway 72. In 1909 Bethel Church extended an arm of its work to Dry Fork Schoolhouse, on motion of Deacon Stockton C. Hudson. This grew into New Bethel Church and later changed its name and location in 1915 to Fortsonia Baptist Church. "The present building of Bethel sanctuary was erected in 1917-18 with members contributing lumber and labor for the new construction. The roof was the chief expense for the new building at this time. The Sunday School Annex, three Sunday School rooms, at the rear of the Church, were added in 1948-49, led by Pastor J. C. West, with a Building Committee made up of O. D. Jones, Sr., Calvin Childs, John Newt Dye and Jack J. Mills.... "Bethel Church property in this century has twice been enlarged. In the 1930's Hudson and Drake (namely, Dave C. Hudson and A. N. Drake) donated a plot of ground on the west side of the church, and in 1949 approximately two acres were purchased, increasing the cemetery space.....In 1928 and 1950, the Church has served as the center for the Hebron Baptist Associational Meeting." Contributed by; Chandler Eavenson