Jasper County GaArchives News.....BICENTENNIAL BITS - Bethel Baptist Church 1970's ************************************************ 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: Suzanne Forte suzanneforte@bellsouth.net July 2, 2004, 9:51 pm Monticello News BICENTENNIAL BITS BY JOHN HARVEY "Bethel Baptist Church" Bethel Baptist Church was once an arm of Hopewell Church. The records of Hopewell show that in 1852 Hopewell began a mission at Bethel Station. By 1855 this mission had become self supporting and asked to become a sister church. The first meeting place of the Bethel Mission was in an old log schoolhouse just in front of the old Zed Piper place. A committee composed of L. R. L. Jennings, Wm. G. McMichael, John Skipper and Cader Malone met for the purpose of constituting a church at or near this place. The meeting was opened by singing and prayer. The constitution sermon was preached by Bro. McMichael after which the following names were presented for the purpose of becoming members of the church by transfer of letters from Hopewell: W. S. Williams, M. W. Pope, Wm. Steele, Jim Jane Bailey (sic) Thursday H. Williams Jane Steele, Margaret A. Steele, Martha Thomason, Mary Steele, Lucy A. Minter and Mary T. Pope. The examination of articles of faith was conducted by Bro. Jennings and agreed to by the members presenting themselves, whereupon they were constituted as a church. The charge was given by Bro. Cader Malone. The church then proceeded to the discussion of a name and Bethel was agreed upon. The church then went into conference, and the following matters were taken up: - The doors of the church were opened to receive new members. - Bro. W. S. Williams was recognized as a deacon, he having been a deacon at Hopewell Church, from which he transferred his membership. - M. W. Pope was appointed clerk. Bros. Williams and Pope volunteered to attend Central Association as petitioners for the church asking membership in that body. THE CHURCH'S FIRST BUILDING was dedicated in June, 1855, with the rolls showing some twenty members. On July 21, 1855, the church requested the treasurer, Mr. Phillips, to buy a Bible for use in the church. In 1900 the building had gotten in such bad shape that the members voted to replace it with a new one. One of the members, Mrs. Monroe Phillips, designed the new building. In 1908 the new building was dedicated. A copy of the bill presented to the church shows that the total cost of the new building was $1,219.70 when it was paid by the treasurer, whom some of the older members believe to have been Mr. Andrew Thomason. After the bills were paid, the books showed the church with a balance of 78 cents in the Jasper County Bank. Carlton Tyler, one of the members, remembers the pastor at that time to be the Rev. J. E. Pounds, of whom we have written before. The first communion was held with a glass pitcher and two small glasses. In 1906, Mrs. Monroe (Ida) Phillips and brother, Gus Malone, presented the church with a silver pitcher and two silver cups. In 1944 an individual communion set was given in memory of Mrs. Pamela Lee Kelly Thomason. In June 1946, Mr. Tuft Sammons gave a contribution to the church in memory of his father, E. W. Sammons, who was pastor of the church (1896-1898). This was used to buy a picture, "Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane", which now hangs in the church. In 1973, the Rev. L. H. Britt, then pastor of the church, presented the church with a "Book of Remembrance". Any love offering to the church is recorded in the "Book of Remembrance", and a card sent to the family. Mrs. Clinton Cason, Monroe Tyler, and Mrs. J. T. Thomason are the committee responsible for this. IN 1950 THE CHURCH began having two Sunday services a month. In 1953 the front of the church was changed from two doors at the front to a single set of double doors and porch, center front. Asbestos siding was also added. In 1958 four Sunday School rooms were added. In 1957, two of the old church record books are laminated to preserve them. In 1973 a fellowship hall was added. Sunday school and services have been held each Sunday since 1973. Fellowship and Bible study class conducted by Mrs. Coy Hooper are held on Wednesday nights. A seven piece pulpit set was given to the church in memory of the Thomason family who have been members since 1852. A Baldwin piano was given last year in memory of J. T. Thomason by his family. Pastors who have served Bethel Church include: W. G. McMichael, John Skipper, Washington Thomas, A. J. Freeman, Jasper Dickson, Alex Atkinson, J.C. Burton, E. W. Sammons, J.E. Pounds, J. W. Combs, J. J. Winburn, W. B. Underwood, Harvey Bell, C. F. Tidwell, W. M. Rainwater, Troy Hollingsworth, Harold Sangster, Marvin Pulliam, Durwood Souther, Ruel Westbrook , Travis Duke, Hugh Goolsby, L. H. Britt, Wayne Hartley, Preston Sanders, John B. Olliff, David Knight, J. J. Spillers and Walter Whitaker. The present pastor is David McClendon. Deacons are: J. Carlton Tyler, Ray Thomason, Coy Hooper, J. L. Thomason, Clinton Cason, Lamar Cason and Hardy Ogletree. Present membership both active and inactive is 76 members. Source: Mrs. Vivian C. Tyler, Clerk and Mrs. J. T. Thomason Additional Comments: Transcribed by Suzanne Forte (suzanneforte@bellsouth.net) from copies of articles contained in the Monticello News. There articles were prepared by Mr. John Harvey and published in this newspaper during the 1970's time frame. Permission has been granted by Mr. Harvey for use of these very valuable and informative articles File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/jasper/newspapers/gnw188bicenten.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb