Bethabera Baptist Church, Oconee Co. GA ==================================================================== USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Darrell Wesley ==================================================================== Subject: Bethabera Baptist church Here is the article from the Dec 16, 1915 edition of the The Winder News. While in Oconee, this church has many representative members in Barrow and a host of friends and former members. It is one of the best known Baptist church in the South. Bethabera Baptist church was constituted under a brush arbor near the crossing of the Athens and Monroe and the Hog Mountain roads in what was then (1843) Clarke county now Oconee. The minute book covering a period of 12 years was destroyed by fire in the burning of the home of George E. Griffeth, and this part of the church history is a blank. Lucy Hayes, of sacred memory, was the leading spirit in the work of organizing the church. Among the first pastors were Loudermilk and Bedford Langford. The following pastors served the church since 1855. D. H. Moncrief, 10 years. J. G. McNorton, 1 year. C. A. Nunnally, 11 years. J. W. Butts, 3 years. T. J,. Swanson, 4 years. J. W. Butts, 1 year. W. A. Brooks, 2 years. W. A. Overton, 2 years. W. B. Walker, 1 year. W. S. McCarty, 1 year. H. S. Bernard, 10 years. T. E. McCutcheon, 7 years. J. W. McWhorter, 10 years. E. A. Fuller, 3 years. Clerks of the church since 1855, ?. F. Jackson, G. E. Griffeth, S. M. Wellborn, R. L. Griffeth, A. L. Malcom, J. L. Griffeth. Present Deacons: S. M. Wellborn, J. L. Griffeth, T. B. Bradley, A. G. Jones, H. A. Hardy. Superintendent Sunday school, H. A. Hardy, Statham, Ga., 150 students enrolled. The families most prominent with the life and history of the church are: Hayes, Griffeths, Jacksons, Smiths, Carithers, Lochlins, Coopers, Vickers and Evans. From the Carithers family -- Messrs. J. Y., R. L. and H. A. Sr. -- came the magnificent house of worship and real estate valued at $20,000 now enjoyed by the church. Present membership 321. largest membership of any church in the Appalachee association