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Bethel Baptist Church Contest - - - 1930 Author Unknown On
April 16, 1887 a group of people met at the Bethel schoolhouse for the
purpose of organizing a Baptist Church. The Presbytery consisted of E.M. Hunt, R.W. Thomas, Jr., R.L. Reeves, Lewis Holland, and J.S. Simmons. The articles of faith as contained in the Pendleton manual was adopted as the church covenant. Letters for admission for A. Bradley, Susan M. Bradley, W.A. Bradley, Susan A. Bradley, Lelitah C. Herrin, J.P. Autrey, Annie Autrey, Lawson Cameron, Lyda Cameron; Lou Ella Cameron, Ed Bradley, C.O. Bradley, J.F. Holland, Eliza Holland, W.D. McDonald, Elizabeth McDonald, M.E. McDonald, E.F. Jones, M.A. Jones, M.S. Jones, J.S. Layman, M.R. Layman, Felix Bradley, Sarah Bradley, Nannie Bradley, Garry Miller, M.C. Caylor, and Laura Caylor were read, and the hand of church fellowship was extended them by the presbytery. These members were from the Pilot Grove Baptist Church, several others came from different churches nearby. The organization was made up of about fifty-one members. Out of these fifty-one members, God has blessed many souls which have been saved through their influence. Many have joined the church while some have gone to other fields, some preaching, some teaching, and doing other work for the master. Many have crossed over the "River of Death" and to-day look down with beckoning hands to come up higher. The church adopted the name Bethel and continued to meet in the schoolhouse. They elected E.M. Hunt, Moderator, W.D. McDonald, church clerk, and B.F. Blanton, secretary. Having been well organized, Rev. R.W. Thomas, Jr. was called to serve s first pastor of the new organization. The second Saturday and Sunday were set aside as regular meeting days. After serving two years Brother Thomas resigned to go into other fields of work and R.L. Kirkland was called to fill his place until the Association which was to be held in September. Brother Kirkland served faithfully for about one year when he resigned and Brother Allen Reynolds was called as pastor of the church. He served for a term of eighteen months as faithfully as any man could and was loved by all who knew him. In 1891 Brother J.M. Harder was called as pastor. He was a young preacher of the community and was loved by all who knew him. The church continued to meet in the schoolhouse until April 3, 1897 when the church appointed the following building committee for the purpose of building a church house: W.D. McDonald. J.P. Autrey, J.A. Sweat, W.A. Bradley and W.D. Cowart. These men went to work and with the help of the community built one of the best church houses there was at that time in the country. The house is now standing and is used for the purpose for which it was built. On August 7, 1897 the house being completed, it was dedicated to the Lord and Master. The dedication sermon being preached by Rev. J.M. Harder who was pastor at that time. In addition to the church house, a committee was appointed to select a suitable burying ground. This committee was as follows: W.D. McDonald, J.P. Autrey, J.A. Sweat and W.D. Cowart. The committee selected a suitable plot near the church and B.F. Blanton donated two acres. The public has a burying ground through the church fee. Many times have we been called to bury our loved ones there, and the place has been made dearer to us. The ground is still in use and in good shape to this day. In 1898, a committee was appointed by the church to buy an organ for the church. This committee consisted of Ed. McDonald and D.W. Hill. After serving the church faithfully for nine years, Brother Harder resigned as pastor and Rev. J.L. Truett was called to fill his place. Brother Truett served for two years, when he resigned. During all these years the church was progressing very rapidly in the spirit of the Lord. Of the fifty-one charter members, many has been brought to know Christ through their efforts, and the Church was growing. Upon the resignation of J.L. Truett, Rev. H.E. Morris was called to fill his place,he stayed only about a year. Following Brother Morris, Rev. G.R. McCraw was called as pastor of the church, serving only eight months. In later years he returned and served about five years. About 1918 carbine lights were installed in the house, being piped from a tank just outside. These lights are being used in the house to-day. On April 8, 1919, a cyclone blew up and lifted the house off its blocks, damaging it some. As soon as the people of the community were permitted, they got busy and restored it to its resting place. The necessary repairs were also made. The steeple was removed and the house cardboarded and it still stands as then. During these years, Rev. T.E. League, W.W. Hodge, C.W. Capp, Rev. Laster, E.M. Atherton and G.M. Stuart have also served as pastor of the long loved place. A reunion was held at one time at the church having as many of the charter members and pastors present as possible. The meeting was an all day service and is remembered by all who attended. This was celebrated as the birthday of the church. After forty-three years of progress the old Bethel Baptist Church is still existing with about one hundred and fifty members. Out of the fifty-one charter members, something like twelve are still living, five of which live in this community. She still stands in the same spot where she was built. The organ has been discarded and a piano has taken its place, carbine lights have taken the place of the kerosene lamps, and it has been well cared for. Through the influence of the old church many souls have been saved. The community has produced some great preachers probably through its influence, also workers of other kinds. Some of these might be mentioned such as Ed McDonald as well know Gospel preacher, and G.S. Hopkins state secretary of the Sunday School The church now exists under the leadership of Rev. W.P. Grow as pastor. Instead of preaching service one Sunday of the month, she now has two which are the first and third. She has a weekly prayer meeting which is held on Friday night of each week. She also has two active B.Y.P.U.'s which are called Junior and Intermediate, also a very active Sunday School. The burial ground is also still in use and in good shape. The old place is one in which its memories will live in the hearts of all who know it and for generations to come. It is a place that has been made dear to us and all that is dear to us.  Bethel Baptist Church History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |