Bethel Baptist Church

Our History

On April 14, 1955 the charter members made a bid for the old Catholic Church near the Freewater School. The bid was highest and purchased for $231.50.

June 13, Sam LeFore started digging the basement. On July 9, the building was moved onto the basement foundation.

August 21 we held our first Sunday School and church service in the new basement. By November 13 services were held in the newly finished sanctuary upstairs.

In later years five rooms were added to the back of the sanctuary and used as Sunday School classes.

Zara Hoon Memorial Sanctuary

Miss Hoon was always concerned about the lack of enough sanctuary space so she willed monies and land to build the new sanctuary. The building was dedicated Jan. 18, 1970.

Fellowship Hall and Nursery

In 1978 there was a need for a more accessible fellowship room and nursery. We also added a bathroom and a classroom. The open hallway was enclosed.

Multi-Purpose Building

This Project was needed because of the AWANA program being well received by the community. Several churched as well as non-churched children come weekly. We entertain over 100 children each session. Monies were given by church families, then matched by New Era of Philanthropy Foundation.

The multi-purpose project included a gym, kitchen, restrooms and storage.

The first activity in the gym was a Thanksgiving dinner in 1996. The dedication of the gym project was September 7^th 1997.

Our facility is used regularly for Church activities and is much appreciated by our members.

For details on our ongoing AWANA Program see the “Youth” page.