BETHEL BAPTIST

    On December 12, 1956, a group of people met at the Sand Hill Church with the goal of establishing a full time church with a missionary program.  The group was unanimous that the church should be a Baptist Missionary Co-operative church.  At the first business meeting, the members decided that the name of the church would be the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.  Rev. Charles M. Killough was called as pastor and Mr. O.A. Whitehurst was called as active deacon. 

     The charter members of the church included: Mr. and Mrs. O.A. Whitehurst, Audean Whitehurst (Hammit), Anna Lou Whitehurst (Browning), Mr. and Mrs Ernest Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Seal Smith, Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Hall, Glenda Sue Hall (Solomon), Mrs. Nora Lee Smith, Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Carleton, Vickie Carlton, Joyce Ellis (Moss), Mildred Stultz (Metsgar), Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Chandler, Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Gray, Mrs. J.C. Cadenhead, Mrs. Jo Nell Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Files, Clyde Files and Brawner Lee Files.

     The church held its meetings at Sand Hill until a church could be constructed.  Mrs. Clara Gray donated about two acres of land at the intersection of FM 2247 and FM 567 (Sipe Springs Highway).  Frankie Morris was secured as the carpenter.  On December 24, 1956 the foundation of the church was laid.  The church held its dedication service on February 24, 1957 with special music by the De Leon Quartet.  The note on the church was paid in the summer of 1959 and a note burning service followed on July 12.


Material for this history was assembled by Vickie Carleton for Al Strasner’s Texas History Class in May 1965.


PASTORS

C.M. Killough   Dec ‘56-Jan ’58

Moody Smith    Feb ‘58-Mar ’60

Gerald Phillips  Apr ‘60- Apr ’62

Harry Earles     Mar ‘62-Jan 64

Guy White        Mar ‘64--

Bethel Church photos taken in March 1965 by Vickie Carleton.