In 1896 F. M. Pegram became Sunday
School Superintendent. In 1897 Quarterly Conference
decreased pastor's salary to $565.00. In 1900 it
was decided to divide the charge to Flat Rock Circuit
and Oak Ridge Circuit. Flat Rock Circuit consisted
of Bethel, Flat Rock, Palestine, and Gideon's Grove.
The pastor's salary was to be $400.00.
In 1903, Mr. J. B. Ogburn and Mr.
J. R. Dwiggins were appointed to buy a house for the
parsonage from Mr. W. B. Gentry. They bought it
for $700.00. A corn crib and buggy shed were built
in 1907 for $17.00.
Pastor's report of 1903 states
"Sister Julina Williams, one of Flat Rocks oldest
members has recently passed away. She was a good
woman and died in her faith. This seems to be the
first time woman was recognized. She was Mrs. H.
B. Pearman's grandmother.
The pastor states plans were being
made to build a new church at Bethel. This is to
be made of brick size 36 by 50 feet. The Quarterly
Conference of 1906 resolved and passed that all official
board members who did not appear at quarterly
conferences must have a good written excuse or they
would be taken off the board by the Character Examining
Board..
The motion was made and passed
that all colored people use their own cemeteries as
burying ground and not use the cemeteries of our
churches on circuit. Dick Weathers was the last
colored man buried at Bethel in 1932 by special permit
of the Church.
In 1907 Bethel built a new church.
Mr. Neecy Gordon and Mr. Oliver Pegram were builders by
help of church members. The rocks for the steps
came out of a branch. Mrs. Curtis Jones says she
remembers her daddy bringing them to church on the
wagon. At this time the bell was also bought for
the church.
They had a lot of foresight when
they built this house of worship for it is our present
church but has been remodeled until it looks like s new
church today.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Case donated
land in 1915 to Bethel Church. Property of Bethel Church
was valved at $3,000. In 1917 Rev. J. R. Hulton was
elected as pastor of the charge. In 1919 the pastor's
salary increased to $1,000. In 1922 Bethel reported to
conference that they had painted the church roof which
cost $46.49.
I came to Bethel Community in 1922
and remember Rev. J. R. Hulton saying in his sermon that
a man who would not pray was worse than an old hound dog
-- even an old dog knew to look up and beg for a piece
of bread then wag his tail in appreciation.
In 1923 the pastor's salary was
increased to $1,219.50. In 1925 Bethel painted the
church. In 1926 carpet for the floor cost $85.00. In
1927 the Delco plant bought for Bethel cost $325.00. In
1931 cedar trees sold off the cemetery brought in
$75.00. In 1937 electric lights were installed for
$21.00 and the inside of the church was painted for
$75.00. In 1942 Troy Pegram received local preacher's
license. He preached at Bethany one Sunday a month for
five years. In February, 1957 the addition of Sunday
School rooms was started. An architect from Duke helped
with the plans. In February we voted whether to brick
the church. Two voted for and thirteen against. Troy
Pegram pledged $500.00 to brick the church and
challenged other church members to follow. Meeting the
challenge were Mr. Broadus Pearman with $500.00; Mr. H.
A. Pope, $50.00; and Mr. Charlie Pope, $50.00. It was
then decided to brick the church. The Woman's Society of
Christian Service solicited members and families agreed
to buy memorial windows. The Charlie Pope family bought
the picture window of Christ.
At this time, the church was
plastered; a new ceiling put in; new floors were given
by Pink and Clara Dwiggins; New pews were bought by
families of the church; new pulpit furniture, altar rail
and piano were purchased. Windows were $125 each and
pews $97.50 each, and the piano was $800.
At a dinner meeting in April 1961,
the Young Married Class elected a committee to make
plans for fellowship hall. In June 1961 a building
committee was elected by the church with Wade Apple and
Tom Lee as co-chairmen. Other members were: H. B.
Pearman, Sr., Wayne Jones, Vance Dwiggins, Luther Combs,
Hugh Beeson and W. E. Bailey. Cost of building was
$18,500 besides the labor given by members.
A second hand stove and
refrigerator were given by Mrs. Tom Beeson and Mrs.
Ellen Bailes.
Women Society by help of other
members carpeted the church. The Fish Fryers bought a
new stove and refrigerator for fellowship hall; carpeted
the Sunday School rooms; and bought new tables and
chairs for the class rooms.
How many souls have been
converted? We used to average around fifteen to twenty
per year. Have we put too much stress on tbings instead
of a new life in Christ? John Wesley insisted his
followers keep a diary for the benefit of the soul; to
help them to live Christ like; and to correct the
mistakes of the day.
A sermon I came across in this
research. "Christ I know, Paul I know, but who are you?
What have you done for Christ?"
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