History - Old Bethel Baptist Church

Bethel Church was first listed as a member of the Piedmont Baptist Association as early as 1845. When it was first organized, the church was located in Appling County. Later, after the county lines changed in the 1870's, the church was located in Wayne County.

The former state senator, John Bennett, Sr., donated three acres of land to the church on February 15, 1861. In the early years, services were held only on the second Sunday of each month.

In those days, the church had a strict code of ethics. Violators, exhibiting such behaviors as non-attendance, drinking, use of profanity, dancing, adultery, or dealing with intoxicating wines were dismissed from the fellowship.

In 1901, Bethel Church started a cemetery at the church. Several years later, the church organized a Sunday School and expanded services to twice a month. In July, 1906, the building committee constructed a new church facility. In 1910, they built a porch, and two years later, bannisters were added around the porch.

In 1916, a new church was built with much controversy. Some of the members would not move to the new church. The Piedmont Baptist Association offered a compromise. The membership agreed to resolve the difficult situation by having two churches. The old church was named Old Bethel and the new church, New Bethel.

On a cold, wintry Sunday, February 13, 1944, the old church was destroyed by fire. Old Bethel Church members constructed a modern brick building at the same location. The first service was held in the new Old Bethel Baptist Church on Sunday, April 29, 1945.

Today, the church is still very active in the community.