ABOUT US
HISTORY
Bethel United Methodist Church was established in 1871 during the Reconstruction period, after the Civil War. The Holy Spot between highway 217 and secondary road 63 was given to the members of the community of Smoaks, SC for the development of Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, currently Bethel United Methodist Church (BUMC). The grandfather of Mr. Abraham Davis donated the land to the Church. The purpose of this donation was for community members to come together and worship God and to give Him praise for all His many blessings. Presumably, members had the birthplace of Jesus Christ in mind when they named the church Bethel, the “Holy Spot,” or house of GOD. Genesis 28: 16-22
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Bethel was previously known as the Springtown-Bethel Charge. In 1979, Bethel became known as the Bethel-Red Bank Charge. Bethel has operated under Orangeburg and Walterboro districts and several presiding elders, currently referred to as district superintendents. Previous Walterboro District Superintendent includes: Rev. E. Herbert Franklin, Sr., Rev. Dr. Ernest Etheridge, Rev. Thomas Pearson, Jr. and presently, Rev. Joseph A. McDonald is the District Superintendent for the Walterboro District. Bethel’s leadership was under several ministers. Ministers included: Rev. Williams, Rev. Ozzie Steward, Rev. Marcus, Rev. Thomas Green, Rev. Paul Washington, Rev. Joseph Mitchell, Rev. Eugene McCants, Rev. Lucius Cave, Rev. Benjamin Reid, Rev. Peter Singletary, Rev. Roosevelt Geddis, Rev. Joanne W. Brown, Rev. Anthony Whay, Rev. Jimmy Washington, and Rev. Walter Harley.
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Since its early inception, Bethel underwent several renovations. The church was originally a board building but was remodeled during the 1970s to a brick building with a fellowship hall, pastor study, and a verandah. On September 14, 2014, Bethel was re-built on 15 acres of land to include a beautiful modern brick building, sound system, sanctuary, fellowship hall, classrooms, large kitchen, pastor and secretary office, men, and women's bathrooms with multi stalls, and storage areas. Bethel will celebrate its 150th year Anniversary in 2021. Hallelujah!
Some early Bethel U.M. Church officers included: Secretaries-Kerry Linder, Blondell Jones, Redell S. Fields, Lillie Simmons; other early officers included: Julia Ann Brown, George Hodges, Dennis Hodges, Henry Linder, Willie Jones, James Minus, Archie Williams.
Acknowledgments:
Many thanks to Bro. Clyde Hodges, Sr., Sis. Catherine Jenkins, Sis. Rosalee Linder, Bro. James Mixon, and Sis. Ruth A. Hodges for providing information about the history of Bethel United Methodist Church.
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BUMC Book - TBA