The Bethel United Methodist Church was a product of a joint revival held in the community in 1883 by the Methodist and United Brethren denominations, located southeast of Carthage. Blevins, United Brethren, and an Elder Stone, Methodist. The meetings were held at Hardscrabble School. There were many converts during that meeting and lots of shouting. Shortly after the evangelistic meeting, a United
Brethren Church structure, called Salem, was erected about 1½ miles east of the Bethel site. The Bethel building was constructed in 1884 on a tract donated by a Mr. John Hill and Lark Blevins were the chief carpenters, while much of the work was done by the men of the neighborhood. Joe Ralston and Charley Richey hauled lumber to the site. The rostrum and pulpit were fashioned by Elder Stone. Materials were purchased with donations from the heads of the families in the congregation including: M. Johnson, Joe Ralston, George Knight, Philip Knight, William Brummett, a Mr. Ingle, a Mr. Milnes, and a Mr. Augustus. Additional money was raised at ice cream and strawberry festivals conducted by younger members of the congregation. Lizzie Brummett supplied the name for the church and the building was formally dedicated in 1885. A parsonage eventually was added about ½ mile to the west. In 1887, the parsonage was lifted from its foundation by a severe wind, and part of the building was scattered over a nearby pasture. Brother Entwistle, the pastor at that time, who was blown from the structure, was found in the pasture singing, “Glory, Hallelujah!” The parsonage was replaced in 1888,
A.D. Frye was the first regular pastor of the congregation, while W.O. Hamel, who served from 1886-1891, was the first presiding elder. During the initial organizational period, M.I. Parker was Sunday School Superintendent and W.B. Johnson was his assistant. Philo Parker, Sr. was the song leader and Laura Brummet Baker was organist. They served in 1886. The Rev I. Entwistler, mentioned in the report of the storm, served the church in 1887-1888 as pastor. The first wedding in the building was that of Miss Lizzie Knight and Milton Johnson, while the first funeral service conducted there was that of Mrs. Effie Johnson Burris, Feb 21, 1901. It seems we did not have a regular pastor in 1894, until finally the Rev. Mr. Claypool was sent to us. In 1895, the presiding elder was E. Hunt, and our pastor was A. Burris. In 1896, W.T. Ferguson was pastor. He served again in 1899. K. D. Burnam in 1900, C. Frye assigned in 1901, The Rev. Richmond in 1903, Walter E. Brown in 1904, The Rev. Bower in 1905, The Rev. M. Hunt in 1907-08, the Rev. True in 1908-09, G. Foster in 1909-10, C. O. Crockett, 1915-16, the Rev. Henson, 1917, The Rev. Harold Hillard, 1918, The Rev. Duffendach, 1925-26. Other pastors who followed included the Rev. Glenn Smith, the Rev. Aronholt, the Rev. Paul Fountain, the Rev. Frank McColl, the Rev. Gray, the Rev. W.G. Clinton, the Rev. W.L. Nebelsick, the Rev. Robert H. Bodine (mid 1940s), The Rev. Fred Schmidtke, The Rev. Francis Carr, The Rev. Harold Mills, Sr., The Rev. Harold Mills, Jr., The Rev. Jack Couch, the Rev. Boyd Haddock, The Rev. Peters, The Rev. Evans, The Rev. Gilbert, The Rev. J. H. DeVries, the Rev. Ralph LaForge, The Rev. Robert L. Mobley, the Rev. LaFollette, the Rev. Earl Knowles, the Rev. Alfred Blair, The Rev. E. A. Ñeimeyer, The Rev. H.L. Thompson, The Rev. Don Simmons, The Rev. Johnny Blackwell, the Rev. Randy Gilmore, the Rev. Stan Lowery, the Rev. Dan Crawford. The district was the Rev M. Christy Letting. Then these pastors followed: the Rev. David Brane, The Rev. Charles Robinson, the Rev. Robert “Bob” Simon, and the Rev. Tommy Freeman. The District Superintendent was the Rev. Wesley Hirsch. Under the dircection of District Superintendent, Rev Sandy Ninindahl, Pastor, the Rev. Crystal Wicks (2006-2018) was appointed. Under District Superintendert, Rev Mark Stateler, we had the Rev. Kim Hoover (2018-19) and the Rev. Brandon Haag (2019-2020), and Pastor Chuck Kralik (2020-2023). Under District Superintendent Rev Alice Fowler, Karensue Hensley attended local pastor licensing school and took the pulpit on July 1st, 2023 after serving for years as a lay speaker/pulpit supply at many other UMC churches including Bethel. Updating history, there have been many additions and improvements made since the building was first dedicated. Included are a basement for classrooms and fellowship meetings, a new rostrum and chancel railings, hardwood floors, new pulpit, iron railings for the entrance steps, central air and heat, well, modern kitchen and bathroom, aisle carpeting, both Christian and American flags, new piano, and cushioned the pews. During these years many new members were added to the church rolls. In 2009 a ramp was built on the east side to make it handicap accessible. A new roof was also put on. The bathroom was updated and made handicap accessible as well. A new wood sign was put on the road and the church. Additionally a new heating and air conditioning unit was installed with ceiling fans. The church was also rewired to support the installation. A wooden cross was made from old pews to hang in front of the altar. This was done in preparation of celebrating the church’s 125th Birthday. There was a big celebration held that day. In 2019, memorial funds were used to replace the wood sign by the road to a carved stone with Bethel’s name etched into it. Additionally, a storm flooded the basement. In 2023, Memorial funds were used to replace the front door into a single wood door. During these years, many new members have been added to the church rolls bringing new vision and inspiration to the work of God’s kingdom. Many friends have given generously of their time and substance, and it is due to the untiring efforts and cooperation of all that Bethel has maintained its place in the religious life of the community. Our church has meant much to us during these years and we are thankful to our heavenly Father for the privilege of worshiping at Bethel United Methodist Church.
