Bethel-Forder Bridge UMC

09/12/2025

Bethel-Forder Bridge UMC has struggled since the pandemic. Some did not return after the pandemic, some left because we did not leave the United Methodist denomination, some left because of other things, most Sundays we don't have any young people, most of us are getting older and last year 3 members passed away. We are down to 9-11 people in attendance at worship service from 6-7 families. We do not have a pastor right now. The hard decision was made to vote whether to close or not. This Sunday members will be voting before our worship service. If you formerly attended Bethel and would like to attend one last time, this Sunday September 14, may be your last chance. You are Welcome to join us for our Worship Service at 10:30 am.

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09/05/2025

Today's history lesson: The ground where the church currently sits was purchased from Geo and Mary C. Forder. The date of the transaction was December 15, 1893. The witnesses were Geo and Mary Forder, B.B. Jackson and Elizabeth J. Jackson.
T.T. Armstrong, Adam P. Beadle, Wm. S. Schooley, Darius Hopkins, and Michael S. Ashton all pitched in to buy the land for the whopping sum of $30.00. The deed is dated February 16, 1894.

09/04/2025

After attending the "No Compromise" dinner theatre at the Crane Twp. Cecil Fire house and the Crane Twp. Bicentennial celebration I started researching our church history. According to a page in the book "Paulding County Ohio pictorial history volume 2", and a hand written history I have that was written by a late church member back in 1974, the church was first known as Bethel Methodist Episcopal. Services were held in an old log schoolhouse on the hill beside the Forder Bridge that is now known as the Forder Cemetery. It is believed that people had to ford the Maumee River to get there. The old log school house was moved to the Tom Forder farm and a new school was built on the west side of the church in an orchard. It doesn't say what kind of orchard. According to my research, in the 1800's sugar orchards (sugar maple trees) for maple syrup were more common than fruit orchards. In the late 1800's farms had small orchards for family use. So, it could be either. That's all for now, I'll share more of my research at another time.

08/23/2025

Part of a flip phone was found in the cemetery today. If it is yours or you know who it belongs to, let me know.

06/22/2025

It seems my post has disappeared so I will post it again. We had a productive work day today. Got some painting done and got the beam on the ark for the swings replaced, we added some length to add another swing. One swing was missing some hardware and will be hung up when we get what is needed.

06/21/2025

We are not having an ice cream social this year but we have ice cream left from Antwerp Days. We are at the church right now for a work day. Stop by if you would like to purchase a gallon or two of homemade ice cream. $15.00 dollars a gallon. We have 2 vanilla, 2 chocolate, and 7 strawberry left.

06/18/2025

06/17/2025

Would you rather never miss a sunday worship service or never miss a daily personal bible devotion time?

06/15/2025

Happy Father's Day to all dads and soon to be dads!

06/04/2025

Would you rather see an angel or hear God's voice?