On Sept. 3, Bethel Baptist Church will celebrate its 75th anniversary of service in Jamestown. In May of 1942, a small group of devoted Christians met together in Fluvanna to start what would eventually become Bethel Baptist Church. The church was organized on June 15, 1942, and incorporated with 41 charter members of Sept. 1, 1942 as Bethel Baptist Church.

Pastor Gordon Houser served as the first pastor of this newly organized group of believers from May 24, 1942 until April, 1944. In July of 1944, the church purchased a former church building at 111 South Main St. (currently the Hubert Funeral Home) in Jamestown for $7,000. The members paid $1,000 in cash and took out a mortgage for $6,000. The monthly mortgage payments were usually met by members filling up offering booklets and special wooden banks fashioned in the shape of the church. Contributions were mostly in pennies. On one occasion the payment weighed 12 pounds!

In 1945, Pastor Lloyd Morris came to Bethel and during his tenure the group purchased a home for a parsonage at 42 Linwood Ave. for $5,000. They worked tirelessly to prepare and fix it up for their new pastor.

Several years later, as the group grew under a new pastor, Josiah Rhoads, the church building became overcrowded and two properties on Allen Street were purchased in August of 1960. One house was used for Sunday school classrooms and the pastor’s study. The other building was demolished to provide space for a parking lot. Continued growth of the congregation necessitated the need for two morning services.

In February of 1963, the church called Pastor Alvin Ross to serve at Bethel. It was at this time that Associate Pastor Reid Minich left the church to begin serving as a missionary under ABWE in Bangladesh. The church took on one-half of his support. It was also during the ministry of Pastor Ross that the church became affiliated with the Bethany Fellowship and General Association of Regular Baptist Churches.

In May of 1965, the church purchased a four acre lot at 200 Hunt Road for a new church facility (a $275,000 project). The next April, a groundbreaking and dedication ceremony for the new Hunt Road property was held. In July of 1967, the church sold both the South Main and Allen street properties. The new church facility on Hunt Road was dedicated on Oct.1, 1967. In February of 1973, an additional 17 acres of land adjacent to the church was purchased.

In 1974, Pastor Milo Thompson became the sixth pastor and under his leadership, Bethel Baptist Christian Academy was started in September of 1976 with 14 students and two teachers from the church. This fall marks the 41st year of our academy offering a Christ-centered education to families in our community. In recent years, the academy has expanded to include international students who come to study our English language and culture. Many of these students come from homes and countries where they know little or nothing about the Bible and God. Several of them have continued their college education in the United States after their time at BBCA.

As the church grew, additional church building projects included the construction of an educational wing in 1984 and in 1999, construction included a family life center, gymnasium and athletic field.

Over the years, Bethel has seen several of its members enter full-time missionary work. They are Reid Minich, Bangladesh; Ruth Wood, Duane and Natalie Wilkins, The Gambia; Becky Lunde; England; Paul and Diane Osborn, Durbin, South Africa; Rachael Mohl, Children’s Bible Fellowship and Jennifer McLeod, Child Evangelism Fellowship.

Bethel has had 10 senior pastors and 11 associate pastors during its 75 year history of ministry to the Jamestown community. Pastor Jim Read has been serving as senior oastor since Feb. 1, 2004. Pastor Derrick Hicks joined the staff as Associate Pastor of Family Ministries in the fall of 2016.

Currently, our longest consecutively tenured members of almost 67 years are Dick Sparling and Eleanor Curry, who both joined Bethel in November, 1950.

The Sunday morning celebration on September 3 will include a Power Point presentation of pictures from our 75-year history, testimonies from our youngest and oldest members, as well as music by our children and adult choirs. Pastor Paul Osborn, Minister of Music from 1981-89, will be our guest speaker and soloist for the Sunday celebration. The day’s activities will conclude with a catered lunch and a time of fellowship.

The Bethel church family has much to celebrate from our past … but we are also embracing our future and the opportunities we will have to continue serving our Lord and community in the years ahead.