Bethel Baptist Church is a church built on prayer. Alson Reed, who served in World War II, wrote a letter home asking his parents, Wiley and Lessie, to pray for him. As a result, prayer meetings began in the Reed home for those who had family serving in the war and for those who were unable to attend church because they were serving their country. Bethel began as a mission of Berea Baptist Church in 1944. O.B. Mylum, pastor of Berea Baptist Church, conducted the prayer meetings. For the next twelve months, there was a prayer service held at the Wiley Reeds’ house, and many neighbors and friends joined the prayer services. Several people were saved, and Rev. Mylum baptized them into the fellowship of the Berea Baptist Church. The group began to grow and sensed a need to build a church. Wiley Reed offered a plot of land adjoining Scaffold Cane Road to be used upon which a building would be erected so the prayer meetings could continue. Rev. Mylum drew up plans, and Mr. Reed donated a half-acre lot. There was a donation of $100 from Rev. Floyd French, and an additional $14.80 was spent on wiring and $6.20 on carpentry. Many people donated money, time, and labor, and a 20 x 30 feet building was built to house their congregation. In 1946, the building was completed and given the name of Bethel Baptist Church. Rev. Merrill Lainhart was chosen as the first pastor, and Rev. Mylum stepped aside to give the new church under the leadership of their new pastor a free hand in the Lord’s work there. Bethel Baptist Church was officially organized in 1949 after a revival led by Rev. Mylum. At that time, there were 21 charter members.
Charter members of Bethel Baptist Church:
Mr Wiley Reed, Mrs. Wiley (lessie) Reed, Mr. Sam Reed, Mrs. (Carrie) Reed, Mr. Leonard Reed, Mr. Joe Vernon Reed, Mr. Johnnie Reed, Mrs. Johnnie (Emma Reed), Mr. Alson Reed. Mrs. Marie Reed, Mr. Herbert Reed, Mrs. Herbert (Lucille) Reed, Mr. Joe Reed St., Mrs. Vernie Reed Bratcher, Mrs. Elsie Reed Whittemore, Mrs. Richard Cain, Mr. Miley T. Cain, Mrs. Ann Day, Mr. Ernest McQuire, Mrs. Ernest (Agnes) McQuire, and Mrs. Charley (Rosie) Reed.
Pastors of Bethel Baptist Church:
Rev. Merrill Lainhart was the first pastor at Bethel. He served until 1953. Homer Lamb then became pastor and served until 1954 when Buram Byrd was called. Floyd Long served as pastor from 1955-57. Herbert Berry was pastor from 1957-59. From 1959-61 Charlie Lunsford served as pastor. Lester Arnold pastored from 1961-63. Bethel called H.K. Estes in 1963 and he served until 1968 when Rev. O.B. Mylum was called as pastor. He served until 1974 when he was killed in a traffic accident. Earl VanWinkle served as pastor until 1978 when Jack Frost was called. He served until 1991. Randy J. McPheron became pastor in 1991 and served through the end of December 1999. Kenny Davis, Jr was called as pastor and served from 2000-2024.
Bethel continued to grow and serve after its humble beginning. In 1959, $400 was borrowed to construct Sunday School rooms. In 1972, Bethel joined the Tates Creek Baptist Association. The church also bought a house and one acre of land from Lyman Johnson for $11,000. In 1973, the church voted to build a new building. The building was completed, and on April 7, 1974, the congregation moved to the current site. The dedication service was held in September of that year. On November 13, 1974, after seeing his dream of a new church building come to pass, Rev. O.B. Mylum was tragically taken from us in a traffic accident. The church had a note-burning ceremony to commemorate the paying off of the church debt on April 6, 1976. As the church continued to be blessed, additional space was needed. An educational wing was completed in June of 1979 to accommodate the growth.
In 1983, the church purchased property adjacent to the existing facility. In December of 1991, Randy J. McPheron was called to pastor the church. He brought many changes to the congregation at Bethel. Under his leadership, the church experienced rapid growth as loving the Lord and reaching the lost for salvation became the primary focus. To better support their new pastor and his growing family, the church moved to build a parsonage on the adjacent property. The parsonage was completed in 1992 with a dedication service in July. Of course, growth means added needs for the congregation, and additional parking had to be added on part of the new property in 1993. That same year, Bethel was recognized by the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for Outstanding Evangelical Achievement. Since evangelism is the surest way to grow a church, Bethel approved a $250,000 budget for expansion in June 1995.
The expansion to the church would double the size of the sanctuary and nearly double the educational area. A groundbreaking service was held, and the expansion began. In less than a year, the expansion was complete. As a testimony to God’s blessing, not a single service was canceled during the construction. Then, during the Annual Homecoming services on April 14, 1996, the dedication service of the new building was held. God’s blessings continued for the church. Even after the expansion of the building, the sanctuary was completely full the first Sunday after dedication.
In 1997, the Lord once again moved the church to prepare for further growth. Nine acres of land near the church on Scaffold Cane Road were purchased from Peggy Broaddus for further expansion. The church held two Sunday Schools and two worship services during the 1998 Sunday School year and returned to one service for the 1999 Sunday School year. 1998 was also a record year for baptisms at Bethel. Forty-six people were baptized, the most in any year in the history of the church.
In 1999, under the leadership of Pastor McPheron, Bethel celebrated its 50th anniversary as an organized church. The theme was “Celebrating Jesus… 50 Years and Still Growing by Faith.” The celebration began with the spring revival and homecoming. Finally, an old-fashioned tent service, note-burning ceremony, and celebration were held on the new property.
In 2000, Kenny Davis Jr. was called as pastor. Under his leadership, Bethel continued to grow in many ways. In 2006, Bethel received recognition as a top per capita giving church for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Pastor Davis emphasized being a mission-minded church and supporting many missionaries in the field. The church became actively involved with the Tates Creek Disaster Relief Team to help support those who had experienced disastrous events in their state. Bro. Kenny himself and other members of the church participated in multiple volunteer mission trips to Botswana, Africa.
Under Pastor Davis’s leadership, the church paid off the debt on the property and held a note-burning ceremony with a picnic and special music. The church was given an opportunity to purchase an adjoining lot for $28,000. A building program ensued. First, a paved road to the property was constructed. Pastor Kenny Davis then led the church to build a Family Life Center. When Pastor Kenny Davis left the church after 24 years of ministry, Bethel Baptist was completely debt-free, and God supplied ample funds to reach people for Christ, as well as a vibrant missions program around the world.
Celebrating 75 years! 1949-2024
God has been faithful to this congregation through the years. He continues to bless Bethel Baptist Church. Praise the Lord for His goodness and for all He has done and for all He will do. Bethel held a celebration of its 75th Anniversary with special services at the church and the Family Life Center.
Bethel Baptist Church 