Bethel has a long rich history in the north Mecklenburg area. Documents show that in its early years "like thinking Christians met under the big tree for fellowship and worship". In 1828 Bethel was chartered. Since Lake Norman was built, the church has grown tremendously.
1828
Bethel organized.
Jan 8, 1829
First verified meeting of Bethel Congregation.
July 1829
First official minister accepted call to Bethel Thomas Espy.
Sept, 1829
First election of elders Patrick Johnston, Robert Potts, Alexander Brevard Jetton, Charles Mitchell.
Nov, 1829
First ordination of elders by the Rev. Dr. Robinson and first baptisms Thomas Espy Potts and Thomas Espy Godsey.
Summer 1830
First building erected - work done by the congregation
1835
18 African American infants baptized into the church.
1835
23 were baptized between 1835 1864.
Aug 29, 1835
First known burial in Bethel cemetery Hannah E. Knox. (Tombstone lists date as August 29, 1815, but family history supplies the date of 1835.
Sept 5, 1835
Second burial in cemetery Elizabeth Jetton. (Earlier histories list her as the first).
May 10, 1844
Money was raised to erect wrought iron gate in cemetery wall.
1855
Remodeling of first church building when the pulpit and the seats were lowered and the doors to the right and left of the pulpit were closed
1856
First deacons elected and ordained S.M. Withers and John R. Knox.
1878
First manse built two miles southwest of the church building.
1879 -1885
The Rev. L.K. Glasgow, minister of Bethel, ran Bethel Academy.
1890
Bethel transferred from Concord Presbytery to Mecklenburg Presbytery.
July - Dec, 1895
Present building erected. Work was done by the congregation.
1896
Church pulpit was built and installed; it is still in use today. The women of the church raised and sold chickens to raise the money.
Jan 17, 1896
The Rev. J.M. Grier delivered the first sermon in the present building.
Fall 1896
Present building dedicated.
Jan 7, 1906
The Rev. J.M. Grier dissolved his pastorate with Bethel. His was the longest pastorate (13 years) at this date.
1907
Bethel sent first missionary to Korea Mrs. Bess Knox Wilson.
1927
Selima Johnson died. She was baptized into the church in 1853 and was the last surviving African American.
1928
Small frame building built for men's Sunday School class (moved from grounds in 1939).
Jan 1939
The hut was built. It was originally called the community house.
1949
Two story Sunday School building joined the rear of the church building.
July 20, 1952
The Rev. John Edwin Wayland, Jr. was ordained. He began the longest pastorate in Bethel history (47 years).
Feb 2-7, 1953
New pews were installed in the Sanctuary.
Feb 8, 1953
First service held with new pews.
Nov 21, 1954
Congregation voted to build a new entrance and erect a steeple.
Jan 31, 1955
Work began on construction of a vestibule and a steeple. Heart pine from the neighborhood was used to surround the steel in the steeple.
1955
The Rev. Wayland built flower stands used at the front of the Sanctuary.
July 5, 1959
Session approved the use of A Presbyterian Hymnal.
Aug 16, 1959
First hymn sung from A Presbyterian Hymnal -- #349 Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.
1967
The hut was moved 100 East of its original placement to make room for an educational building and fellowship hall.
1968
Gail Knox (Mrs. Jim Knox) became choir director.
May 19, 1968
Educational building was dedicated.
June 1968
Boy Scout Troop 72 was chartered.
1972
First church pictorial directory.
1974
Christian Education committee formed.
1977
Youth club introduced; it is now called Wednesday Night at Bethel.
1977 - 1978
Congregation met in fellowship hall while Sanctuary was enlarged.
1978-1984
Ann Knox employed as first church secretary.
Mar 26, 1978
Easter Sunday: First sermon in enlarged Sanctuary.
1979
Carlita Hunter joined staff as first Director of Christian Education.
1982
Participation in 2 Cent Hunger offering began.
1982
House and land across from Bethel were purchased.
Sept. 4, 1983
Congregation voted to change Elders and Deacons to a rotating system. Women were approved as officers.
Dec 4,1983
First female Elder elected Carolyn Nelson.
1984-1997
Gail S. Knox (Mrs. Tom Knox) was employed as church secretary.
1986
Senior Citizens organized the Ramblers.
Apr 27, 1986
Pipe organ dedicated.
1987
Church built in Ghana; hand carved a shanty royal seat given in gratitude.
1987
Property adjacent to cemetery and north of church purchased for cemetery expansion and future family life center construction.
Feb. 28, 1987
Cub Scout Pack 72 begun.
1988
Bethel Became a part of the newly created Presbyterian Church USA; with the joining of the northern and southern branches of the Presbyterian churches.
1988
Share-A-Home project begun using property purchased in 1982. Debbie Whitt became director of the program.
1988-1989
Bill Heard; study intern under Rev. Wayland.
1990
First children's sermon by Rev. Nathan Wheeler
July 29, 1990
The Rev. Nathan Wheeler was ordained as Associate Pastor.
1991
Sherri Lynn Carpenter bookkeeper.
1991
Sherri Wheeler started preschool program; now called Bethel Weekday
1991
The hut was moved a 3rd time to build a drive to the new offices
Sept 29, 1991
Ground breaking on the Celeste McShane Gallent Family Life Center.
1991-1993
Eleanor Chamness served as Director of Christian Education.
Dec 13, 1992
Dedication of the Celeste McShane Gallent Family Life Center.
1994-1996
Mominda Eslick served as bookkeeper.
Nov 20, 1994
Dedication of the carillon dedicated to the Glory of God and to the honor of the Rev. John Edwin Wayland Jr.
1996
Katie Ingles became bookkeeper and was with Bethel until 2002.
July 1996
The Rev. Nathan Wheeler ended his Associate Pastorate with Bethel.
Oct 1996
Robert Kennedy called as the Youth Music Director.
Dec. 31, 1996
Rev. John Edwin Wayland, Jr retires.
1997
Shan Todd begins as church secretary.
Jan
1997-1998
The Rev. Neil M. McMillan served as Interim Senior Pastor.
Dec-1997
Gail Sides Knox retired after 29 years as Choir Director. Robert Kennedy called as Director of Music.
1997-1998
Dr. Jim Cockerham served as interim associate pastor.
1998-1999
Jim Sample served as interim associate pastor.
1998
Rev. Rob Hinman called as Senior Pastor.
1998-2001
Michael Northrup served as Youth Director
2000
Cemetery Tombstone information transcribed for church history and web site by Eagle Scout William Dobbins.
Jan 2000
James Keegan called as Associate Pastor for Congregational Care
Feb 2000
Dallas Bradel called as Associate Pastor for Christian Education.
2001
Jeff Starnes begins as Youth Director
2001
Maribeth Burke begins as part time receptionist.
Oct 2001-
Jan 2002
Bethel built house for Sonny Burgess under the direction of Habitat for Humanity.
Jan 5, 2002
Saturday night worship service begins at 5:30 pm; call NOW, Night of Worship
Mar 2002
Tom Davis begins as Interim Bookkeeper.
June 2002
Vacation Bible School - Market Place
June 2002
Youth Mission Trip - Birmingham, Alabama
July 2002
Mexico Mission Trip
June 2003
Vacation Bible School - Mission Team from Prince of Peace
Habitat House Project
July 2003
Youth Misson Trip to Atlanta
July 2003
Mexico Mission Trip
March 2004
Lowell Dotson begins as interum Music Director
Tom Davis - passed away
May 2004
Tiz Callahan begins as interum Organist
June 2004
Vacation Bile School - Market Place
June 2004
Youth Mission Trip to Ohio
July 2004
Mexico Mission Trip
August 2004
Linda Gebelein begins as Organist
May 2005
Adam Lowder begins as Music Director
Debie Falls begins as Bookkeeper
June-July 2005
Jason Edwards Africa Mission Trip
July 2005
Youth WOW Jam
July 2005
Youth Fun in the Son, Ga.
July-August 2005
Mexico Mission Trip
September 2005
Rob Hinman's last Sunday
September 2005
Leesa Bell starts as new organist
September 2005
Bethel Bar-B-Que ($17K)
September 2005
Youth Sunday
October 2005
Youth Lock-In
October 2005
Fall Festival
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