| |
| There were two services
each month and a business meeting on the 4th Saturday. Discipline
was very strict. If a member was reported to have been walking
against Church rules, such as drinking whiskey, cursing, fussing among
themselves, going to dances, playing the fiddle or doing anything
against the Holy Spirit's leadership, they were asked to come before the
Church and make acknowledgements to get right with God and the Church.
On Sunday, there were no night services, only one morning service, as
transportation was difficult. Walking, and horses or mules pulling
a wagon or buggy were the only way for people to get to Church. |
| |
| The first pastor of Bethany
Baptist Church was J.H. (Hill) Harbison. He served from 1893 to
1896. He was also pastor of Ryan's Creek Church, located at Brushy
Pond. Preachers were able to pastor more than one Church,
sometimes preaching at a different Church each Sunday of the month.
Pay was small due to the economy and they were sometimes paid in farm
produce. Most preachers traveled by horseback, by buggy or on
foot. Their greatest pay was in seeing souls saved and added to
the Church. There was no Church budget or records kept of giving,
but members were generous with what they had and ministered many times
to their neighbors who had misfortune. |
| |
| The following are minutes
from some business meetings in 1919 and 1920: |
| |
On Saturday, April 26, 1919,
we the Church of Christ at Bethany met in the service of the Lord, preaching by Nola
Gilliland after which the Church went into conference.
Visiting members were invited to sit with us.
Minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted.
By a move, and a second, that the Church dismiss the whiskey making matter, and
release the committee, in regards to Brother ______'s getting drunk charge.
A move was made that the Church make some arrangements for an organ at the
Church.
(Old fashioned pump organ)
|
Rev. J.A. Drummonds, Pastor
J.M. Davis, C.C. |
May 24th, 1919, we have a record of the
first Decoration Day at Bethany led by J.H. Harbison, preaching, and
by J.P. Drummond speaking in memory for the ones in the Cemetery.
Flowers were placed on the graves.
|
| J.M. David, C.C. |
Revival - July 16, 1920. Services
were in the day at 11:00, pastors were Rev. Sim Calvert, J.P.
Drummond, Charley Hembree and Nola Gilliland. At the end of the
week, seven people were baptized into full fellowship at Campbell's
Fork on Ryan's Creek and Bro. J.L. Phillips was liberated to preach
the gospel.
|
| 1900- 1920 -
1924 |
| During the
early years of 1920, Bethany Baptist Church Community was visited by the
Church of Christ preachers, preaching that you had to obey the Gospel,
and be baptized to be saved. They preached in the schoolhouse,
mostly on Sunday afternoons. Ten or twelve families from Bethany
Church left the Baptist faith and were excluded from the Bethany Church
Fellowship, around 50 people in all. |
| |
| 1928 - 1931 |
| At the close of
a Revival, during the pastorate of George F. Campbell, the Church voted
to build a new Church across the road from the first Church. Since the
Depression was just starting, everyone went to work to sacrifice and
furnish as much work and materials as possible. The committee to
get the work underway was Charley Harbison, W.E. (Willie) Smith, W.E.
Freemen, J.A. Perdue, M.E. Harbison and J.D. Burns with all the Church
helping. Trees were cut and carried to the sawmill. W.E.
(Willie) Smith assumed the responsibility of Overseer and the work
progressed. When this Church was finished in 1930 Bro. G.F.
Campbell resigned as Pastor and Bro. Whit Harbison became the new
Pastor. |
| |
| 1932 - 1950 |
| On March 19,
1932, three new Deacons were ordained. They were Bro. Alton
Perdue, Bro. W.E. Freeman and Bro. George Burrow. |
| |
| In 1935, Ben
McCain was the Pastor. Services were held once a month on the 3rd
Sunday and there were no weekly prayer meetings. There were 83
members, W.C. Harbison was the Sunday School Superintendent, George
Burrow was the Church clerk and Mauery Miller was the Treasurer.
The church's monthly budget was made up of $70.00 to the Pastor, $10.00
to the revival helper, $75.00 on the Church debt, $167.02 for local
expenses and $23.00 to missions. |
| |
| On December 2,
1946, Cullman Baptist Association, having grown so large, with 93
Churches cooperating, decided to form two associations and have the East
and West Cullman Associations. 47 Churches formed the West Cullman
Association leaving 46 in the East Association. Willis Campbell,
another ministerial student from Howard College, was the Pastor for 1
year. He was the son of G.F. and Martha Campbell, some of our
pioneer members. Bro. Campbell was Pastor more than once. He
and his family worked hard for the Lord through Bethany and led many
young people to the Lord (writer included - Pernie Smith).
Bethany's first letter to the West Cullman Association shows we gained
six members during the year of 1947, making the total membership 147.
Total gifts for that year were $943.95, with $120.00 given to missions. |
| |
| In 1948, S.J.
Calvert was Pastor with 171 members (64 resident), the Church's state
paper was in the budget and $160.00 was given to missions. |
| |
| In the business
meeting on October 16, 1949, the Deacons nominated four men for new
Deacons. They were Herman Williams, Jack Harbison, Deltus
Willoughby and Elver Kilgo. The Church accepted these men and the
ordination service was December 11, 1949. Ben McCain did the
examination of candidates, the scripture was I Timothy 3, read by Bro.
Alton. Rev. S.J. Calvert presented the Church Articles of Faith
and all four candidates answered yes. Bro. Clyde Sharpton
presented the sermon (Acts 6:7 and Col. 4:17), "Filled to Fulfill".
The ordination prayer was read by S.J. Calvert. Laying on of Hands:
Bro. S.J. Calvert, Bro Clyde Sharpton, Bro. Bert Goodwin, Deacon W.E.
Smith |
| |
| 1950 - 1954 |
| While Rev. S.J.
Calvert was Pastor, the Church grew. Twelve members were added to
the Church, ten by confession of faith and two by letter. Sunday
School enrollment was 94, Church Training Union was 54, WMU was 28 and
VBS was 34. |
| |
| In 1953, Luther
Weeks became the Pastor and the Church moved forward and began to talk
of new ways to increase our gifts to all causes, including a building
fund for a new Church. The first cotton patch was planted on May
1, 1954 on Avorn Bailey's farm as he was not using his allotment.
On June 4, J.C. Kilgo, Millard Harbison, Noen Harbison and Wesley
Harbison plowed it and on June 24, all the Church met to hoe it. A.E. Smith and Aruel Calvert plowed it again. Singing school was
taught in July by Christine Wright. Mr. Cliff Calvert taught
singing school each summer for several years. |
| |
| 1954 - 1969 |
| The last cotton
was picked October 3, 1954. The Church ordained two new Deacons on
February 9, 1955, Hoyt Perdue and J.C. Kilgo. In February,
1955, plans were discussed for a new brick building. Pastor M.L.
Weeks gave the first $10.00 on the building fund and J.C. Kilgo gave the
second $10.00 (from the love offering the Church had given him for
building fires). The building committee was J.A. Perdue, J.C.
Kilgo and Millard Harbison. Another cotton patch was planted on
Avorn Bailey's farm for the building fund. The men of the Church
planted and plowed and all the Church picked it. Also, each family
was asked to raise and sell a pig or calf and put the money on the
building fund. All cotton was tithed to the Cooperative Program
and Associational Missions. |
| |
| On November 9,
1955, Bethany Church voted to build a new brick Church. All were
asked to contact Church members for pledges and money. In all, six
cotton crops were grown. Mr. Floyd Campbell (Member of the Church
of Christ) gave Bethany enough land across the road to start a new
cemetery. Finally, on July 26, 1959, the Church approved plans
presented by the building committee. This committee was Hoyt
Perdue, Ordery Freeman, Lum Harbison, Edwin Harbison, and Aruel Calvert.
On August 1, Hoyt Perdue dug the basement and work began on the new
Church. Pastor M.L. Weeks resigned and the Church called William
Tucker on October 4, 1959. |
| |
| In the winter
of 1960, the Church lost several members to death, including Deacon W.E.
Smith and Deacon Lum Harbison. Deacon W.E. Freeman lost his wife,
whose funeral was held in the basement of the new Church. On
January 10, 1960, the first service was held in the Church basement.
Bro. Earion, a preacher from Howard College, spoke. The oldest
person present was W.E. Freeman and the youngest was Tim Willoughby. |
| |
| On September
24, 1961, D.A. Calvert and Nolan Harbison were ordained as Deacons. |
| |
| In June, 1963,
Bethany had a new piano delivered with the WMU getting honors! |
| |
| Pastor Bill
Tucker resigned and the Church called E.H. Adams on December 16, 1963. |
| |
| The Church
bought a house trailer for our pastor in November 1965. |
|
| Pastor Adams
resigned in February 1966, due to bad health. On April 10, 1966,
Hershel Brown was called as Interim Pastor. The Church called him
in August as Pastor but he would not accept. On October 23, 1966,
Simeon Harbison was called as Pastor. He resigned on September 11,
1968. On September 29, 1968, John Kilgo came as a Deacon from
North Gardendale Baptist Church and was voted as an active Deacon on
March 5, 1969. |
| |
| 1969 - 1976 |
| On February 5,
1969, the Church called Tony Powers as our first fulltime Pastor.
He was a student at Samford University and the Church paid him $40.00 a
week as salary. On October 1, 1969, the Church voted to accept the
choir as part of the Church program. Bro. Tony resigned February,
22, 1970. |
| |
| On April 15,
1970, the Church called Lawton Ogletree as Interim Pastor. On
September 30, 1970, the Church called him fulltime. |
| |
| On September 2,
1970, an R.A. cabin was started. On September 12, 1970, the Church
started an Organ march for the Church to purchase a new organ. In
November, 1970, the organ was purchased for $4,250.00 and dedicated to
the memory of Mrs. Clyrene Hendon Lay on May 8, 1971. |
| |
| On January 6,
1971, the Church voted to remodel the stage for the choir to have more
room. |
| |
| On August 29,
1971, three more Deacons were ordained. Harold Thompson, Eugene
Harris and Bill Goddard. |
| |
| On February 9,
1972, the Church voted to call Kelley Shuttlesworth as Music Director.
He was the first paid Music Director. At this time, Nina Perdue
was designated as the Church Pianist. |
| |
| On May 17,
1972, the Church voted to buy the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt Florence for
our Pastorium. The papers were signed on June 2, 1972. |
| |
| In 1973, the
Church, under the direction of Bro. Kelley, purchased a baby grand
piano, debt free. |
| |
| On October 2,
1974, the Church voted to accept the recommendation of kitchen committee
to purchase kitchen equipment. The dishwasher and countertop cost
$2,500.00 and the stove cost $701.00. |
| |
| In October,
1975, Rev. O.L. Ogletree resigned as Pastor. Louie Goodwin was
made an active Deacon in 1975. |
| |
| On February 6,
1976, Ron Summer was called as Pastor. While he was here, he and
several Church members went to the Holy Land. |
| |
| On April, 25,
1976, Bethany ordained three new Deacons. Jerry Trucks, Ron Smith
and Howard McCoy. |
| |
| 1977 - 1993 |
| In March, 1977,
the Church called Tilford Junkins as Pastor. The Church grew and
accomplished much under his leadership. Ann Trucks became the
first paid Church secretary. Under Bro. Junkins leadership, the
office bookkeeping system, giving records was put into place. |
| |
| A lake ministry
called the Singing Galileans was started during this time. This
involved our Youth and Young adults to devote each Saturday night to
minister to those on the lake. A pontoon boat, with a Lighted
Cross (built by James (Woody) Woods), carried them across the lake as
they sang praises to the Lord and Bro. Junkins would share Jesus
with everyone. |
| |
| The educational
building of the Church was added during this time, with a special Sunday
designated as the "Pot of Gold" Sunday, where over $25,000.00 was
raised. The choir loft was enlarged, with the addition of padded
choir chairs. The entire Church was painted and remodeled and the
pews were cushioned! Bill Whiten gave the Church a new van and the
parking lot was paved. Bro. Junkins resigned on September 28,
1980 due to bad health. |
| |
| On January 25,
1981, Mike Glenn was called as Pastor. He resigned in April, 1982.
The Baptist Young Women group was organized under the direction of Donna
(Perdue) Harris during this year. |
| |
| The Church
voted to call Paul Wood as Interim Pastor. In January 1983, the
Church called William Franks as Pastor. In February , 1983, the
Church voted to build a new pastorium. King Coal deeded 4-6 acres
of land to Bethany for the new pastorium. The Franks moved in
January, 1984. On June 17, 1984, the Church ordained three new
Deacons, Brandon Harbison, Jerry Quattlebaum and Glenn Edwards. |
| |
| Several mission
trips were taken with the leadership of James and Mildred Wood. |
| |
| The Bethany
Manna, our Church newsletter, was started by Margaret Wood and Ann
Franks in 1983. |
| |
| In May, 1985,
Jimmy Randolph was accepted into the Church as an ordained Deacon.
On August 7, 1985, the Church voted to start a new youth building (Gym).
The work began in November, 1985. This was the fullfillment of a
dream by member and youth worker, Wayne Cole. In August, 1986,
Bill Franks resigned as the Pastor. |
| |
| On September 7,
1986, the Church called Rev. Robert Whitlock as the new Pastor.
The Church, under his guidance, administered a county wide Church
basketball league. Each Saturday night for 10 weeks, the Gym was
packed with fans from the community to cheer their team on to victory.
The Bethany team won first place in their first tournament. |
| |
| In December
1989, the Church voted to start a new Church ministry presented by Mrs.
Sandra Lannom called "Jesus Helping Hand". |
| |
| On December 31,
1989, Kelley Shuttlesworth resigned as Music Director. On August
8, 1990, the Church called Mr. Glenn Edwards as our new Music Director. |
| |
| The Church
continued to move forward with the Children's Church Ministry. In
November, 1990, the Church voted to buy a new van. Eugene and Kevin
Harris directed the purchase by receiving pledges from different Church
members to pay the entire balance. |
| |
| In April, 1991,
the Church voted to accept new by-laws and constitution. On August
4, 1991, Bro. Robert Whitlock resigned. |
| |
| On September 1,
1991, the Church called Dr. Elmer Nielson as interim Pastor. |
| |
| On September
29, 1991, Rev. Milt Hill was called as our new Pastor. |
| |
| In October,
1991, the second part of the cemetery across the road was given to the
Church by Billy Williams and cleared by Brent and Jack Harbison.
The Baptist Women sponsored a garden in this part of the cemetery as a
"Memorial" or "Honor" garden. |
| |
| On April 1,
1992, a new organization for senior citizens began at the Church.
It was called "Leather and Lace". The leader was Alyce Freeman and
their theme was "Inward, Outward and Upward". |
| |
| In April, 1992,
Bro. Milt appointed a long range planning committee to study how we
shall grow spiritually and physically. |
| |
| The first
annual July 4 picnic was held during 1992. Our tithes and
offerings for 1992 were $131,549.00. We gave $20,976.00 to
missions. Membership was 345, VBS had an enrollment of 197. |
| |
| Today, we look
back at people from all walks of life that have graced God's house at
Bethany Baptist Church. Some were visitors, some came and stayed.
Some were born and reared here in our community, some have roots that go
back to the beginning of Bethany Baptist. But all were welcome and
loved. |
| |
| Excitement,
happiness, tragedy, sorrow; All these have been here as in other
places. We learn, we sorrow, we laugh and we praise God as in
the very beginning of our Church: |
| |
|
To God be the Glory, Great things he
hath done! |
| |
| Matthew
16:18 "The gates of hell
shall not prevail against His Church. May our highest ambition be
the winning of souls to the Savior" |
| |
| May the grace
of God and the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit abide with us all, now and forevermore!
Amen |
