Early History of Bethel

Early History of Bethel


From "History of Bethel Presbyterian Church, McLeansville, NC"
written in 1972 by Jerry Summers Nix


THE HISTORY OF BETHEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Pioneers coming to Guilford County in 1750 found dense hardwood forests broken by areas of grassland inhabited by Indians. The land yielded to the settlers who were searching for comfort and freedom.

In 1771, after government and order had united the people, Guilford was formed. It was named in honor of Lord North, the Earl of Guilford, who was a Tory and prime minster to King George III.

By 1812, Guilford was becoming more settled and the communities began to take form. Cedar Creek, the first Presbyterian church near Gibsonville, was organized. During the year 1815, the church was moved and its name was changed to Bethel. In looking over the origin of Bethel we cannot forget that the word Bethel came from the Hebrew language meaning, "house of God."

THE EARLIEST SETTLERS

In the region known as the Palatinate, hatred and troubles over church lands caused large numbers of people to flee to America. Their homes were laid in waste, the battles of the French invasion on the Rhine, The Thirty Years War, and more occurred. The new world offered a place of freedom and security. The immigrants poured into Pennsylvania and then turned to the South. This movement occurred from about 1688 up to 1775. The archives of that time show more than 30,000 males over sixteen who had come over.

The first Presbyterian church in America was a Reformed church established by the Dutch of New Amsterdam in 1628. The Puritans rather suppressed Presbyterianism in 1,4ew England. The Virginians stood for Episcopacy. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and the colonies of the Seuth were more partial to Presbyterianism. The rich history of these early days in this territory must include the story of five denominations: Lutheran, Reformed, Moravian, Quaker, and Scotch-Irish Presbyterian. These denominations have left a rich heritage for all succeeding time.

Dr. W. W. Moore states that Presbyterians were taking up homes along the Haw and Eno rivers in 1738. Reverend Henry Patillo became pastor of Hawfields in 1765; Buffalo Church was organized in 1756; Alamance in 1762; and in 1764 Reverend David Caldwell arrived. The Presbyterian synods of New York and Philadelphia sent missionaries into this section in 1745 and 1758. The Nottingham Company of Pennsylvania bought a large tract for settlement along the waters of Buffalo and Reedy Fork. Although these events occurred many decades before Bethel was organized in 1812, it was these occurrences that helped form the beginning of our church that has survived through many hardships.

BUILDING CHURCHES IN WARTIME

During the War of 1812, a small but active group of religious seekers formed a new house of worship. "Cedar Creek" was thus established. Cedar Creek erected its first building on the site of what is known today as Gibsonville Cemetery on land donated by James and Moses Gibson. The membership was small with three ruling elders: John Smith, James Gibson, and Elisha Wharton. Samuel Paisley was the first pastor and served the church until 1816. The building was crude with no means of heating and the people came for miles on horseback through the coldest winter weather and sat shivering through the long sermon and considered it a privilege. This first church constructed was the third Presbyterian church built in Guilford County.

When Cedar Creek thought it would be wise to move the church from Gibsonville, Dr. David Caldwell, the pastor of Ala mance and Buffalo Churches, opposed this move because he thought this would weaken these churches. Although he was very old, he rode horseback to persuade the people to abandon this plan. Out of consideration for him, they decided to stay temporarily.

It is not known, for sure, how long services were held at Gibsonville. The time period could have consisted of about three years. It is known; however, that land was donated by Purnel Chance about 1815 near the community of McLeansville. Purnel Chance specified in his deed that the land be used for the erection of a "meeting house." There was no denomination definitely mentioned, so the first organization that took advantage of this offer could receive the land. The church accepted the land, moved, and changed the name from Cedar Creek to Bethel. This log "meeting house" was built in front of the site of the present church.

Later, a modest frame building was erected on the east side of the church, close to where the old session house now stands. The first session house for Bethel was built about the same time the third church edifice was built. Then disaster struck, fire swept through the session house destroying it and many valuable records from 1822-1832 thus causing more hardships for Bethel's congregation.

After the Civil War was over, the membership increased and it was decided to build a more suitable place for worship. The plans to build the new church were started in the year of 1866. The following two years were the busiest with the gathering of materials and labor from the members who could spare time. In 1868 John Doggett was elect ed Chairman of the Building Committee. The following is a list of subscribers to the fund for the new building which was taken from an actual document:

"We the undersigned agree to pay J. A. McLean, John Doggett, Wm. P. Wharton, R. C. Wilson, H. C. Dick, the sums annexed to our names, for the purpose of building a new house of worship at Bethel to be paid in currency, labor, hauling, or lumber at the foIlowing prices, viz. lumber $1.50 per hundred feet, board measure, days hauling with four horse wagon $4.00 per day, with three horse wagon $3.00 per day, with two horse wagon $2.00 per day. Days work $1.00 per day. Shingles $5.00 per thousand. Lumber to be furnished at the church by the last of April, 1867."

Dec. 1st, 1866

John Doggett, Wm. P. Wharton, R. C. Rankin, Robert Wilson, J. A. McLean, Stanford Woodford, H. B. Stratford, W. R. Forbis, J. W. Forbis, Persis Rankin, Willis Sikes, Derinda Summers, Polly Woodford, John McLean, G. W. Wharton, J. F. Hughes, A. P. Rankin, A. C. & J. Denny, Thomas Rankin, J. C. Rankin, T. A. Rankin, T. A. Gray, Barbara Wilson, Wm. Wilson, Jane S. Gilmer, R. A. Stratford, Henry Gilmer, R. C. Dick, Rufus Smith, W. 0. Stratford, John Rankin, M. S. Whittington, W. N. Sikes, J. M. Montgomery, Wm. A. Paisley, A. B. Tate, J. M. Smith, W. R. Story, Jas. M. McLean, E. Denny, R. H. Rankin, J. W. Forbis, Thomas H. Whittington, Phebe Huffines, Wm. Gray, J. R. Gilmer, Allen Gilmer (of color), Peggy Gray, B. Stratford, Henry Cobb (of color), Green Wharton (of color), Jopie Montgomery, J. P. Montgomery, James Rankin, Fannie Watson, F. D. Whittington.

During the early colonial period, many churches did not have a full time pastor. Ministers traveled from church to church. Each church had a minister only once a month if he had to officiate in three or four churches and the elders of the church would conduct the other services. Several churches became grouped together by having only one minster. Bethel was grouped with Greensboro First Presbyterian Church from 1824-1845, then grouped with Buffalo from 1847-1905, then grouped with Alamance and Springwood from 1905-1907, grouped with Alamance from 1907-1912, and then with Springwood from 1913-1951.




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