The Georgia Historical Society placed an historical marker in front of Bethany Baptist Church because of the rich history of the church and the contribution the community of this church have made to Morgan County, Georgia. Below is a picture of the marker.
The text on the marker reads:
On the occasion of its Bicentennial, Morgan County placed this
marker here to commemorate the community of
BETHANY
The community of Bethany, anchored by the Bethany Baptist Church, appears on maps after 1915. A church congregation was established before then at nearby Alliston´s Grove; however, tradition holds that they disbanded after the Civil War. In 1869, two acres of land were given from the Baldwin Estate to the Bethany Baptist Church Trustees, some of whom had previously been members of Alliston´s Grove. The deed for the land indicates that a school had already been established in this community, and in 1915, an educational survey of Morgan County indentifies the Bethany school as, “…highly improved and beautified…” (with) “…drives and walks, flowers and vines, pavilion and play houses… playgrounds, tennis, may pole, etc.
Unlike many rural communities, Bethany did not develop on a railroad line, but was situated on a main thoroughfare between Madison and Eatonton in Shepherd´s Militia District. Post office records from 1900 indicate the community was comprised of about 500 individuals. In 1897 at least five cotton gins existed in Shepherd´s District; additionally, a number of large dairies were established in this area when the dairy industry began to thrive in Morgan County.
The small community of Zachry, also located in Shepherd´s District, was located eight miles south of Bethany; it was the site of a small community of houses, a cotton gin, and a general store.
BECAUSE OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO TAKE PRIDE IN THIS COMMUNITY, BETHANY
IS RECOGNIZED AS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR COUNTY HISTORY
BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH
Before the Civil War, there was a Baptist Church in a grove beside the home of Mr. W. H. Huff. The church was built on land owned by Mr. Eugene Alliston and given the name, Alliston’s Grove Church. During the Civil War, all of the men of the South entered the war and many were killed or died of different diseases. Many women and children had to move away and live with relatives because their men were gone, and the church at Alliston’s Grove had to disband, to the grief and sadness of the few remaining members. Finally, the heads of four families decided to ask Mr. Alliston and the remaining members of the old church to give them the materials of the church, and that they would build a new church in the center of a more thickly settled section of the community, and that they would call the name of the new church, “BETHANY’. Alliston’s Grove agreed to this.
In the summer of 1867, the old church was torn down and pine sills, beams, studding, rafters and everything else that could be salvaged, was taken to the present site and the work was begun. This was the logical place for the church because there was a school near this place called “No Business Academy”. Names such as Harris, Baldwin, Wood, Moody and Massey were enrolled there. Bethany Baptist Church was soon finished, and in the summer of 1868 it was dedicated to the community. We do not know the names of the first members since the records were burned when Mr. Ben Harriss, Church Clerk, lost his house through fire in 1933.
Mr. Jack Wood, grandfather of Mr. Ed Wood, gave the land for the church grounds and cemetery. Later, Mr. John Hudson, of Alabama, gave one-half acre to be added to the cemetery for church members.
Mr. Benjamin Harriss greatly helped in the building and establishment of the church. He was a member of the Legislature when the capitol was in Milledgeville. His wife, Eliza, had six children and was confined to a wheelchair. They also reared six orphans.
Mr. Tom Moody was another founder of Bethany. He and his wife lived on the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone Smith lived until their death (on Bethany Church Road near the church). Mrs. Mary Ware, who taught school in the neighborhood after the war, said the Moody’s were buried in front of Mr. Crew’s old store (on Bethany Church Road).
Rev. I. M. Springer was chosen as the first pastor of Bethany. He served for a good number of years. Rev. E. H. Lawrence was Bethany’s second pastor. He came to preach by horse and buggy from the Walker community. He went through the Civil War as a soldier. Once he was struck by a bullet which imbedded itself in a Bible he was carrying in his breast pocket. Rev. Lawrence was followed by Dr. Crawford, father of Mrs. Grant Perry. After Dr. Crawford, there was Rev. Burruss. He was a school teacher as well as a preacher. He preached until he retired because of illness.
Just before the First World War, the church decided to add to its present facilities because of growth in attendance. Mrs. Ed Wood was appointed to collect funds for this purpose. Mr. Henry Harris gave $300 and Mr. Grant Perry gave $500. In 1921 the baptistery and Sunday School rooms were added in back of the auditorium. In 1922 the church was painted, rugs and pulpit chair was installed. Mrs. Lon Nolan donated the folding doors behind the pulpit. The front porch was built at this time also. Included at this time was the purchase of a piano from Mrs. John O’Flagerty, of Buckhead, with money won at the county Fair by Bethany’s display of farm and school products.
Mr. Henry Harris was one of Bethany’s first superintendents of the Sunday School. He was succeeded by Mr. Ed Woods, who held this office 25 years. Other superintendents have been J. L. Stone, A. M. Lancaster, Crowley Teagle, Charles Bearden, Kirby Biddy, Edward Stewart, C. P. Pittman, Raymond Gilbert, Ben Bruce and Frank Eaton. Our present pianist is Mary Bearden Eaton and our present organist is Joan Harper Gilbert. Rhonda Crew Garrison is our Church Treasurer and Gloria Herndon Crew is our Church Clerk.
Beginning around 1900, the following were preachers at Bethany: Rev. T. J. Swanson of Covington (14 years); Rev. Carl Minor (preached in the afternoon on Sunday); Rev. George Steed, Rev. Bailey, Rev. Stokes Walker of Monroe; Rev. Cox of Washington; Rev. J. W. Williams of Buckhead; Mr. Seaborn Rogers of Social Circle (7 years); Rev. Harry Mowell; Rev. Reeves of Gray; Rev. Waugh of Social Circle, and Mr. Tidwell.
After Mr. Tidwell, the church called Rev. George Dollar, a Canadian born preacher, who was also a fine teacher of the Word of God. The year was 1946. During his first year the church installed new electric lights. In his second year, the four Sunday School rooms were built in back of the three old ones. In Rev. Dollar’s third year Bethany became a full-time church. During this year the number of deacons was raised to seven. These men were: Mr. J. B. Harris, Charlie Atkinson, Percy Crew, T. J. Harwood, Charles Bearden, Edward Stewart, C. P. Pittman and Thomas Crew. Additional land was acquired from Dr. J. F. Gilbert in 1956 and his granddaughter, Roxie McIntire Lowry, in 1972.
After this Bethany called Rev. James Harwell, of Ashburn, GA. He was a fine Bible preacher and loved by all. He organized “Youth for Christ” club for teens. When he left, Rev. Hap Struthers came in to serve at Bethany. During his ministry the annex on the south side of the church was completed in 1955. Rev. Harwell then returned to Bethany and the new pastorium was completed in 1956.
Rev. Wilson Wahl was called as Bethany’s pastor after Rev. Harwell, and Rev. Bob Spencer was called in 1960. In 1966 the new addition, with rooms for the nursery, cradle roll and other classes were completed, also including two restrooms. In May of 1966, Rev. Jonathan Wolf, of Miami, FL, was called as pastor, and he conducted a weekly broadcast, “Faith Is The Victory”. Sunday School attendance exceeded 200. Several other pastors have been at Bethany, including Rev. Donald Wolf (Jonathan Wolf’s father), during whose ministry the Fellowship Hall was built and an organ added to the sanctuary); Rev. Kim Purdue, Rev. Ed Hamilton, Rev. Tom Duff, Rev. Michael Greene, and Rev. Peter Newell. Our most recent pastor was Rev. Michael Ventrello who was pastor from September 2011 to May 2019. Many improvements have been made to the church and fellowship hall, including central heat and air conditioning, newly padded pews, carpeting, new lighting, new choir chairs and remodeled restrooms. Also, a beautiful grand piano was given by Mrs. Mary Bearden’s family in her memory in 2000, which is located in the sanctuary. Bethany has children’s church every Sunday morning, Wednesday night prayer meetings, weekly morning Bible Study for the ladies, and Women’s Church Fellowship, as well as morning and evening services each Sunday.
Bethany is a mission-focused church, supporting some 18 missionaries all over the world, including Brazil, France, Kenya, Uganda, Peru, Canada, and missionaries serving in the United States.
Bethany Baptist Church of Madison, Georgia 