Our History


 

  

 

Out of the Past and Into the Future

The lovely historic church here at Bethel is intertwined with the earliest history of the Methodist movement in the Southern New Jersey area. According to the "Bulletin of the Gloucester County Historical Society," the people of Bethel have been serving God in this parish since 1770. Before that time, this was part of a 200 mile circuit from Camden to Cape May - covered by itinerant preachers - which took four weeks and thirty stops to complete.

This is the third building to be used by the Methodists here. The first was used until 1840, when, while still in good condition, it was rolled on skids by a team of horses to its new location at the old Samuel Evans farm down the road, before Delsea Drive was a paved highway.

The second building was built in 1840 at a cost of $990.27. It was used until it was destroyed by fire from lightning.

The present building was built in 1882, and the cost of construction and furnishings had risen to a total of $7,600!

It remains today as a church home for people of many surrounding areas and walks of life.

We hope you'll come visit with us, and decide to make our home your home, as we look forward continuing to serve God and the world in which we live for many years to come.