In early 1880, a group of believers decided they needed a place to join with others of like mind to come together and share a closer relationship with the lord. This group assembled together in what was called a “brush arbor” in an area that was later to become the Town of Snead, Alabama. This original location was about 450 yards northeast of the area which is now the intersection of U. S. Highway 278 and Alabama Highway 75 (just north of the end of Baker Drive). Meetings in the brush arbor led the believers to realize the need to plan for a more permanent place of worship. The group made plans to construct a 28 ft. by 28 ft. log building to meet in and worship in relative comfort.
There were seventeen determined individuals that are credited with the establishment of The Baptist Church of Christ at Bethel. They were Jimmy Holmes, John M. Holmes, William Leonard Holmes, Sarah Holmes, Robin Holmes, Martha Holmes, Pryor Holmes, Jeannie Miller, Carolyn Scruggs, Mr. and Mrs. John Cox, Sadie Scruggs, Mrs. Fannie Webb, W. M. Teague, H. H. Boyd, W. B. Sanders, and J. N. Stewart. This group of foresighted believers is due a great deal of thanks for their faith and what it has meant in the lives of so many people that were to follow in their footsteps.
As the membership grew, the need for a larger, better and more permanent location for a meeting place was realized. On July 25, 1885, a building committee was formed to accomplish such a goal. As this committee continued to search and make plans, one of the neighbors in the community, R. M. Holmes, gave to the people of Bethel a three acre tract of land as a permanent location for the church. This land near the banks of the Warrior River was approximately one mile southeast of the original site and is still the location of the present facilities.
In 1893, a ‘handsome’ wood frame building of what was called hand-dressed, hand-hewed sill, and tongue-and-groove lumber was constructed on site. That building with some enlargement and improvement during the period, held the worship services for Bethel until June 2, 1968. Growing pains and the need for a more modern facility were evident and the congregation under leadership of Pastor, Jimmy Wadsworth and the direction of builder Delon ‘Popeye’ Webb, a major building program was undertaken. Almost all of the work was done by members of the congregation and members of the community. As the old building was torn down and the site cleared for the new building, services were held in the Snead Masonic (Clarence Lodge) Hall building.
On December 8, 1968, services were held for the first time in the new facility. This windowless climate controlled, brick building was one of the most modern facilities for worship around this area at that time. Through the effort of the congregation, the building was completely paid off in a short period of twenty-one months and dedication was held on September 27, 1970. In 1972, another dynamic leader, Bro. Drennen Alldredge was called as pastor of Bethel and he remained in that capacity for more than twenty-five years. Of special note during this period of time was the youth revival held during 1973. Led by Bro. Drennen, Bro. Mike Nichols as youth leader, and different ministers each night, a revival that affected the entire area was held. Because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the openness of the people, very few sermons had a chance to be delivered. People from all over Blount, Etowah, Cullman and surrounding counties attended the services which were too large to even be held in the new facility. On the church records, there were ninety-nine baptisms, numerous rededications, and untold spiritual kick-starts during this extended period. Through the years many improvements were made to the facilities including major additions during 1976 and 1993.
On April 27, 1997, a new day started for Bethel with the first day of service of a new pastor, Bric Latham. Bric helped bring another charge of growth and spiritual enthusiasm to Bethel. Led by Bric, the person who did not ‘fit’ any of the proposed requirements to be the pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, the church again felt growing pains and by the beginning of 1999, discussions were held to decide in what direction to proceed. After a time of much serious prayer and thought, the decision was made to make a major renovation and addition, rather than build an entirely new facility.
The entire project decided on involved three sections which were all to be worked on at the same time! The project involved a second floor to the fellowship hall, along with a major overhaul of the first floor of the main building into sanctuary space, removing the classrooms in the main building and enlarging the entire sanctuary. With much local help, volunteers from many different areas (including “Heaven’s Hammers”), hard work by most of the members, ‘direction from Jack Freeman, and most importantly, the help and direction of the Lord, the project was completed and the Open House and Dedication was held on April 30, 2000. As an example of God’s many blessings on Bethel, the entire project was completed without the necessity of borrowing any money!
With increased attendance, growing pains and needs were recognized. Almost as soon as the last renovation was completed, Sunday School attendance and Youth participation found the facilities ‘bursting at the seams’. Again, as with any important decision, the Lord’s guidance was sought, and an ambitious plan was implemented to construct a Family Life Center to serve the congregation’s needs. This new facility was planned to be completed in several steps, with Step 1 being the completion of the exterior of the building. During 2004, this first part of the project was finished with the intention of doing other steps of construction in the future.
During the year 2004, Sunday School space grew crowded again, the youth group needed a place to expand and do their activities, and office space became a premium. Discussions within the congregation and leadership led to a decision to continue with construction on the interior (Steps 2 and 3), so that the facility could be used immediately and in October 2004, this was undertaken.
As with everything that follows God’s plans and directions, it seems very fitting that the opening of the Family Life Center would coincide with the Quasquicentennial Celebration (125 years) of Bethel Baptist Church. The facilities and programs that are available now and those planned for the near future here at Bethel will provide the community with many wonderful opportunities. As a way of Serving God and Serving Others, the leadership and congregation of Bethel feel that God’s work is being moved forward. We know that the Lord has been pleased through the years with the steadfastness and faith of the people at Bethel, and as long as the vision continues, the effort will continue to be blessed.
