Bethel Free Will Baptist Church

Stepping back in time, imagine Atlanta in the late 1880s. A disagreement brews within the Clifton’s Methodist Church. Not about hymns or potlucks, but about doctrine and church governance. This division leads to a new beginning, the birth of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church. The founders, seeking a central location for their families, initially gathered at the Stumptoe Community School. This school held a peculiar name, a reminder of a small stump that stood in the path of the school’s builders. In 1890, the fledgling church purchased land next to the school from Priscilla Murphy. For the sum of $80, an acre of land became the future home of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church. Just a year later, the church building committee was formed, marking a significant step in their journey. While early records are scarce, the minutes of the Ladies Aid Society offer a glimpse into this era. They suggest that the Bethel Free Will Baptist Church and its distinct doctrine thrived. The church’s first pastor, Wiley Stewart, guided the congregation until his passing in 1896. Reverend John L. Welch then stepped in, becoming a key figure in the Free Will Baptist movement. Welch played an essential role in establishing the National Association of Free Will Baptists. He also led Bethel Free Will Baptist Church to join the Cumberland Association of Free Will Christian Baptist, Church of Christ. This association would later simplify its name to the Cumberland Association of Free Will Baptists. By the turn of the 20th century, Bethel Free Will Baptist Church boasted over 100 members under the leadership of their third pastor, J.E. Hudgens. In the years that followed, several pastors served the church, often sharing their time with other congregations in the area. The church minutes from 1919 reveal a fascinating detail. W.B. Davenport preached at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church, as well as Shady Grove, Good Springs, and Oakwood Churches, rotating between them. Services at Bethel were held on the second Sunday of each month. Around 1910, George W. Fambrough, a deacon, and his wife Allie emerged as vital leaders within Bethel Free Will Baptist Church. Residing in the Neptune community, George served as postmaster and owned the General Store. This couple’s dedication carried the church financially through the Great Depression, remaining steadfast members until their deaths. Over time, the community surrounding the church adopted the name Bethel, influencing the name of the school as well. Naturally, the church officially became Bethel Free Will Baptist Church. In the 1940s, a significant change occurred. The congregation excavated a new basement beside the existing structure. The entire building was then lifted and moved to its current location. This relocation came at a cost of $500, a substantial sum at the time. Like many rural churches of that era, Bethel Free Will Baptist Church held monthly worship services, weekly Sunday school, and an annual revival. This revival commenced on the second Sunday of August and lasted one or two weeks, depending on the congregation’s enthusiasm. A milestone was reached in 1953 when Bethel Free Will Baptist Church hired Dan Merkh as their first full-time pastor. This decision proved pivotal as the church flourished during this decade. An “Official Board,” later renamed the General Board, was established, comprised of deacons, trustees, ministry leaders, and elected members. The board continues to this day. From the 1950s onwards, Bethel Free Will Baptist Church experienced ongoing growth under the guidance of leaders like Jack Williams, Robert Woodard, Jerry Milom, Terry Forrest, and many others. This growth extended not only to its membership but also to its facilities. Today, Bethel Free Will Baptist Church stands as a testament to its enduring legacy.