Bethel Presbyterian in McLeansville

Bethel Presbyterian Church is located on Knox Road in McLeansville* (Guilford County), NC. It was established in 1812, in the time of the Napoleonic Wars and around the time Greensboro was being established. Bethel Presbyterian has lived through much of our county's early history. The above photo only reveals a tiny portion of this church which, over the years, has been expanded and expanded. Also on the sprawling acreage is a cemetery filled with some of the early names of the area: Forbis, Dick, McLean, Clapp, Rankin, Wharton. The earliest grave dates to 1821 (more names and dates here); however, many stones can no longer be read. The property includes a session house, built in 1875 and behind the session house is an open air amphitheater. Typical of southern churches, a majestic oak marks a corner of the property.

At the time we published this photo, we could not find a church history or website online. It is our hope to learn more about Bethel Presbyterian. The church contrasts sharply with the ornateness of downtown Greensboro's First Presbyterian; however, it is equally beautiful in its simplicity and equally important to its members. We can only imagine the warm glow during the evening darkness of the Advent season. 

*This small community east of Greensboro was in the spotlight a few years ago as rock star Chris Daughtry is from McLeansville.

Comments

[Leif Hagen]

A lovely, smaller church with a beautiful autumn leaves display!

[Janis]

Actually, Leif, this is a LARGE church! Next time, I will ask someone to stand on the steps. (Hard to do when you are alone, driving down a country road and "not from around there").

Happy Sunday. You are one of our Sunday regulars. Now to find Dina over at Jerusalem Hills Daily Photo!

[Dina]

Bethel in Hebrew means the house of God. I think he would be happy in this white church.

Jan, for various reasons I don't have my blog totally searchable by google.
Can you just bookmark it for easy reference?
At Blogger/Blogspot blog we all have a Reading List of blogs that we follow and it shows when each one publishes a new post. Have you nothing like that?

I've been really busy lately with obligations and had to cut back on my daily blog visits. But eventually I get to the blog friends and catch up on what I've missed.
For example, I love your Moravian star photo.
Have a blessed Advent.

[Lowell]

The War of 1812 between the U.S. and Great Britain was going on then, too...and the USA almost lost that one. We certainly lost Washington, DC! And I'll bet that during the Civil War, Bethel Pres sided with the Rebels.

But, ol' Bethel hung in there through thick and thin. I thought it interesting that this building looks so little of what we think is traditional church architecture.

Have a great week!

[Louis la Vache]

One of us bloggers should start a meme about church buildings...
«Louis» is always fascinated by church architecture.

[Paul Rhodes]

Thanks so much for the fine picture our our beloved church! A member called to alert me to your web site and the photo. You are right about the warm glow within; in my couple of years as pastor, I have been so impressed and blessed with the warmth and depth (and fantastic cooking) of this congregation of around 100. The Spirit of Christ is much in evidence.

The sanctuary dates from just after the Civil War, and the Session House from a few years later. The Session House has been restored after some years of service as a shed for the cemetery, moved back to its original site, and is now a museum.

For those interested in more of the history, 2012 will be full of events as we celebrate our bicenntenial. We'll start off on January 1 at 11 am worship as Jerry Nix, the man who wrote the book on Bethel and who is the founder and curator of the museum, will speak.

We do have a web site that is gradually being added to and refined: http//:www.bethelpresby1812.org. We'd love to have you visit!