Hello everyone, The Caroline Progress has an excellent article on Bethel Baptist Church in their April 5, 2000 edition. Here are some excerpts from it: Bethel Baptist Church was organized in 1800 under the leadership of Andrew Broaddus I, pastor of Burrus Church, now known as Carmel Baptist Church. Bethel's beginnings stem from the campaign of John Leland. Early pastors inclued Andrew Broaddus I, Spilley Woolfolk, and Lawrence Battaile. In 1841, members of Bethel reorganized with a new constitution reviving the church roll. Originally the church was located 4 or 5 miles south of the present location. In 1858, a new meeting house was constructed at what was then called the Roads, now known as Paige. George Tyler donated 2.25 acres and S.E.H. Campbell donatated 1.9 acres for the site. According to oral tradition, the interior bricks for the new house were made across the road from the Church and the exterior bricks were delivered from England by way of Port Royal. The Civil War visited Bethel more than once between 1861 and 1865....William Pegram's artillery battalion, which had just seen duty at Chancellorsville, camped at Bethel between May 15 and June 5, 1863.....Major General Ambrose Burnside and his Ninth Federal Army Corps encamped in the vicinity of the church and he established headquarters at the church on May 22, 1864. Generals Grant, Meade, and their staff stopped at the church briefly and then rode on to spend the night at the Tyler home. The next day the Federal Army moved south to the North Anna River. A series of special programs are planned in celebration of Bethel's 200th anniversary. The first is scheduled on Sunday, April 30, 2000, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The second program will have resident historian Mr. Herbert Collins are guest speaker talking about the families of Bethel Baptist Church. This is scheduled for July 9 at noon. The third program is called "Calling Everyone Home" and will feature Mr. Amos Clary, son of a former Bethel pastor. It will be Sept. 17, 2000. For more information contact Frank Pickett at 804.448.2661 or Pastor Rick Love at 540.972.7215.