Snellville, GA

Historical Addendum

(Extracts from the Book:  Bethany Baptist Church 1848-1998)

April 29, 1848:  Under the leadership of Rev. David Cook and Rev. James R. George, 15 people from Rockbridge Baptist Church in the Centerville Community, GA came together to constitute Bethany Baptist Church as a cooperating Southern Baptist Convention church.  Seven acres of land were donated by a Mr. Britt for the new church location.  Founding Members were:  Fielder Maddox, Ford Mason, Willard P. Mason, Henry M. Wells, Jonathon Duck, John P. Maddox, James McDaniel, William H. McDaniel, George B. Hudson, Hugh W. Mills, Sarah Maddox, Nicey Mason, Elizabeth I. (Mason) King, Mary Wells, Susan (Minor) Juhan, Elvina McDaniel, Maliste F. McDaniel, and Sarah E. Hudson.

The first Pastor was Rev. James R. George.

Pastors of Bethany Baptist Church:

 

 

 

Church Building Programs

• The present day Youth Ministries Building was originally built in 1914 when it was the 3^rd Worship Center building built by the congregation. It was renovated and updated in 1960 with new carpet and pews.  The old pews were sold to the Shiloh Baptist Church congregation.
• The present Worship Center was completed in 1972 under the leadership of Pastor Eugene Bowman.  It was renovated and updated with a parlor in the mid 1990’s under the leadership of Pastor Dennis Nunn.
• The present day Education building was completed in 1958 under the leadership of Pastor John Adams.  The second part was completed in 1966.

Bethany Cemetery

The cemetery located on the church property is as old as the church having been begun in 1848.  A list of all of the people in the cemetery can be found in the book, Bethany Baptist Church 1848-1998.  An irrevocable trust was established in January 1988 by the Deacons of the church, the interest being used for the ongoing upkeep of the cemetery.