(Daviess County - Washington, Indiana) - Bethel Methodist Church 

MC 305

Archives of DePauw University

and Indiana United Methodism

Washington - Bethel Methodist Church

Size: .20 linear feet

Restrictions: None

Accession: Unknown

Historical Background

It is commonly accepted that from 1815-1840, the Bethel church met in a little log meeting house, this being the first Methodist church in Daviess County. A Presbyterian minister preached for the group until 1814, when the first Methodist circuit rider traveled to this neighborhood. The Missouri Conference was held at the Bethel church in 1817. Years later, land was secured about two miles south of the first church, providing for a more central location, and here construction of a second church was completed in 1840.Bethel became one of the largest camp meeting sights in the area, and thousands of people attended the new church which was renamed Centenary Bethel. The church organized its first Sunday school in 1866, and by 1880 the name Centenary had been dropped. The Epworth League of Bethel Church was organized in 1896, and in 1911 the third and present building for worship was completed.

Collection Statement

The collection consists of Sunday school records, Standard Bearers, Kings Herald, W.S.C.S. charter members, and W.S.C.S. minutes.

MC 305 

Folder 1          Bethel Sunday School Records, 1896-97, 1938-40 

            2          Bethel Standard Bearers, 1936-43

            3          Bethel Kings Herald

            4          W.S.C.S. Charter Members, 1940

            5          W.S.C.S. Minutes, 1951-52; 1953-56; 1960-61; 1963-65

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