Our History @ Bethel

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Work at Queens-Chicora and half to Bethel. In 1937, he was called as full time pastor. Between 1937 and 1950, many improvements were made to the church property: a hot air furnace was installed; the sanctuary was completely renovated; the pulpit platform was extended with a choir platform to the rear; the original wooden ceiling was covered with Celotex; a Hammond electric organ was installed; and a front portico with four columns were added. A two-story addition was added to the rear of the church to house additional Sunday School rooms, a ladies parlor, a pastor's study, and facilities for recreation and fellowship.

World War II began in December, 1941, and this is reflected in the records of the church. The Women of the Church engaged in Red Cross activities; a service flag was made by a member of the church, Christmas packages were sent to each young man from the church; another member presented the church with a framed Roll of Honor, listing the name of each church member serving his country. Fifty-two young men from Bethel served in the War, with only one casualty, Ernest L. Flanagan.

Rev. David Coblentz became our fourteenth pastor in 1951. During his tenure, new pews were installed, a communion table and flower stands were added to the church. He instituted a regular choir and acted as choir director. A church bulletin was begun by Rev. Coblentz. He resigned in 1961 to accept a position in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Rev. Kenneth I. Newman was installed April 15, 1962 as our fifteenth pastor. This was his first pastorate. He was instrumental in the building of our church tennis court. Rev. Newman resigned effective December 31, 1966 to accept another post.

In 1967, a call was sent to Rev. James Moss. Prior to his tenure here at Bethel, Rev. Moss was a missionary in Brazil. In September, 1967, Sunday night services were begun jointly with Scherer Memorial Church. During 1971, the old manse was moved and construction began on a new manse in the same location. Prior to the completion of this building project, Rev. Moss accepted a call to pastor a church in Manning, South Carolina.

In 1972, Rev. Vernon West became our seventeenth pastor. During his years at Bethel, improvements to the church building and grounds including installation of air-conditioning in the sanctuary, paved driveways, shrubbery around the church and educational building. On July 1, 1973, Bethel Church voted unanimously to withdraw from the Presbyterian Church US and to join a new holding Presbytery called the Calvary Presbytery, which included other South Carolina churches of like faith, creed, and purpose in fulfilling the primary mission given by our Lord, Jesus Christ. This division became known as the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) which has grown substantially since its inception in 1973. In June, 1985, we hired our first intern pastor, Grover Timms. Since that time, we continued that tradition until our last intern, Bob Bates was called as our assistant pastor in 1993, and then as associate pastor in November, 1994. Bob resigned in September, 1994 to organize a PCA church in Meridian, Mississippi.

In the summer of 1986, with the retirement of Rev. West, our present pastor, Rev. John A. Gess accepted our call. He and his family came here from Narrows, Virginia. In 1991, with the Session's recommendation, Bethel began its most ambitious building project, a 6000 square foot Family Life Center. The Center was dedicated in September, 1991. Also, during 1991, renovations to the sanctuary were completed. Additional seating in the balcony was provided with the removal of the partitions and the addition of pews in the rear balcony.

In February, 1990, Church Advisory Committees were formed to oversee and make recommendations for various activities of the church including evangelism, finance, worship, fellowship, Christian education, and youth. An informal dinner club was formed among the members of Bethel for dining and fellowship in the homes of interested members. Members of Bethel organized their first mission
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