Церковь Бетел в Джорджии удостоена исторической памятной таблички за 144-летнюю архитектуру

Bethel United Methodist Church honored with historic property marker Published 12:42 pm Thursday, August 13, 2026 CAIRO — The John Lee of Nansemond Chapter of the National Society Colonial Dames Seventeenth Century marked its 15th historic property in Thomas and Grady counties during a ceremony on Aug. 9. The property recognized Sunday was Bethel United Methodist Church, originally known as Bethel Methodist Church. Members of the John Lee of Nansemond Chapter participating in the ceremony were President Jinanne Parrish, Vice President Kathy Mills, Chaplain Anita Ward, Past President and Secretary Mary Margaret Quiggle, Claire Eberle and Marilyn Joyner. The chapter was also honored to welcome two special guests: Elaine Thames, Georgia Society vice president, and Telia Cunningham Banks, past Georgia Society secretary. Bethel United Methodist Church reflects the tradition of rural Methodist life in Georgia, beginning as a circuit church. Tommy Hopkins presented the history of Bethel, which spans 144 years. The church was organized in 1882 in lower Decatur County near Reno, Georgia. Three and a half acres of land were given to the Methodists by Josh Merritt. The deed was signed Nov. 23, 1885, by George A. Wight, B.H. Powell, N.M. Griffin, T.H. Herring, I.J. Williams, William Powell, and Casper Walker. The property included land for the church and cemetery, as well as an additional tract where timber now grows. The church is located about 11 miles southwest of Cairo at the crossroads of Lower Hawthorne Trail and Gainey Road. The church building was constructed in 1885, and remarkably, the original structure remains in use today. Its hand-hewn timber sills are made from single logs extending from the front of the building to the back and continue to support the structure, serving as a reminder of the craftsmanship and dedication of Bethel’s founders. The pulpit, altar rail, pulpit furniture, pews and two light fixtures are also original to the church. The architecture is known as 19th-century Southern rural church architecture, and Bethel is considered a distinguished example of the style. In its early years, the church had two front doors and two side aisles, with long center pews divided down the middle by a lath. Women entered through the right door and sat on the right side of the sanctuary, while men entered through the left door and sat on the left side. That practice ended in 1944 when the sanctuary was remodeled, giving the church a single front door and one center aisle. The cemetery predates the church building and was established before the property deed was drawn. Jonathan Merritt, who died Nov. 22, 1882, was the first person buried in the cemetery. The first marriage performed at the church was that of William A. Bell and Amalea L. Herring in 1884. The ceremony recognized the faith and dedication of Bethel’s founders and the church’s continued role in the community. Following the historic property marking service, the Dames and guests were treated to a dinner on the grounds hosted by the Bethel congregation.