Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church

keystone. At the midpoint of the tower is a second round-arched void which contains Finally, the tower-is capped with a stately open frame steeple, complete with a function- ing bell. Restrained brick buttresses divide the sides of the church into four bays each. with a rounded stone lintel with a keystone, 'similar to the adornment of the front door These windows are probably the crowning touch of the church, for they are of truly has sagged a bit, and a few pieces have been lost. The church is covered by a metal Bethel Cemetery, founded in 1836, the burying ground for the church's founders and CONDITION UNALTERED gable roof.

7DESCRIPTION the church's exterior is the fine single tower which rises from the center bay of Iron grillwork covers several voids in the foundation which allow a certain degree and tower window.As might be expected, some of the sills have deteriorated somewhat. church opens onto a farmed field.Across the highway and just west of the church is magnificent stained leaded glass, far more ornate than those usually found in the country of course, the stained glass windows produce a breathtaking effect on the interior. of rusticated ashlar sandstone, which rises to a height of two stones above ground. many of its subsequent members.

a paneled double door set in a round arch and capped with a rounded lintel with a XEXCELLENT CHECK ONE Every bay contains a tall round-arched window, set on a sandstone sill and capped leaded-stained glass.-The-church's semicircular date stone is set-above this window.

Romanesque Revival building which is continuing.to function in its_current adaptive.use farmer Hugh McCoy's barn, although later they moved to the home of "Uncle Bill" Johnson establishment of a cemetery. A small frame building was built at a cost of $780. This (now State Route 146), adjacent to the cemetery- By the 1870s, the congregation had outgrown its first home and the present brick T.I. Moore, E. A. Robins, and R. I. Shepler. A remodeling project in 1898 cost $2,500, and was directed by Shepler, John H. Robins, B. C. Johnson, A. P.

Fishel and ministers were ordained from the Bethel congregation, one woman served as a missionary finally decided in 1960 to close the Bethel Church, as the congregation was not large three local parishioners formed the Bethel Community Church, Inc., and purchased the 1700-1799 1500-1599 INVENTION COMMERCE LAW ART SIGNIFICANCE ENGINEERING POLITICS/GOVERNMENT ECONOMICS ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC SCULPTURE PERIOD SCIENCE X1800-1899 BUILDER/ARCHITECT THEATER TRANSPORTATION PHILOSOPHY AGRICULTURE LITERATURE INDUSTRY MILITARY _COMMUNICATIONS EDUCATION focal point which serves to strengthen and preserve often-disregarded ties to the cultural MUSIC religious, and architectural heritage of southern Guernsey County.

-1600-1699 -EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT This.fine ecclesiastical edifice derives its primary significance from its J.M.Scott.At this time the church was rededicated by Dr.David H.Moore.Sixteen Valley was the last township in Guernsey County tobe established,having been X.RELIGION for their meetings.In 1836 John Robins (who had emigrated from the Isle of Guernsey in l807) donated land to the congregation for the erection of the church and the as a community center. -1400-1499 -1900- architecture which sets it apart from most of the other-rural churches in this area.