HISTORY OF THE NEW BETHLEHEM CONGREGATION
“Who has despised the day of small things?”
The congregation of New Bethlehem owes its origin largely to a small Sabbath school organized and carried on chiefly by Mr. A. P. Morrow with the aid of several teachers. Some of the teachers are still remembered, Benjamin Shilito was one. Mrs. Dr. Thompson was another. James M. Wallace, Joseph Gillmore and Mary Wallace were also teachers in this school.
The first Sabbath school was started about the year 1855 or 56 and was first gathered together in the old log school house on Rarden Run, on the flat below and a little west of the present school house. The old school was afterward moved to Bocktown and is now doing service as a blacksmith shop.
The Sabbath school was carried on mainly, if not entirely, in the summer for several years before preaching service was begun. The new school house was built in 1857 and it was after that preaching service was began, as we never had preaching in the old log house. (Allow me to day aside that old log school house ought to have been preserved in its place.) We could write a book about the boys and girls that took their first lessons there. Some of them became preachers, some lawyers, some doctors.
It was in the new school house about 1859 or 60 that preaching began to be held on Sabbath evenings by members of Frankfort Presbytery. Then members of the Presbytery began to come and give a day preaching. The venerable Dr. Wm. McElwee was among the first of our supplies. Josiah Thompson of Clinton also was one of the first to hold Communion in the congregation. His sermon on Sabbath mornings on the occasion was one of special power and eloquence, on the text, All things are ready; come unto the marriage!
The services in the new school house were always largely attended. The house was always crowded and many gathered about the doors and windows and sat on the ground around the house. One old man, large and heavy, who seldom attended divine services would drive up and sit in his buggy by the open window and listen to the Word of God. The Word preached was like good seed sown on good ground. It took root and sprang up and brought forth fruit. It took root and sprung up and brought forth fruit.
Then came the Civil War. Some of those that went with us to House of God volunteered for the defense of their country. Wash. McHenry went into the Battle of Gettysburg and was never seen afterward. Joseph Gilmore was taken prisoner in the same struggle, while Alex Gilmore in the same company escaped and served all through the war, but since has died and sleeps in the Old Veasy Graveyard. Murry Nevin was wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness and died of his wound in Baltimore, was brought home and buried in Raccoon Graveyard. James Nevin died of fever and was buried on the bank of the Tennessee River, Much sorrow in the country.
The Mission prospered and grew stronger as rapidly as could be expected. Preaching had been kept up for two or three years when the people began to desire an organization. A petition was accordingly gotten up and presented to Presbytery. The petition was signed by about forty members and several adherents, and was first presented to Presbytery at Tomlinson’s Run Church in October 1864. Then it was that the Mission met its first opposition. The mother church, the Ohio Congregation was reluctant to give up the fellowship of her members. The Clinton Congregation was reluctant to give up good old Father Shilito and his family, especially as he had served among them as an elder for many years. The Raccoon Church made no opposition to the organization, though an elder, Mr. John Nevin and his family came out from them and entered into the Mission.
The opposition was so strong in Presbytery that the matter was laid over at that meeting. A Frankfort Springs, however, at the next meeting, after more full consideration, the organization was finally granted. This was in the early part of the year 1865. Rev. J.M. Witherspoon was appointed to organize the new congregation. Rev. Witherspoon came and organized the congregation in Rarden Run School house June 18, 1865.
The original members were as follows. Wm. G. Miller, Mrs. Mary Miller, James Miller, Mrs. Sara Miller, John McClester, Mrs. Eliza McClester, Miss Annie McClester, Joseph Wallace, Mrs. Rachel Wallace, James M. Wallace, Misses Nan and Rachel Wallace, James Alexander, Mrs. Nancy Alexander, Maggie Alexander, Fanny Alexander, Joseph McConnell, Mrs. Rachel McConnell, Miss Nancy McConnell, Mrs. Mary McCartney, John Nevin, Mrs. Mary Nevin, Miss N.J. Nevin, John E. Nevin, W. G. Nevin, George Shilito Sr., Mrs. Elizabeth Shilito, Mrs. Louisa Alexander, Mrs. Susanna Hartford, Mrs. McHenry, Minerva and Rachel McHenry. Thirty-two elders. Not one of these original members was ever called up for correction of any offence.
The want of a new church building was severely felt by the young congregation. About a year after the organization, eight new members were added to their number, among whom was Mr. A.T. Morrow afterward elected an elder, (now deceased). And so with about forty in 1868, nearly three years after organization, the congregation undertook the work of erecting a meeting house. The work was started by selecting the present site with great magnanimity. The grounds were donated by Joseph McConnell free of charge.
A subscription was raised and the present house of worship was erected at a cost of about $2400.00, with out a penny of help from the Board of Church Extension. The work was accomplished in great harmony and the house was dedicated on February 13, 1869 Rev. S.K. Graham preached the dedication sermon, no other Minister being present. During the progress of this work, the congregation was greatly strengthened by the addition of 20 new members at one communion making 70 members. Among those were Mr. Alex Morrow, now a member of Session, Mr. A.M. McCartney now superintendent of Sabbath School, and Mr. John P. McConnell now Treasurer of the board of Trustees. Along about this time the people began to multiply in the land. 69, 70 and 71 the records show that 36 infants and children were baptized, as many as 13 being presented at one time. No wonder the congregation is now remarkable for the number of its young people. Oh that these may indeed be true children of God.
Al this time the congregation had been a vacancy, no attempt had been made to settle a pastor. And now after seven years of vacancy, in June a congregational meeting was held and a call was moderated for Rev. David F. Mustard. The call was accepted and Rev. D.F. Mustard, the first pastor was ordained and installed on the eighth day of October 1872. His pastorate continued only about two years. During that time however, about 20 new members were added to the church. Two new elders were also added to the Session Mr. Wm. K. Purdy and Mr. Alex Morrow. In 1875 Rev. Mustard resigned and moved West.
The congregation was not long vacant however. Rev. A.H. Orr that same year was ordained and installed pastor, Sept. 7, 1875. Rev. Orr’s pastorate continued about four years. During his pastorate about 70 members were added to the church. In 1881, Rev. A.H. Orr resigned and moved to the North West.
The vacancy again was short. In February 1882 Rev. J.A. Shrader was ordained and installed pastor. His pastorate continued seven years. During his pastorate about 70 new members were added to the church. In 1888 Rev. Shrader resigned and moved to the northern part of Ohio. A vacancy of about five years followed his release.
In the spring of 1893 J.R. Wallace was called as pastor. His pastorate began in April 1893 though he was not installed till September of that year. His pastorate has continued a little over two years. During this time 48 members have been added, 13 infants and children and two adults have been baptized. Altogether 295 members have been received into the fellowship of this congregation. The growth and prosperity of the congregation have been steady and regular with a very remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Presently, the congregation is working to build on their historic strengths while they adapt their worship and ministry to meet the needs of the next century.
New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church has completed a renovation project which included new windows, siding, steeple and landscaping. The 2002 project was a new kitchen and fellowship hall.