Our records indicate that preaching began in 1784 when a circuit rider came through our area on horseback, and shared the word of God.  Bethel is quite possibly the second oldest Methodist organization in Stanly County.  The early Methodist congregations were known as Methodist Societies.  They met in individual homes or out in the open.  During good weather they usually settled upon one particular home centrally located.  In our area, the central area was known as "Carter's Meeting House". In 1790, James Parks was sent to the Salisbury Circuit as the pastor.  It is assumed that he was Bethel's first pastor after the congregation was organized into a church.  In 1790 the first church was built of logs.  In 1830 another larger log building and in 1850 yet another log building replaced the old one.  During the period preceding and following the Civil War, a brush arbor (shelter type structure made of poles and branches) stood on the grounds, surrounded by one-room cabins in which people lived during the two week Annual Revival. In 1897 a new frame church was built.  In 1946-47 the frame church was remodeled into a brick building which contained a large auditorium and individual rooms for Sunday School classes. The cemetery, which enlarges with time, was once mounded graves with dirt walkways between each row of graves.  In 1955 it was graded and sown in grass. In 1955, construction began on the fellowship hall and the building was completed in 1957.  In 1983, a concrete parking lot was added. Bethel celebrated their bicentennial (200 years) during the year 1990.  The cornerstone was opened on August 12th, 1990, which was homecoming Sunday.  A new cornerstone was installed in the church on November 2, 1991.  In 1999, the sanctuary and existing classrooms were renovated.  A new education building connecting the church and fellowship hall was built.  The new addition contained five new classrooms and four restrooms. A steeple was erected in 1999 and the dedication of the renovations was held on March 26, 2000. Bethel church was established on faith, fellowship, love and caring for others.  We look into the past with joy at all our brothers and sisters in Christ accomplished for the kingdom of God.  We look forward to the future filled with excitement for all the great things that God will accomplish through the works from our little country church. From Matthew 5:16  ... We let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works, which glorifies our Father in Heaven.