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Bethel Baptist Church

SC PICTURE PROJECT 2 Comments

SC Picture Project / Allendale County / Bethel Baptist Church

As early as 1800, the Savannah Association of Baptist Churches had formed along the Georgia-South Carolina border. In 1813 the two states split from the association, and the South Carolina churches became part of the Savannah River Association. Baptist churches continued to form in this rural river territory, expanding with the addition of railroads. By the late nineteenth century, the community of Fairfax had several Baptist churches, including Bethel Baptist Church, built in 1887.

Bethel Baptist Church

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Bethel Baptist Church, named for its surrounding Bethel community near present-day Fairfax, was formed in 1851. The congregation erected its first building, a log building, on this site in 1852. The land for the church was donated by Mathias Mathis. The log building was succeeded by a frame church in 1887. In 1899 Bethel Baptist Church joined with surrounding churches Salkehatchie Baptist, Harmony Baptist, and Bethlehem Baptist to form a single pastoral field. One pastor served the members of these churches, and the congregations met together in a single church building twice a month. The services rotated among the churches – a practice that continued into the early twentieth century.

Bethel Baptist Marker

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

According to reader Bob Connelly, Bethel first became a member of the Savannah River Association in 1851, then in 1856, became a charter member of the Barnwell Baptist Association, remaining a member until 1961, when the church joined the Allendale-Hampton Baptist Association.

Bethel Baptist

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

When the present sanctuary was constructed in 1949, it connected with the original sanctuary, maximizing space and preserving history. The church has undergone renovations twice since then – once in 1984 and again in 1991. It remains an active church near the town of Fairfax.

Plan Your Trip: Bethel Baptist Church

Where is Bethel Baptist Church located?
Address: 6486 Confederate Highway, Fairfax, SC 29827
GPS Coordinates: 33.040110,-81.160186
What else should I see?
Harmony Baptist Church 3.7 miles
St. Nicholas Lutheran Church 4.5 miles
Rivers Bridge State Park 6.9 miles
Salkehatchie Baptist Church 7.5 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Churches
  • Fairfax Historic Sites
    Bethel Baptist Church Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bob Connelly says

      May 17, 2018 at 10:45 AM

      This article has several items that need to be re-written as they are confusing. I also don’t like being referred to as a “reader.” I am a life-long member, deacon, and un-official historian of Bethel Church and submitted the paperwork and historical documents for the state historical marker. I also wrote and printed a history of the church.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        May 17, 2018 at 8:02 PM

        Hello Mr. Connelly, it was certainly never our intention to offend you or to discredit anything you have provided — It of course, is greatly appreciated. Which parts of the article do you feel visitors would find confusing? We would gladly look into how we are able to make anything more clearly stated. Thanks in advance.

        Reply

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    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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