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Old Bethel Church~A Beacon
For Almost Two Centuries
By Dale W hiten
Children of the Heav’nly
King.
As ye journey, sweetly sing;
Sing your Saviour’s worthy
praise.
Glorious in his works and
ways.
The stanza is part of a
hymn from the Primitive
Baptist Hymn Book which
has been sung for more than
135 years by the congregation
of the Old Bethel Primitive
Baptist Church which is
believed to be the oldest
church in Butts County.
Located about four miles
north of Jackson on Oid
Bethel Road, it has been
traditionally held that Old
Bethel Church goes back
much further than 135
vears-back to it traditional
date of organization in 1789
according to the present
church clerk, Mrs. G. R.
Lewis of Jackson.
In 1789 the U.S. Constitu
tion was ratified, the French
Revolution was beginning
and the Creek Indians still
inhabited the area where Old
Bethel Church was first
constituted.
The area was then part of
Henry County, and the
Indians called the path by
this log cabin church “White
Path.”
Though 1789 is the tradit
ional date of organization,
Old Bethel Church was
definitely in existence and
functioning as a church by
1824 according to the History
of Henry County by Mrs. R.
A. Rainer.
In addition, the church
cemetery contains evidence
of its possibly being the
oldest church in Butts
County. The oldest marked
grave is that of Ora E.
Bailey, “consort of Dr.
Charles Bailey,” who died
October 17,1829 at the age of
19.
As Butts County was in the
process of being formed from
parts of Henry and Monroe
Counties, Burwell Jinks, a
prominent land-owning citi
zen of the area, had the deed
- dated April 13,1808 ~ to the
land on which Old Bethel
Church was situated and in
the 1808 deed he gave the
land to the church members.
The land on which the
present church building
stands, including the adjoin
ing cemetery, was deeded to
the trustees of the church in
1845 by the heirs of Burwell
Jinks. The deed provided if
Bethel Primitive Baptist
Church were ever dissolved,
the land would revert to the
heirs of Jinks.
John Berry Is
Buried Friday
In Kentucky
Mr. John W. Berry, Sr., 54,
of 102 Whiteoak Street,
Corbin, Kentucky,died at the
SEK Baptist Hospital at 8:55
o'clock in the morning of
March 2nd. He was an
engineer for the L&N
Railroad.
Funeral services were
conducted at two o’clock
Friday afternoon at the
Central Baptist Church with
Rev. Ray Cummins, officiat
ing. Burial was in the A. R.
Byche Memorial Cemetery
in London, Ky.
Mr. Berry is survived by
his wife, Mrs. John (Etwoile)
Berry, Sr. of Corbin, Ky.;
two daughters, Brenda Berry
of Corbin, Ky. and Mrs.
Elizabeth Terry of Dayton,
Ohio; a son, John Wesley
Berry, Jr., Corbin, Ky.; two
grandchildren; father, John
T. Berry of Cobin, Ky.; three
sisters, Mrs. Martha Burdett
of Mt. Vernon, Ky., Mrs.
Eddie Mae Brown of Louis
ville, Ky., and Mrs. Mary
Golden of Cynthiana, Ohio;
one brother Jack R. Berry of
Covington, Ky.
Those from Jackson at
tending funeral services
were Mr. and Mrs. John L.
Coleman. Mrs. Alton Cole
man. Mr. and Mrs. Bob
Fincher. Mrs Mary Lois
Singley. Emory Spencer and
Wendell Spencer.
H f ~ I ? ~ j§|
i
BEFORE FACELIFT AND REPAIRS This picture
of Old Bethel Church was taken several years ago when the
church building, the fourth for the church, was in need of
repairs. The church, in existence since 1789, is an integral
part of the history of Butts County.
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OLD BETHEL CHURCH TODAY Recent repairs
improvements on Old Bethel Church have improved the
condition and looks of the church building considerably.
Probably the most noticeable change has been the addition
of new siding but many improvements have also been made
inside the building. photo by Carole Lawrence
Old Bethel Church has a
continuous, unbroken record
of services and Mrs. Lewis
said the present church
building is believed to be the
fourth building for the
church.
She also noted that even
though “the community
around the plain little
meeting house has under
gone many changes since the
first church was organized,”
the Church still believes in
the Articles of Faith upon
which it was first constituted.
The changes in the com
munity have not escaped the
church building and during
the past year new siding and
shutters, new brick steps on
the front and back, new
outside lights and acoustical
ceiling tile are some of the
changes which have been
made.
In addition, the walls have
been refinished with sheet
rock and paneling and future
plans call for new pews and
carpeting.
[stark
NEWS
By
| Mrs. B. A. Williamson
Mrs. Emerson McMichael
and Mrs. Greta Jordan were
visitors to Griffin, Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy
.McMichael. Gregg and Gail
of Atlanta spent Sunday with
Mr. and Mrs. Jim McMi
chael.
Mrs. Lloyd White, Mrs.
Jimmy White and Mrs. Fred
Collins spent Thursday in
Atlanta.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald
McClure and daughters,
Darla and Andrea, of
Morrow, spent the weekend
here with Mr. and Mrs. Willis
McClure and Mr. and Mrs.
Raymond Smith in Flovilla.
Supper guests of Mr. and
Mrs. Troy Allen on Saturday
night were Mr. and Mrs.
John Allen and Cheryl of
Decatur, Mr. and Mrs. Sam
Allen and baby son of
Worthville and Mr. and Mrs.
Neal Allen and Jason.
Mr. Frank Townsend of
McDonough visited relatives
here Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles
McMichael of Snellville visit
ed Mr. and Mrs. Jim
McMichael and Mr. and Mrs.
Emerson McMichael on
Sunday.
Mrs. Rogers Kersey was
admitted to a Macon hospital
THE JACKSON PROGRESS-ARGUS, JACKSON* GEORGIA
Presently Old Bethel
Church is one of eight
churches composing the Old
School Original Towaliga
Association of Primitive
Baptist. Elder John B.
Hancock of College Park,
Georgia, is the present
pastor.
Services are held each
second Sunday morning and
on other Sundays the
members meet with other
Primitive Baptist congrega
tions in the area.
The members of Old Bethel
Primitive Baptist Church
(“primitive” refers to the
earliest type of Christian
Church) are proud of their
church’s history and tradi
tions and their pride is
summarized in the words of
Mrs. Lewis:
“Many of God’s most able
ministers have stood in the
pulpit of Old Bethel Primi
tive Baptist Church which
has been a lovely place to
worship God for almost two
centuries.”
Mrs. Morris
Was Buried
On March 1
Funeral services for Mrs.
Julia J. Morris, of McDon
ough, were held Tuesday,
March 1, at 3:30 o’clock from
the Carmichael Memorial
Chapel in McDonough. The
Rev. Donald L. Folsom,
pastor of the Jackson First
Baptist Church, officiated
and interment was in the
McDonough City cemetery
under the direction of D. T.
Carmichael & Son, Inc.
Mrs. Morris died Sunday,
February 27th, at the
Westbury Nursing Home in
Jenkinsburg.
Survivors are daughters,
Mrs. Mary Malock, College
Park; Mrs. W. F. Morris,
McDonough; sons, Carlton
Morris, Jackson; J. T. and
Carl Morris, of McDonough;
Joe Morris. Tampa, Fla.; 20
grandchildren, 29 great
grandchildren, nieces and
nephews.
on Tuesday of last week for
observation and treatment.
Guests of Mrs. Annie
Taylor during the weekend
wore Mrs. Fred Hoard, Mr.
and Mrs. Jack Mclx;es, Mr.
and Mrs. Ronald Cook and
baby and Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Mayhue and Chuck
ol Gray.
People’s Forum
Do You Think the Natural Gas Shortage Was Real Or Contrived?
JOY WELLS
There have been so many
products held off the market
to hike the prices, I’m really
not sure, but if we go along
with the idea of turning
thermostats down, what’s the
big deal? Have you hugged
your husband today?
Weekly
Devotional
By Rev. E. Ray Savage,
Pastor Jackson Church of
The N’azarene
FACTORS IN
FRUIT BEARING
Bearing fruit is the normal
process in all of life. If life is
healthy, fruit may be
expected. The farmer de
pends on it when he plants
tlie seed. God depends on this
factor of fruit bearing in His
disciples. Healthy saints
bear fruit. It is the normal
process for healthy Christ
ians to produce Christians. If
this is not being done, there is
an unhealthy condition pre
vailing in the soul of the
saint.
To bear fruit is to
reproduce in kind. The
farmer knows that good seed
produces good fruit and
interior seed produces in
ferior fruit. It is true in the
church also. Vital, victorious
Christians reproduce in kind.
And, careless, prayerless,
joyless “saints” reproduce in
kind.
To bear fruit is to multiply
in number. The farmer
plants 5 bushels of seed to the
acre, but he expects 50 - or
500 - in return. He depends on
the increase to stay in
business. Fifty years ago
seventeen men dedicated
themselves to the principles
of Communism. Today one
half the world is dominated
by this atheistic system. How
much has your church grown
in the past five years?
Twenty years? Fifty years?
Fruit bearing is imperative
to survival. Suppose just one
generation of cattle should
fail to reproduce; the species
would become extinct. Think
what that would do to our
WALTON INSULATION CO.
“Let Us Save You Money On Heating”
Alcovy Road, Jersey, Ga.
Phone 464-3617
“Even if you
use the short
form, it
could pay you to
see Block.”
Even the short form is more complicated
this year. So to be sure you pay the
smallest legitimate tax—it could pay you
to see Block. And if switching to the long
form will save you money, Block will
show you just how much.
H&R BLOCK
THE INCOME TAX PEOPLE
506 E. THIRD STREET
9 am 7 pm weekdays, 9-5 Sat. Phone 775-3749
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
WILLIE BRIDGES
I don’t think it was real
because it would not have
eased so suddenly-I think it
was invented to boost prices.
Flovilla
Happenings
By Mrs. Emily Burns
Mrs. Juanita Martin and
Eddie of Covington and Mrs.
Sylvia Miller and boys of
McDonough were guests
Thursday of Mr. and Mrs. S.
A. Elliott.
Visiting Miss Fredna Hil
ley on Tuesday was Mrs.
Carolyn Redman of Jackson.
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm
Smith and Rod visited in
Macon Sunday with Mr. and
Mrs. John Leverette.
Mrs. Bobbie Brooks and
Darryl of Miami, Fla. and
Mrs. Pat Callaway, Michael
and Kathy of Jacksonville,
Fla. were the weekend guests
of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Burns.
Miss Virginia Smith was
the guest Sunday of Mrs.
Beth Hearn of Jackson. They
also visited Miss Delia
Watkins, a patient at the
Sylvan Grove Hospital.
Visiting Mrs. W. E. Waits
during the weekend were
Mrs. Curtis Cochran of
Julliette. Mr. Mike Waits and
Emory W’aits, Jr.
Weekend guests of Mr. and
Mrs. Dale Robinson and
Jason were Mr. and Mrs.
Wayne Boatright and Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Stanley all
of Aiken. S. C.
Congratulations to Mayor
David Burford on being
nominated Outstanding
Young Man of the Year.
supply of meat, milk, butter,
cheese, leather. Worse, still,
if Christians should stop
bearing fruit for one short
generation, Christianity
would become extinct! Are
you bearing fruit? How
much?
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1977
i;
L. H. HURT
I think there was a
shortage to some extent, but
I think it was blown up to
boost prices.
Westbury
Volunteers
By Mrs. Christine B. James
In addition to regular
activities volunteers were
busy helping the residents at
Westbury celebrate heart
month.
On February 14th thirty
four residents took part in a
Rock-A-Thon. Thanks to each
group furnishing entertain
ment during the eight
rocking hours. Many thanks
are in order - to staff
members, especially Mrs.
Doris Cardell, Mrs. Sandra
Pritchett and Mrs. Linda
Ford; volunteers; each per
son dropping in to cheer the
rockers on; each person
contributing money amount
ing to over $100.00; each
rocking resident; Mr. D.
Hansford from the Heart
Fund Office in Atlanta; Tina
Cochran, poster girl; and, a
very special “thanks” to
Paul Anderson of WJGA
Radio Station. Paul’s hour
long broadcast was the
highlight of the day. And we
deeply appreciate the publi
city given to the Rock-A-
Thon by WJGA before the
special day.
More thanks go out to
thirty-one people collecting
money from you wonderful
people. Our goal of $500.00
was topped by $48.26. This
amount was presented to
Butts County Chapter of the
Heart Association.
On February 28th West
bury’s Activities Directors,
Mrs. Doris Cardell and Mrs.
Sandra Pritchett, had a
GRIFFIN AREA TECH
Serving Butts County with quality
Vocational Technical programs.
Just minutes away from the school that cares about
you.
Choose from one of the exciting programs Day
and Evening Classes.
Accounting
Auto Body Repair
Auto Mechanics
Brick Masonry
Carpentry
Data Processing
Drafting
Spring Quarter Begins March 21, 1977
All programs are approved for veterans benefits.
Contact: P. O. Box 131, Griffin, Ga. 30223
Phone 227-1322
*No Evening Classes
CARD OF THANKS
To my many friends,
neighbors and my family I
wish to thank each one very
sincerely for the many
kindnesses shown me during
my hospitalization and since
my return from Sylvan
Grove Hospital. The cards,
flowers, visits, food and other
expressions of love were very
much appreciated. A special
thanks to Dr. Newman, the
staff and the wonderful
nurses at the hospital, and to
my pastor. Rev. Phil
DeMore, for his visits. May
God reward each of you with
special blessings. --Sincere
ly, Mrs. Brae K. Hodges, Sr.
hamburger supper at Indian
Springs State Park for all
Rock-A-Thon participants
and workers. They were
assisted by Mrs. Ila Smith,
Westbury’s Food Supervisor
and volunteers. We wish to
thank each person helping in
any way to make the
occasion a success. Prizes
were presented to Georgia
Ann Young for collecting the
most money and to Mrs.
Maude Mason, resident with
the largest amount of money.
HOW MANY PEOPLE
HAVE KEYS TO YOUR
HOME OR BUSINESS?
To Keep Out Unauthorized Persons
H ave Your
LOCKS
REKEYED or INSTALLED
by
COOK’S MACHINE & LOCK SERVICE
775-4230
Electronics Technology
Clerical
Heat and Air Conditioning
Machine Shop
Nursing
Radio and TV
Secretarial
Welding
CYRUS BROADUS
I believe there was a real
shortage because the supply
of gas was cut to so many
industries.
CHIRO-INFORMER
What is Chiropractic? It IS
a system of adjusting the
moveable segments and
adjacent tissues of the body
for CORRECTION of the
CAUSE of Dis-ease! ALL
health involves nerves con
trolling ALL functions. IN
TERFERENCE in the
NERVE system is the
CAUSE that Chiropractors
correct.
Methods of manipulation
were devised in early days to
accomplish correction. Re
search has discovered many
more modest methods equal
ly or more effective. You
CAN be treated gently and
without fear.
Why Chiropractic care?
Simply because it TREATS
HUMAN DISORDER > for
better health without drugs
or other costly procedures.
Chiropractic does not ac
cept ALL cases, but it DOES
HELP nearly all it accepts.
YOUR help CAN be as
available as your telephone -
775-7193 at 540 West Third
Street.
Dr. R. J. Cartwright
