History of Bethlehem Baptist Church

Our History

Due to the early records of the church being lost, for many years it was believed that the Bethlehem congregation was organized in 1824. However, due to reliable information received in the past few years, we are certain Bethlehem was organized in 1783, then called Otter Baptist Church. The Rev. John Anthony, Jr., a veteran of the Revolutionary War, was instrumental in organizing the congregation and served as the first pastor. He received authority to celebrate the rites of marriage August 28, 1781. One source of information states that Rev. Anthony served regularly as pastor until he contracted an illness in his last years. Another source states he served as pastor until his death in 1822. In later years his grandson, Rev. Charles Anthony served three pastorates at Bethlehem.

In 1804 there was a great revival at Bethlehem. Many were baptized and from this, in 1806, Burton Creek Baptist Church was constituted, which is now Beulah Baptist Church in Lynchburg. On record in the Clerk’s office in Bedford County is a deed dated November 12, 1831, when Henry Adams for the sum of six (6) dollars conveyed one (1) acre of land to the Otter Baptist Church, on which the Bethlehem Meeting House now stands. The name of the church was officially changed to Bethlehem in 1858 according to associational minutes.

The first church was a log structure. In 1875 a frame structure was built, logs from the first building were used for sills and floor joists in the new building. The contractor was Mr. William Pollard. On April 26, 1901 the church ordained Alexander Miller to the ministry. He was born in 1864, in London, Ontario, Canada. He died in Bedford County in 1923.

In 1901 thirteen (13) members received letters of transfer to become charter members of Mentow Baptist Church.

In 1952 the church entered into a contract with Mr. Lester Wood to raise the church building and dig a basement for Sunday School rooms and a new entrance. In 1955 eleven (11) members received letters of transfer to become charter members of Union Chapel Baptist Church of Lynch Station.

On July 31, 1966 the membership entered into a contract with G. M. Overstreet and Son to erect a brick building. The building was air conditioned in 1970.

In 1984 the church purchased approximately twelve (12) acres of land bordering the church property for future use of the church.

On March 7, 1999 the church approved a recommendation the deacons “That we move forward with our building program and select a draft person to draw up plans for a new addition to our church.” On December 5, 1999 the church approved a recommendation by the deacons to accept the proposal for the construction of the new addition to the church by the Contractor, Allen Construction, Builders, Sidney Allen. A ground-breaking ceremony for the construction was held after Worship Service on July 2, 2000. The new addition was dedicated at a special homecoming on April 29, 2001 with Andy Rice, Special Speaker for the service.

On January 26, 1997 the church voted to affiliate with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia.

On January 1, 2023, a new church constitution went into effect. This constitution brought the office of elder/overseer to Bethlehem. This is from the Bible examples that are found in Scripture. Timothy 3:1-16, Titus 1:5-9, and Acts 20:17, 28.

Some interesting statistics: In 1855 the church reported T. C. Goggin, pastor with 66 white members, 13 black. In 1857 George Leftwich, pastor with 57 white members and 12 black members. In 1858 J. J. Little, pastor with 55 white and 9 black. In 1881 W. D .Barr, pastor with 15 male and 25 female members. In 1881 the pastor’s salary was $100.00 per year. Offerings for Missions in 1881 were: Home Missions $3.36; Foreign Missions $1.63; State Missions $3.93. The pastor’s salary was lowered to $60.00 per year.