Donated by Jean Gilley.

Bethlehem Baptist Remembers Its Roots

This article appeared in the Citizens Journal (Atlanta, TX) on Jan. 4, 1987, by Gordon Pruitt, Pastor for Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Bethlehem Baptist church was organized in 1878 with 13 charter members. The building was of a wooden structure. The church, later in 1943, was converted to a brick building at which time the Rev. Ennis Anderson was serving as pastor.

The church doors were closed for a short period of time. They were reopened on March 19, 1978, by the Rev. Les Cox and his wife Ruby and nine members. Cox was pastor eight years and three months having resigned on June 15, 1986, because of ill health.

During the time Rev. Les Cox was pastor, there were 23 additions to the church body.

There were various means of remodeling done to the church building during Rev. Cox's pastorship there. There was a new roof put on the church building, new carpet was applied to the floors throughout the Sunday school rooms. Two new bathrooms were added and a water well was drilled.

Bethlehem Baptist Church is an independent church body, but also cooperative with the Enon Baptist Association and the Southern Baptist Convention.

We also believe in carrying out the great commission of the Lord Jesus Christ which was given unto the church. "And he said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." St. Mark 16: 15-16.

(I was reading through the Early churches. Bethlehem was listed. My grandmother informed me that that was where the Black Children went to school along with a place called Floyd Valley. Tya)