About Us
PROLOGUE
In 1974, a severe flood caused damage to Mt. Bethel Church. Many important church records were destroyed including documents that dealt with Mt. Bethel’s history. With as much care and research as possible, Rev. L. C. Bender, Jr. and other members of the church began to piece together the roots of Mt. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. The information presented here is as accurate as possible.
HISTORY
Mt. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church has been in existence since the late 1800's, and is approximately one-hundred and three years old. The original wood -framed building, which was owned by the Clinton Lumber Company, was located across the street from the present structure. Sadly, due too the loss of records, we do not have a more precise description of this original structure or its history. We do know, however, that twenty-one years later--around October 5, 1947--Clinton Lumber Company deeded to the church the area of land on which the present building now stands.
As Mt. Bethel grew in Spirit and membership, the Lord sent great leaders to serve as overseers of His House and children. Leaders such as the Reverends Cotton, R. T. Thomas, Simmons, W. D. Ridgeway and J. W. Haynes Deacons the served under their leadership were the late Milton Cooper, Neal Myers, Jim Nunly, Ike Spinks, Joe Haynes, Ed Hooker, Turner Walker, and Brother King.
In 1948-1964, Reverends M. K. Duncan and J. J. Jones and W. L. Carter served as leader as the church continued to grow both physically and spiritually. During the improvements to the church building, the church gained possession of the property across the street where the Petal Quarters Laundromat was located. On December 31, 1968, Mr. W. H. Cleman deeded the property where the present structure presides this was done through the cooperation of the Church Trustees Board George Fairley, Lewis January, Deacon Neal Myers, and George Roberts. Deacons were Melvin Cooper, Neal Myers, Ike Spinks, David Alexander Austin Buckley.
In 1974, disaster struck the church. A terrible flood washed through Petal Quarters, and many homes were damaged as well as the church. Many important church documents and records were lost. Members salvaged what they could from the waterlogged building. In 1980, Reverend Robert F. Loggin served as pastor as he worked closely with the officers and members in remodeling and beautifying the church. Ministries were added to the church such as Bible class on Sunday evenings and counseling on Saturday evenings.
Pastor L. C. Bender, Jr. served the congregation from 1985 through 2008, and under his leadership, a new sanctuary was added to the existence structure. In January 1999, we march into “The House of Faith’ God holy place.
In 2009, Rev. Joe H. Wiley took the rod as shepherd. In 2012, Rev. Thomas Young, Sr. took the rod of shepherd.
God is using Pastor Young to carry Mt. Bethel to the next level in worship. His vision for the church is that we become Kingdom builder. He have added new ministries, Youth Bible Study, Brotherhood and Publication. We give all praises to God as we continue to “Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God.”