History of Bethel

Bethel Church History

The Bethel United Methodist Church and cemetery are located two miles west of Lively, Virginia on State Route #201 on a 33 acre parcel. The church building became known as Bethel (Beit-El), Hebrew for "House of God". In 1915, an addition of a narthex and steeple was completed. a beautiful stained glass window, "Christ at Gethsemane", was dedicated in 1925, and another window, "Come Unto Me" in 1956. In 1961 it was decided to build a new church which was completed in the fall of 1963. This structure houses a sanctuary capable of seating two hundred persons, a fellowship hall with stage and kitchen facilities, nine classrooms, two choir rooms, a pastor's office, a church office and library. A brick memorial building was erected on the site where old Bethel once stood. In 1970, the Bethel and Emmanuel Churches formed a two-point charge to be known as the Bethel-Emmanuel Charge. The completely modern parsonage located in Lively Oaks was constructed in 1976 and was just one of the many things that led people to call Bethel - Emmanuel the crown jewel of the Rappahannock District.