The story of our independent Methodist church . . .
It all began with Jesus …
—Everything that we are and everything that we do is all because of Jesus!
— Because of what God has done through Jesus, there is hope!
It all began by faith…
Bethlehem was established in the late 1700s when believers in Christ met at Timber Ridge Meeting House (also known as Mr. Murphy’s Meeting House, for Elder Joseph Murphy, who was the preacher) near the present site. Timber Ridge Meeting House was a Baptist meeting house, but they shared their building with the local brethren who would eventually purchase Timber Creek from the Baptists in 1815, when Timber Creek dissolved. These pioneering Methodists named their church “Bethlehem.” The faithful at Bethlehem Methodist Church have been witnesses of the love and grace of Jesus Christ for over 200 years!
The current sanctuary evolved from two building campaigns in 1884 and 1923. (History of North Carolina Baptists, Vol. II, by George Washington Paschall, 1955, by the General Board of the N. C. Baptist State Convention.)
— even though the times certainly change, The Eternal Truth of The Gospel never changes!
We sincerely believe that The Gospel of Jesus Christ is our only hope for salvation, and in that way The Gospel changes everything!
We would love for you to join us on a Sunday morning sometime soon so that we can tell you about our Jesus!
our history…
— We exist to be and to make disciples who will transform our community and our world
with The Power of The Gospel of Jesus Christ