Ralph in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Bethel Baptist Church
Ralph, Alabama
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 6, 2022
1. Bethel Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
Bethel Baptist Church. Ralph, Alabama. Organized May 10, 1834, as Buck Creek Baptist Church. Presiding Clergy: Robert Marsh, Mede White, Thomas Norris and Job Wilson. Building erected in 1836 and renamed Bethel Baptist Church. Larger structure erected 1907. Destroyed by lightning and rebuilt in 1977. In 1890 Mary Jane Thornton from Bethel was the first Baptist missionary from Tuscaloosa County. Served with Lottie Moon in the China Mission. Gov. Lurleen Burns Wallace, as a youth, attended Bethel Church. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Morgan Burns, are buried in the Bethel Cemetery. ,
Marker unveiled April 29, 1984.
Organized May 10, 1834, as Buck Creek Baptist
Church. Presiding Clergy: Robert Marsh, Mede
White, Thomas Norris and Job Wilson. Building
erected in 1836 and renamed Bethel Baptist
Church. Larger structure erected 1907.
Destroyed by lightning and rebuilt in 1977.
In 1890 Mary Jane Thornton from Bethel was
the first Baptist missionary from Tuscaloosa
County. Served with Lottie Moon in the China
Mission. Gov. Lurleen Burns Wallace, as a
youth, attended Bethel Church. Her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Morgan Burns, are buried
in the Bethel Cemetery.
Marker unveiled April 29, 1984
Erected 1984 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1834.
Location. 33° 2.132′ N, 87° 47.06′ W. Marker is in Ralph, Alabama, in Tuscaloosa County. Marker is at the intersection of Shiloh Road (County Route 67) and Phillips Mill Road, on the left when traveling west on Shiloh Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15611 Shiloh Rd, Ralph AL 35480, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Beulah Baptist Church
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 6, 2022
2. Bethel Baptist Church Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 163 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
