Near Canehill in Washington County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Bethlehem Methodist-Episcopal Church South
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 21, 2023
1. Bethlehem Methodist-Episcopal Church South Marker
the first church established
in Washington County Arkansas
Bethlehem
Methodist-Episcopal
Church South
established April 17th, 1827
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is April 17, 1827.
Location. 35° 52.078′ N, 94° 27.55′ W. Marker is near Canehill, Arkansas, in Washington County. It can be reached from East Munyon Road (County Road 442) 0.3 miles south of State Route 45, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in Bethlehem Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16659 E Munyon Rd, Canehill AR 72717, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Arkansas, on the Ozark Plateau, in the Cherokee Heritage Region, and in Osage Territory. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Ozarks. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bethlehem Cemetery (here, next to this marker); Fruit Cellar (approx. 4.4 miles away); Dr. William and Laura Welch House - 1855 (approx. 4.4 miles away); Zebulon and Eunice Edmiston House 1872 (approx. 4½ miles away); The Battle of Cane Hill (approx. 4½ miles away); Washington County Cane Hill College (approx. 4.6 miles away); Almost The End Of The Cherokee's Sad Journey Westward (approx. 5 miles away); John Tilley House (approx. 9.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canehill.
Other markers no longer nearby.
this page online
Regarding Bethlehem Methodist-Episcopal Church South. Excerpts from the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the church cemetery:
In 1827, the Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Church South was constructed by John Bankston. At the time of its construction the church was located on the main road between the towns of Vineyard and Canehill Circa 1910 the Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Church South was moved to the town of Morrow; thus the only thing that remains of historic Bethlehem is the old weathered gravestone of some of the county's earliest settlers.
In 1826 a group of six families led by Hugh Simpson settled near Canehill. The pioneers settled on Indian land and shortly after soldiers from Ft. Gibson rode in and destroyed their crops in an attempt to force them off of the land, but this effort failed. Shortly after the soldiers had left the families returned to their land. These settlers built the Bethlehem Methodists Episcopal Church South in 1827, a year before Washington County was officially open to settlement.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 21, 2023
2. Bethlehem Methodist-Episcopal Church South Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
