Midland in Cabarrus County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bethel Church Arbor

Established circa 1830

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 12, 2023

1. Bethel Church Arbor Marker

Inscription. Earliest documented seat of Methodism in Cabarrus County. Originally used to house week-long camp meeting revivals traditionally held the second Sunday in August. A reported estimate of 2000 people attended in 1878. Families camped in cabins or tents around the Arbor. Oak timbers are hand-hewn and held together with wooden pegs. The Sunday tradition continues to this day in the form of a congregational homecoming.
Bethel Arbor placed on National Register of Historic Places 1997
Dedicated August 10, 1997

Erected 1997 by Avous Black Liles.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 35° 14.55′ N, 80° 32.234′ W. Marker is in Midland, North Carolina, in Cabarrus County. It is at the intersection of Bethel Church Road (State Road 1145) and Idlebrook Road, on the right when traveling north on Bethel Church Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12659 Bethel

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Church Rd, Midland NC 28107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Greater Charlotte.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Bethel Church Arbor (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Reed Gold Mine (approx. 4 miles away); Rocky River Church (approx. 5.6 miles away); Commemorating Rocky River Presbyterian Church (approx. 5.7 miles away); Adam Alexander (approx. 6.1 miles away); Rocky Spring Burial Ground (approx. 6.1 miles away); Philadelphia Presbyterian Church (approx. 7.7 miles away); Historic Bain Academy (approx. 7.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Midland.

Also see . . . Bethel Church Arbor (PDF).

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 12, 2023

2. Bethel Church Arbor Marker

National Register of Historic Places nomination for the arbor, which was listed in 1997. (Prepared by Sue G. Russell; via National Archives) (Submitted on December 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Bethel Church Arbor image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 12, 2023

3. Bethel Church Arbor

Current Bethel Church sanctuary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 25, 2026

4. Current Bethel Church sanctuary

Bethel Church Arbor cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 25, 2026

5. Bethel Church Arbor cornerstone

Bethel
M.E. Church So.
Founded 1810
Rebuilt 1922
Rev. R.F. Huneycutt.
Pastor

Bethel Church Arbor roofing with mortise and tenon joint and wooden pegs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 25, 2026

6. Bethel Church Arbor roofing with mortise and tenon joint and wooden pegs

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.