Bethel in Giles County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Bethel United Methodist Church

Photographed by Deborah Spencer, July 4, 2025

1. Bethel United Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. The first Bethel United Methodist Church was established about 1817 by William Brown, also known as "Good Billy." In 1821, a Methodist Society was formed, and in 1829 a great revival at Bethel led to the founding of sister churches at Prospect, Mt. Carmel, Friendship, and Pisgah. Eighteen young men sent from Bethel served these and other congregations in the area. The existing church was built in 1900 with memorial windows of stained glass that recorded names of early ministers and prominent Bethel families of the era.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3F 53.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.

Location. 35° 0.153′ N, 87° 3.362′ W. Marker is in Bethel, Tennessee, in Giles County. It is at the intersection of Turner Road and Alsup Rd, on the right when traveling east on Turner Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 824 Turner Rd, Prospect TN 38477, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

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 Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bethel Masonic Lodge / Bethel: Giles County, Tennessee (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Louie Edmundson (about 600

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feet away); Gourdsville / Gilbertsboro (approx. 2.1 miles away in Alabama); Cunningham Cemetery (approx. 5.1 miles away in Alabama); Dupree Cemetery (approx. 5½ miles away in Alabama); Sims Settlement (approx. 6.1 miles away in Alabama); Sim Corder/Harrison Mill (approx. 6.3 miles away in Alabama); Pettusville (approx. 6.8 miles away in Alabama).

Photographed by Deborah Spencer, July 4, 2025

2. Bethel United Methodist Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2025, by Deborah Spencer of Huntsville, Alabama. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 6, 2025, by Deborah Spencer of Huntsville, Alabama. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.