Brevard in Transylvania County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bethel Baptist Church

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 30, 2025

1. Bethel Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Bethel Baptist is the oldest African American church in Transylvania County. Prior to 1865, African American Baptists in the County attended Cathey’s Creek church. As slaves, they were relegated to the back of the church. Their participation was limited to listening and tending to slaveholder’s children. In 1865, this group of African American people was declared free by law. They organized to establish a church of their own.

“The African American Storyline Project” (A Transylvania Citizen’s Improvement Organization and Morning Glory Inspirations collaborative initiative)

Erected by Transylvania Citizen’s Improvement Organization and Morning Glory Inspirations. (Marker Number 8.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the The African American Storyline Project series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 35° 14.148′ N, 82° 44.441′ W. Marker is in Brevard, North Carolina, in Transylvania County. It is on Mills Avenue north of Brown Lane, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 Mills Avenue, Brevard NC 28712, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

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

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walking distance of this marker: Mr. Jip’s Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Happy Hollow (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eliza’s Rooming House (about 600 feet away); Henry’s Barber Shop/Green Onion (about 600 feet away); Condrey Sharp Boarding House (about 700 feet away); Mountain Lily Lodge/Betsill Barber Shop (about 700 feet away); Mill’s Chapel A.M.E. Church (about 700 feet away); Jim Aiken’s/Moms Mableys Home Place (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brevard.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 30, 2025

2. Bethel Baptist Church Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 30, 2025

3. Bethel Baptist Church Marker

First Bethel Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 30, 2025

4. First Bethel Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2025, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 51 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 29, 2025, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.