Bethlehem in Barrow County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bethlehem United Methodist Church

Photographed by David Seibert, December 13, 2004

1. Bethlehem United Methodist Church Marker

The marker where it stood at the entrance to church offices, to the rear of the church.

Inscription. Oldest Methodist Church in Barrow County, organized in the 1780’s. Services first held two miles N.E. in log house. In 1790 a church was built nearby. The present site was originally a camp ground with an arbor, tents & cottages for camp meetings. Arbor used as mobilization center during War Between the States. Exact date church moved to this site unknown. Land deeded by Rev. John W. B. Allen to trustees in 1847. First church here torn down in 1878 and another erected. Present church was built in 1949 as a memorial to Guy Lee Thompson. Church School building added in 1967. Narthex and steeple added in 1970.

Erected 1977 by Bethlehem United Methodist Church and the Barrow County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.

Location. 33° 56.167′ N, 83° 42.883′ W. Marker is in Bethlehem, Georgia, in Barrow County. It can be reached from the intersection of Christmas Avenue (Georgia Route 11) and Manger Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 709 Christmas Avenue, Bethlehem GA 30620, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Classic City Area,

in the Piedmont,

and in Metro Atlanta.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 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 3 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: Charles O. Maddox (approx. 2.4 miles away); Marbury Creek Watershed Project (approx. 2.4 miles away); William Harris Homestead (approx. 2.7 miles away); Soil and Water Conservation Districts (approx. 2.8 miles away); a different marker also named The William Harris Homestead (approx. 2.8 miles away); Harris Smokehouse (approx. 2.9 miles away); Harris Family Cemetery (approx. 2.9 miles away); “Improved” Land (approx. 2.9 miles away).

More about this marker. The church, and the marker, were originally located on Bethlehem Church Road at Manning Gin Road, and statements on the marker refer to that building. A new church building complex on Christmas Avenue was completed and dedicated in 2001, and the marker was installed at the rear of the church by the office. The original photograph was taken at that location.

By 2009 the marker had been removed and put in storage, as a major expansion of the church (adding a new Family Life Center, Contemporary Worship area, and new offices and additional space) made the original area inaccessible.

By 2011 the major expansion had been completed, and the marker had been reinstalled in a new (and logical) place, its third, at a front corner of the church property. The location information and GPS coordinates reflect this new position.

Photographed by David Seibert, September 3, 2011

2. Bethlehem United Methodist Church Marker

Looking south at the marker in its new location in 2011, on Georgia Highway 11 (Christmas Avenue).

Photographed by David Seibert, September 3, 2011

3. Bethlehem United Methodist Church Marker

The marker in its new position in 2011, with the church in the background.

Bethlehem United Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, May 30, 2009

4. Bethlehem United Methodist Church

The marker stood to the rear of this building complex, which is now (2009) being expanded.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,655 times since then and 56 times this year. Last updated on September 4, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on June 2, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2, 3. submitted on September 4, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 4. submitted on June 2, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.