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Bethel United Church closed its doors with a grand celebration Sunday, Aug. 15.

The church was bursting at the seams in the sanctuary and the basement, and some people even had to sit outside and listen to the service on a loud speaker.

Taking part in the service were worship leader Rev. Janet MacDonald, church minister Rev. Bob Putman, chairperson of Bruce Presbytery Joyce Osborne, speaker Betty Elliott, clerk of session Kathleen Hunter, musical guests Michelle Liddle, Mackenzie Carruthers, Lacey Murray, John Kelly and Brontae Hunter, as well as pipers John Farrell and Jennifer Farrell, organist Stacey Dahmer and pianist Joan Kirkham.

During the service, Mary Wilkinson, president of the Bruce Presbyterial United Church Women (UCW), presented life memberships to Joan Gillespie and Sandra MacDonald.

John Farrell and Sandra MacDonald, wearing proper period costume, offered a brief history of the church.

In 1854-1856, a fine group of people from the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, settled to the southeast of the current church. About the same time, many Irish Methodists cut trees and built log cabins closer to Lake Huron by the Pine River. During these years, families met in each other's cabins to have meetings once on Sunday, and prayer meetings twice during the week.

In 1856, land was offered by Edward Creech at no charge for a new church to be built, but the community felt the land should be purchased. The sum of 25 cents for the half-acre was agreeable to all. The log house of worship was located just south of the current building. The name Bethel was suggested by William Harrison and adopted.

In 1871-1872, a new modern frame church was built just north of the log church. While they were building the new church, the log one burned down and scorched one side of the new one.

About a year later, the ministers circuit of Bervie, Clarks, Pine River and Purple Grove was formed. The parsonage was built on the 8th concession in 1889, and the Women's Missionary Society (WMS) was organized in 1908.

In 1912, the Mission Band and Baby Band were organized. The young people's group, named the Epworth Society, operated during the First World War with up to 90 members at one time.

Bethel was linked with the Kincardine Methodist Church in 1922 and the WMS created the quilt hanging in the entrance of the church. It lists more than 200 area people and has made its way to California and back. The Bethel parsonage was sold.

In 1925, Bethel Methodist became Bethel United as part of the United Church of Canada. The following year, the Bethel-Pine River circuit was formed and the memorial windows in Bethel Church were donated.

A new electric organ was purchased in 1950 and paid for by subscriptions. The new manse was built in 1951 at Pine River, with Bethel paying one-third the cost. It was sold and moved in 2006, across from the First Methodist parsonage.

In 1956, the 100th anniversary of Bethel had twice as many people outside as inside for the morning and evening services. The preceding Saturday night congregational supper fed 300 people.

Bethel Church was destroyed by fire in 1963, and was rebuilt in 1964, at a total cost of $25,000.

In 1965, the Bethel Sunday School concert featured a fashion show from Hollywood, with Ronnie Funston as the bride, Paul Farrell as the glamorous girl, Johnny Walden as the school girl, Murray Thompson in an evening gown, Fred Henderson in a street dress, and Doug Tout in pedal pushers. Jim Elliott step-danced to everyone's delight.

In 1996, the first annual Bethel Chicken Barbecue was held. Ten years later, more than 900 diners were served at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre.

Also of note, Harry Graham was choir leader for 33 years, and Mary Courtney was organist for more than 40 years.

Bethel UCW began in January, 1962. The ladies meet the first Tuesday of every month at the church or in their homes. Their purpose was to unite all the women of the church and provide a medium through which they may express their loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian witness, study, fellowship and service.

Guest speaker Betty Elliott talked from the Book of Ruth, with her message entitled "Wither Thou Goest".

To all who believe in Jesus Christ, He is our kinsman-redeemer, said Elliott, just as Boaz was for Ruth when she needed him.

Jesus told His followers to go and preach, teach and heal in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

"Two-thousand-plus years later, that message is the same," she said, "and it applies to His followers today. Go and make disciples of all the nations. Visit the sick, bring hope to the dying, testify and witness."

She dedicated her message to two special brothers-in-law, Bert and Jim Elliott.

Holy Communion was celebrated, followed by the official Declaration of Closure of Bethel United Church.

Following the service, the crowd enjoyed a meal served by caterer Marjorie Nicholson and entertainment by Boyd's Orchestra. 

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Saturday, August 21, 2010