[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7748]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 9, 2014

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to 
extend my sincere congratulations to the congregation of Bethel Baptist 
Church in Vienna, Georgia as the church's membership and leadership 
celebrate a remarkable 150 years. The congregation of Bethel Baptist 
Church will celebrate this very significant anniversary with a 
celebration on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at the church in Vienna, Georgia.
  Tracing its roots back to the Civil War era, the church was founded 
in 1864 as a brush arbor church by Reverend Randolph Beach. Along with 
Rev. Beach, Deacons William Cobb, E.D. Brown, Sandy Nealy, and Adam 
Lewis cut logs and rolled them together to form seats. The building was 
called Bethel.
  During the first year, Rev. Beach and the members purchased the one 
acre of land on which the church still sits today. The first church 
built on this land was a ``shanty'' church. The membership continued to 
increase and Rev. Beach served as pastor for eighteen years until he 
was called home to be with the Lord.
  Rev. Beach was succeeded by Rev. Nathan Brown, who facilitated 
improvements to the church's structure. Rev. Brown resigned and was 
succeeded by Rev. Daniel Amica, who then resigned after one year. Rev. 
Brown returned to Bethel and continued to serve for eighteen more years 
until he was called from labor to reward.
  Rev. Brown was succeeded by Rev. Amos Reid, a strong and beloved 
leader. For the next several years, the church was served by a number 
of pastors, each leaving their lasting mark on the church in some form 
or fashion. Perhaps the most notable were Reverend S.P. Miller, who 
advocated for a brick building to be erected, resulting in the 
foundation of the present brick structure being laid, and Rev. C.S. 
Wilkins, who continued the work by raising money to complete the 
erection of the brick building. The main auditorium and a tower, which 
cost $10,000, were built, and a seven-hundred-pound bell was installed. 
Rev. Wilkins, who had stepped up to lead the church at a time when it 
was experiencing difficulties, set high goals for Bethel Baptist 
Church. He instituted many internal changes, including organizing the 
membership into clubs, which raised the spirit and morale of the 
church. The membership was very sorry to see him resign due to his poor 
health.
  Throughout the years, the church would continue to improve both 
aesthetically and spiritually under the leadership of several devoted 
pastors. In May 1957, Rev. Moses A. Lee became pastor of Bethel Baptist 
Church. The church was transformed during the first twelve months of 
his pastorate and continued to make progress under his remarkable 
forty-one year tenure.
  In September 1998, longtime Bethel member and ordained deacon, Rev. 
Dr. Bobby G. West, accepted the pastoral invitation and continues to 
serve as pastor today. He and his family not only serve the church and 
its members, but also work hard to serve the surrounding community 
through an active and expansive outreach ministry.
  The story of Bethel Baptist Church, which began as a small group of 
people worshipping in a brush arbor 150 years ago and has grown into an 
expansive and successful church, is truly an inspiring one of the 
dedication and perseverance of a faithful congregation of people who 
put all their love and trust in the Lord.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute 
to the membership of Bethel Baptist Church in Vienna, Georgia for their 
long history of coming together through the good and difficult times to 
praise and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and for serving the 
community through Him.

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