Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

Bethel Baptist Church celebrates 200 years

Bill Yarbrough has been a member of Bethel Baptist Church of Caseyville since 1993 and believes that it isn't a coincidence that the church has lasted 200 years.

"God is honoring the people who founded and sacrificed for the church," said Yarbrough, who is from Fairview Heights.

Bethel Baptist Church was one of the first churches to be settled in the area and is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.

It all began in 1786 when one of the church's founders, James Lemen Sr., and his family joined the Ogle family in the settlement of New Design, near the present town of Waterloo in Monroe County.

The church was formed on Dec. 9, 1809, by James Lemen Sr. and his wife Catherine, Robert Lemen and his wife Hetty, Joseph Lemen and his wife Polly and Benjamin Ogle. It was known then as the Baptist Church of Christ Friends of Humanity at Canteen Creek.

A reason that the Lemen family moved to New Design was to oppose the introduction of slavery in the territory, which became an important stand that the church took.

"The church decided that no one could be a member of the church if they were pro-slavery," Pastor Mike Evans said.

Evans, who has been presiding in the church since 2001, said the church participated in the Underground Railroad. According to a statement in a report of the church's history, slaves were hidden in a crawl space accessible by a trap door that had been cut in the floor. The church building that had the trap door was demolished in 1981.

The church has had three buildings, but before a church was built, services were held in rotation at members' homes. When the congregation grew, a meeting house was established in 1825 and it was called Bethel. An even larger building was needed, so a barnlike structure was built in 1840, the building that housed the trap door. The current building was dedicated in 1977 and is adjoined to the old Bethel School.

Some longtime church members can remember other changes that have taken place.

"We got indoor plumbing and AC for one thing," Lola Schultz said, laughing.

Schultz has been a member of the church for 50 plus years along with fellow members, Maxine Leach and Shirley McCain.

McCain said a big difference is they used to have two morning church services instead of one. Leach considers the music to be a big change because it's more modern.

The people and the church services is what keeps them coming back.

"It (the church) is small and has a close-knit group," McCain said. "We're like a family."

Other church members agree, including John Calandro, of Caseyville, who said the church has lasted because of the pastors, faithful Bible teaching and the faithful members.

"I've been coming here since '69," Calandro said. "It's a great church and it ministers the people."

Evans said a two-day anniversary event earlier this month brought a large crowd. The first day was the hosting of Frontier Days. Guests enjoyed demonstrations including candle making, quill pen writing, quilting and games that were played in the 1900s. An education exhibit included historical artifacts and photos, a book of recorded church minutes, an Underground Railroad display and a cemetery tour. Guests also enjoyed a Tribute to 200 Years of Music, pony rides, a buffalo petting zoo and food.

The following day, church service went from 10 a.m. to noon followed by a dinner held at the Caseyville Community Center. Special guests were former pastors Harry Lassley, Robert Pulcher and John Heater.

Although the official anniversary date is in December, the church held the two-day ceremony in October because of better weather conditions.

The church is deciding how to celebrate in December and Evan's wife, Julie, said they may have an open house.

Pastor Evans is the 35th pastor to preside in the church. He moved from Decatur with his family and said he came to Bethel Baptist because of the "lord's calling."

The church has between 65 and 75 members and they receive new members often. Bethel Baptist helps bring families and the community together through different outreach programs and events including vacation Bible study, Christmas holiday dinner and missionaries. An upcoming event that the church is hosting is the Trunk-of-Treats for Halloween.

"It's an outreach program started four years ago for children of rural areas to have a place to get candy on Halloween," Evans said.

Members spoke about the goodness of the church and its history, and when asked why the church lasted so long, perhaps the simplest answer given was by Julie Evans when she said, "God."

With the centennial and the bicentennial marks behind the Bethel Baptist Church of Caseyville, church members look forward to the tricentennial with 100 more years of rich history.