City Directories and History:
Bell’s Chapel (Methodist) was located about 300 yards off the Antreville-Lowndesville road a mile and a half south of Antreville. Carlton learned from its members that it dated from 1855, and its first pastor was the Rev. W.W. Jones. One of the older members told him that it was given its name because Dr. John Bell donated the church lot. Another member that that “the first building was used as a ‘Union church’ by the different denominations.”
The Press & Banner, October 6, 1886, reported that the Rev. S.J. Bethea was conducting meetings in the first charges in his Abbevile circuit which included Bell’s Chapel where it said that a congregation was “recently organized.” but the work had to be held ‘in open air until a building could be put up.” In August 31, 1887, the paper noted “an unusual occurrence Tuesday at Bell’s Chapel at the close of a ten day meeting held by the Rev. S.J. Bethea, i.e., the taking into full membership of sixty members, together with the baptism of forty five or fifty of those same members. The new church was organized at that place.”
The story which Carlton garnered from its members in 1939 was that there had been a building there from 1857 to 1891 when ‘it was blown down by a wind storm,” and it had been used as a school building. A new building was put up about 1891, a rectangular frame structure (36′ by 42’), and in 1918, its wooden steps were replaced with concrete ones. In 1939, the Rev. J.H. Manly, Abbeville RFD #1, had been its pastor since 1935, and its membership was about 260. (Ben Carlton’s WPA Sketches & Notes, as compiled by Lowry Ware)
Biography of Rev. S.J. Bethea
Rev. Samuel Joseph Bethea was born in Marion County, S.C., October 7, 1857. His father was the Rev. Samuel J. Bethea who for forty five years lived and preached the Gospel as a local minister. His mother Elizabeth A. Bethea was one of the excellent of earth. Reared in a pious Methodist home our brother was early brought into the Church, and converted to God. In youth he was with a call to preach. Finally this became a conviction. Giving himself to for Divine guidance made the decision and peace filled his soul received license to preach, and in December 1883, was received into South Carolina Conference. He served at the following:
- 1884-1885, Parksville
- 1886-1888, Abbeville Circuit
- 1889-1891, Bethel, Spartanburg
- 1892-1893, Darlington Circuit
- 1894-1897, Lake City
- 1898-1899, Mullins
- 1900-1901, Verdery
- 1902-1905. Brownsville
- 1906-1908, Lake City
- 1909, Fort Mill
- 1910-1912, Blenheim
- 1913-1914, Lynchburg
In all his labors were blessed of God in the conversion of sinners and the addition of many to the Church. He was also instrumental in the building of a parsonage and several churches His ministry has been successful.
Brother Bethea was educated in the schools of his native county – and these are of rare excellence. A year was spent by him in Vanderbilt University, his studies being in both the literary and theological departments. These only began his mental development. He has studied while preaching the Gospel to those to whom he was sent.
Our brother’s sermons are prayerfully prepared, simply planned, clearly and earnestly delivered under the power of the Holy Spirit. His experience of the things of God is sincere and satisfying, and he speaks from the heart as well as from the head. His pastoral duties are faithfully discharged. His kind sympathetic spirit gives him access to the people, and he uses the opportunity to their comfort and help. As a man, he is true and fearless, devoted and unselfish, a man to be relied upon in difficult days as well as when the sun shines.
On December 12, 1879, he married Miss Nannie J Bethea. He and she were schoolmates in childhood – and even then were sweethearts. This lasted through the years and they married – only to love each other more and more as time passed. She has known much sickness and suffering but these afflictions made them dearer to each other. One child was born of this union – Samuel J Bethea Jr.
When the Day of Days comes there will be revealed a life of such single mindedness and such fidelity to God and man that many might covet the Divine approval which will be accorded Samuel Joseph Bethea! The writer knows him and knew his people before him. (Twentieth Century Sketches of the South Carolina Conference, M.E. Church, Watson Boone Duncan, Columbia, South Carolina: State Company, 1914)
Additional Links
- Bells Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery (Find-a-grave)
- Rev. Samuel Joseph Bethea (Find-a-grave)
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