Our Story started over 170 years ago, in November of 1853 when the Beech Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church was organized with 20 members. The first service was held in a log church located on a plot of land donated by Aaron Houser at 2505 E. Loy Rd. Thirteen years after the start of the church, the first Sabbath school was held. In 1893, the old log church was moved a short distance west and a new building was erected, which we currently worship in.  It’s also interesting to note, in 1907, a 20 year-old Houser descendant fell ill and requested that upon his death, $50 would be given to the church.  Subsequently, the bell was purchased with this gift and is still in use today.  In 1917, the church building was raised and a social room was built under the entire structure. Men and boys of the church, as well as neighbors and friends in the community did the digging with pick and shovel.  In June of the following year, a special patriotic program was held where all gathered in front of the church for a group picture.  There were 187 people in that picture, which still hangs in the church today.  Skip ahead over 40 years later, in 1959, the decision was made and work began to construct an addition which would include 4 classrooms, restrooms and furnace room.  For the next 60 plus years, the church building has received maintenance and upgrades, but for the most part remains the structure that our forefathers built decades ago.

The church family at Bethel truly appreciates the charm and the historical story of this little country church nestled in the cornfields of Miami County.  However, the church is so much more than the building.  It is the feeling of those who sit in these pews, that they are a family who come together to care and support each other.  The reason their love is so strong in this building is because it is first and foremost filled with the love of God.  As they have served the community for over 170 years, the people in this church have spread much love throughout the area.  Yet when they gather today, they know that what is most important is they gather to worship God and to grow spiritually in their Christian love.