History

The earliest history of Bethel Church appears in “The History of Columbiana County” published in 1879. That brief history is incomplete and doesn't give a complete history of Bethel Church 184 years later.

All six previous histories checked use the date 1830. But, the denominational Year Book and the history of the Lutheran church in Georgetown use the date 1839 for the organization of Bethel Church.

By 1830 the settlers of this area formed a congregation which met in homes and most likely was serviced by Lutheran or Reformed preachers who passed by. Then in 1839 under the influence of Rev. Peter Herbruck this congregation became the “Evangelische Reforiert and Lutheranische Kirche” and was entered in the Reformed Church records. At first Bethel Church and Lutheran Church in North Georgetown shared pastors. Rev. H.G. Herrington, Rev. Samuel Seacrist and Rev. Gottlieb Ziegler are named in the histories of both churches.