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     The birth of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church came about during a most trying time, the Civil War.

     In the year of our Lord 1840, a gallery was built in the white Bethel Church for slaves to worship in. 

     The years of the Civil War spelled trouble for the black slave membership in the white Bethel Church. Many Blacks stayed away from the church because of the Civil War trouble. They were afraid to leave their homes for fear of being captured or killed by soldiers roaming about in the area. They felt safe on the master's farmland or in the master's home.

 

     A committee was sent out from the white Bethel Church to lure the slaves back to the church. Many did not return. They passed a by-law stating that those who did not come back would cease to be a member or their name would be stricken from the book.

     A few years later, the New Bethel Baptist Church was founded by the Reverend Peter Pringle in the year of our Lord 1874. New Bethel Baptist Church was located on the Nettles' Plantation near Bethel Branch with Deacon Charlie H. Dwyer, Clerk. The Board of Deacons was Nat Nathaniel Sr., Nathan Amos Sr., and Andy F. Dwyer. The church progressed tremendously under the leadership of Reverend Peter Pringle until his death.

     Then the Church elected Reverend Alexander J. Johnson as Pastor, with Deacon Charlie H. Dwyer, Clerk. The Board of Deacons was Sam Wells, Michael Nathaniel Jr. and Hillard Burns. Reverend A.J. Johnson brought a spirit of religious revival to the church and community.

     The Church rebuilt in the year of our Lord 1906 under the ministry of Reverend Alexander J. Johnson, with Deacon Michael Nathaniel as Clerk. Later, a Trustee Board and Sunday School was organized.

     Shortly thereafter, Reverend Louis C. Crafton was elected as Pastor, with Charlie H. Jackson as Clerk. The church membership grew rapidly during this time.

     In the year of our Lord 1918, the Church elected Reverend James P. Garrick as Pastor, with Deacon Anderson Amos Sr., Clerk. The Board of Deacons was Michael Nathaniel, Anderson Amos Sr., James Hastie, Ed Wright, Hillard Burns, Primus Wilder, Paul Williams, Ben Butler, and Charlie Brown. Brother Thomas Ford served as Trustee Board Chairman, and Deacon H. Burns as Church Treasurer. After the death of these two, Brother Eddie Rose became the Trustee Chairman and Brother Kingdom Ford served as Church Treasurer for many years, until his resignation due to poor health. Several events took place under the leadership of Reverend James P. Garrick.

     In the year of our Lord 1923, the membership continued to grow, and Leevy Washington became Clerk.

     In the year of our Lord 1925, the church was destroyed by fire.

     In the year of our Lord 1926, the membership dropped, and worship services were held at the Bracey Schoolhouse while the church was being rebuilt. Records show that a tract of land consisting of 1 acre was purchased for $50.00 and other considerations from H. Drane Tindal and Eva B. Tindal in August of 1926. Trustees at this time were Paul M. Williams, Ed Spann, Ed Rose, Pleasant Burns, Lowy Bums, James Hasty, and Able Dwyer.

     In the year of our Lord 1927, the Church was completed, ready for worship, and membership began to increase. It was a frame church located on Route 2, Highway 15 South of Sumter.

In the year of our Lord 1928, Deacon M. Nathaniel was Church Board Chairman of the Wateree Baptist Convention which met at the church under Moderator Reverend J.A. Mack.

   In the year of our Lord 1930, after the death of Brother Leevy Washington, Deacon Titus J. Hastie Sr. was elected Clerk.

     The years between 1930 and 1939, the membership declined because of the depression.

     In the year of our Lord 1946, Reverend James P. Garrick died.

    In the fall of the year of our Lord 1946, Reverend Roosevelt W. Stallings was elected as Pastor. The Board of Deacons was Primus Wilder, Chairman, Titus J. Hastie Sr., Clerk, Leander Wright, Marant Colclough, Ben Butler, Paul Williams, Ebenezer Ealey, Johnny Billups and Cass Singleton. Brother David Hastie was elected as Trustee Board Chairman. Then Brother James Blair was elected as Trustee Board Chairman, and Brother Ezekiel Hastie, Assistant Chairman. Brother Harrison Neal Jr. was elected as Church Treasurer. He served until his resignation in the year of 1954. Reverend Roosevelt Stallings pastored the church for nine years. Between 1947 and 1954, New Bethel continued to grow in membership.

     In the year of our Lord 1955, Reverend Lucious E. Daniels was elected as Pastor until his death on June 28, 1975. Deacon Primus Wilder was Board Chairman until his death in 1967. Deacon Paul Williams Sr. was elected Board Chairman, and was assisted by Deacon Taft Gaymon Sr. Brother Charles Riley was elected Church Treasurer and Deacon Dewey Neal, the Assistant Clerk.

     In the year of our Lord 1975, Reverend Ernest D. Dargan was called as Pastor. He served until 1979. The Chairman of the Board of Deacons was Taft Gaymon Sr. until his death in 1978. Then Deacon Willie Hastie Sr. was elected Board Chairman, and Deacon Titus Hastie Sr. was elected Assistant Board Chairman. Other Deacons were Ferdinand Burns Sr., Dewey Neal Sr., Otis Hodge Sr., Daniel Bennett Jr., Willie Hastie Jr., Ben  Butler, and Raymond Johnson. Under the leadership of Reverend Ernest Dargan, the present New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church was erected in the year of our Lord 1976.

   In the year of our Lord 1979, Reverend Charles H. Davis was called as Pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. The Board of Deacons were Willie Hastie Sr., Chairman, Titus J. Hastie Sr., Clerk, Dewey Neal, Assistant Clerk, Otis Hodge Sr., Ben Butler, and Ferdinand Bums Sr. Other officers at this time were Brother James Blair, Trustee Chairman, Brother Ezekiel Hastie, Assistant Chairman, and Brother Charles Riley, Church Treasurer.

     Under the leadership of Reverend Charles H. Davis, the east wing of the Church was completed, and several new auxiliaries and clubs were organized. The New Bethel Program Council was organized in 1980 and the C.B. Davis Choir was organized in 1981 with Deacon D. Bennett Jr., President. The Pastor's Aid Club was organized in 1981, with Deacon C.E. Gillard, President. The Youth Choir was organized in 1982 with Sister C. Andrews and Sis. L. Burns as Advisors. The Church Constitution was adopted in 1983 under the leadership of Pastor Davis.

     In addition, Bible Study was reorganized in 1980, and Prayer Services were changed to Wednesday evenings. Two new deacons were added to the Board of Deacons, Deacon C.E. Gillard, and Deacon James Amos. Two new trustees were added to that Board, Brother I. McCullum and Brother M. Crump. The Deaconess Club was organized in 1982, with Sister W. Johnson, President.

The New Bethel Baptist Church was growing immensely in religious spirit and christian education under the leadership of Reverend Charles H. Davis.

     In 1986, Reverend Julius C. Moore was called as Pastor. The members of the Deacon Board were Titus Hastie Sr., Ferdinand Burns Sr., Otis Hodge Sr., Raymond Johnson, Nokomis Jackson Jr., Daniel Bennett Jr., Chairman, Collins E. Gillard, Morris Crump, and Isaac McCullum Sr. Other officers at that time were Bro. James Blair, Trustee Chairman, Bro. Oscar Pack, Treasurer, Sis. Brenda J. Hastie, Clerk, and Deacon Dewey Neal, Assistant Clerk.

     Under the leadership of our present Pastor, Reverend J.C. Moore, was the burning of the church mortgage in January 1988. Bro. Jesse Glencamp was Acting Treasurer for 1989. In 1990, Sis. Lula Burns was elected Treasurer and elected to the Board of Trustees along with Sis. Brenda J. Hastie. They were the first female trustees. Three new deacons were added to the Board of Deacons, Deacon Jesse Glencamp, Deacon Ezekiel Hastie, and Deacon James Hodge. Prior to Deacon James Hodge's election to the Deacon Board, he served as Trustee Chairman. In 1991, Sis. Tonia Burns and Sis. Gwenda Pringle was elected Assistant Clerks. In the year of our Lord, Trustee Ferdinand Burns Jr., was elected Trustee Board Chairman. Under his leadership, four female trustees were elected: Gloria McFadden, Mary B. Gillard, Bernadetta James, and Willie Mae Clem. In 1993, Deacon Calvin K. Hastie Sr. was elected to the Deacon Board. In 1995 two new trustees were added to the trustee board, Doris H. Fulwood and Ernest McKenzie. In 1996, David Brown was added to the Trustee Board. Also, in 1996 Deacon Luke Bracey was added to the Deacon Board. In 1997 Riley Bracey was added to the Trustee Board. In the month and year of our Lord December 1997, our Pastor, Reverend J.C. Moore retired.

     In the month and year of our Lord March 1998 Rev. Willie A. Wright, Jr. was voted in as our new Pastor. Also in 1998, Deacon Calvin K, Hastie became Chairman of the Deacon Board.