The annual memorial service at Old Bethel Church will be held Sunday, August 26 at 11 a.m.

     Held once a year, usually on the last Sunday in August, the service will begin with the invocation by Winston L. McKay, and a solo by Mrs. Steven Haines. A. Mackay-Smith will introduce William "Billy" R. Thompson, president and owner of White Post Restorations, who will speak on "pride in Clarke County."

     Following Thompson's address, Paul A. Yates will render a solo, and the Scripture lesson will be read, followed by the hymn, Faith of Our Fathers. The memorial sermon will be delivered by Rev. Harry C. Rickard, a retired lieutenant colonel of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, whose subject is They Built a House of God Here.

     This will be followed by another solo by Mrs. Haines during the annual offering, the Doxology, the hymn, God Be With You, and the benediction by Mr. McKay. Mrs. Ann Hudson is the organist.

     Following the services, a picnic lunch is held on the lawn of the church to which the public is invited.

     The trustees and members of the advisory board are requested to attend a short meeting in the church after the picnic lunch.

     The church's board of trustees is composed of Harold Hawkins, Mrs. David G. Macdonald, A. Mackay-Smith, J. Brownley McKay, A. Garland Williams, Rev. J. L. B. Williams and Mrs. Mae Withers.

     The advisory board is composed of Rev. Carroll C. Goodridge, Mrs. T. Haliburton McCoy, Beverley T. McKay, Winston L. McKay, Donald A. Myers, Eric S. G. Reid and Mrs. Edith W. Rodgers.

     The fourth Sunday in August is always the date of the annual service of Old Bethel, once a thriving church in the southern end of the county. Services, however, were discontinued in the 1930's and are now held once a year.

     Whatever the reason for the discontinuance of services, at Old Bethel as an active church in our community, there remains a number of people who have an interest in this old edifice, sufficient to plan a service of worship there annually. Known as Old Bethel Meeting House, established on God's Acre on the Hill, the old church still stands as a beacon of light that welcomes it's parishioners.

     Bethel is old. There are certain documents in existence that there was a church on this site as early as 1765. It is said that the first building was replaced by a log structure in 1790. This second church was destroyed by fire in 1827 and replaced three years later by the present building.

     Thus the present church has stood for a period of 154 years, since 1827. While noting that Old Bethel has unchanged for over a century, there have been changes made inside. The gallery where once sat slaves and free servants during the early days, has long since been removed. The hand pump organ still exists, as does a handsome pewter communion service, and two alcoves where stoves stood.

     Through early times, through the Civil War and later into the 20th century, Old Bethel stood as a place of worship for over 200 years. But modern times, motorized transportation and good roads eventually closed the church which stands on a back country road off an arterial highway.

     This fine old edifice will live on as long as there are descendants of old congregation members living. The church has survived a long time, its doors still open once a year for homage we pay to God. It is a part of Clarke County history, our heritage, and the people who keep it open once a year have made it a living church which will never die.