History of Bethel Baptist Church
From its founding, Bethel has had a rich history. Four churches were planted in the 1800s – New Bethel Missionary Baptist, Hertford First Baptist, Edenton First Baptist and Bertie Baptist. A very unique concept called an intentional church split was used to plant three of the four churches. Each time, the church set a membership goal. Once the goal was reached, the congregation was split in half and one half was commissioned to plant a new church. Pastor/elders and deacons were trained and sent with the group, equipping each church with leadership as they were planted. Bethel has always been made up primarily of farmers, fisherman, tradesmen and their families. The Chowan Association and the state SBC magazine, The Biblical Recorder, both started out of the congregation of Bethel Baptist Church.