Beth-Eden Evangelical Lutheran Church Newberry, SC Organized 1843 150th Anniversary - 1993 Dedication To the Glory of God and with appreciation and affection we dedicate this book to Our founding fathers and ancestors, Our former pastors, and Our loyal members who have labored trhough the years to procalim and to hear the Word of the Lord; and to Our present emmbers and our Pastor, Rev. Rodney Gunter; and also to Rev. Herbert L. Wood, Jr., whose vision made this book and celebration a challenge for us.  Name:  The name Beth-Eden is mentioned in the Bible in Amos 1:5.  It is usually listed as Eden, Betheden, or Beth-Eden. Location:  Beth-Eden is located in Newberry County, six miles north of Newberry off the Old Whitmire Road on S.C. 36-481 Present Pastor:  Rev. Rodney Gunter 1993 Church Council:  President - Rev. Rodney gunter Vice President - R. Samuel Franklin Secretary - Johnny Smith Other Members - Edward Chandler, Pearl Oxner Church Treasurer:  Wayne Folk Organist:  Ellie Jane Wise Sunday Worship Service:  9:30 am, with Sunday School at 8:45 am Beth-Eden's Early History At a meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of South Carolina and adjacent states held at St. Mark's in 1842, a resolution was passed appointing Rev. G. H. Brown missionary to labor at Liberty Hill station and in the surrounding country. In discharging his duty of exploration he found in the neighborhood where Beth-Eden now stands several Lutheran families anxious to worship God according to the faith and  customs of their forefathers. And, though few in number and in moderate circumstances, they were willing to undertake the erection of a house of worship. On March 9, 1842, 4.4 acres of land was surveyed, and on April 19, 1843, it was deeded to Jacob Baker for Beth-Eden Church by W. W. McMorris. the church bought 1.25 acres from Thomas Chandler (1805-1878) for $25.25. Jacob Barre gave two strips of land, each a fraction of an acre, to the church at different times. In a short time their church was completed at a cost of $600. A congregation was organized, and the house was dedicated The originial Beth-Eden Church Building to the service of God on the second Sunday in September 1843. Rev. G. H. Brown, Rev. John C. Hope, and Rev. Herman Aull officiated at the dedication. Among those received into the congregation were the following heads of families: Messrs. George A. Sligh, Henry W. Rikard, Nicholas Summer, John Sligh, William W. Houseal, Jacob Barre, Jacob Baker, Joseph Baker, William Werts, and Jacob Enlow. Jacob Barre and Jacob Baker were elected Elders at the organization. Rev. G. H. Brown served the church from the time of its organization till the fall of 1845, when he resigned and moved to the state of Mississippi. His salary while at Beth-Eden had been $100 per year. In 1847, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. E. A. Bolles, a parsonage was built on the church lot at a cost of $600. In 1858 the members decided to enlarge and entirely remodel the church house. A committee consisting of John P. Kinard, John P. Aull, and J. Hilary Sligh was appointed to supervise the work which cost $1,300. The female members of the congregation furnished the church with a sofa, table, chairs, lamps, and carpet. 1859 Synod Meeting The annual convention of the Synod met at Beth-Eden Church for six days beginning on October 27, 1859. Rev. Samuel Bouknight was President of the Synod at this time. In his President's report, he stated: "We assemble for the two-fold purpose of being together as an organized portion of Christ's Church and to confer with each other in mutual consent, living like those that have but one head, and praying like those that possess one heart." He also thanked God "that the yellow fever epidemic had not visited the sea port towns in the bounds of our Synod. " Twenty eight delegates, four licentiates, and lay delegates representing twenty "charges" were present. The Synod in 1859 included churches in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. Several" mission" churches were reported on at this meeting: One in Charleston, one in Orangeburg, and one in Frog Level (now Prosperity), Newberry District. This church is now Grace, Prosperity. The concluding words of retiring President Samuel were "From all that I have been able to learn of the state of our ch~hes, I say to you that where the Word of God has been faithfully preached and the Sacraments administered, our churches. have not only maintained but improved. " A hundred years later, in 1959, Rev. Karl W. Kinard, DD, was President of Synod. Synod met at Beth-Eden in 1850, 1859, and 1864. Beth-Eden School -Beth-Eden School 1922- Teacher - Mrs. Ethel Cromer Pupils - Fannie Koon, Rosa Lee Franklin, Toland Carlisle, Evelyn Carlisle, George Koon, Earl Franklin, Mildred Hentz, Pearl Koon, Edward Chandler, Bernard Carlisle, Frank Koon, Wycliff Carlisle, Marie King, R. C. Carlisle, Fannie Hentz. Beth-Eden School was located on the church grounds of the old Beth-Eden Church. The first school was made of logs and located near the first parsonage which was also located on the church property on the south side (now a wooded area). Children of the community walked to school. Some of the community leaders and church members were among the first pupils. These included: Chris M. Folk, Richard Carlisle, and Thom~s E. Chandler. By 1908 and with a growing enrollment, a larger school was built by Rufus Kibler, Sr. Lumber for this building was sawed on the land where the Hawkins house stood. Sawing the lumber were Joe Dominick, and Sam Derrick. The new building was a one room building heated by a pot-bellied stove. Beth-Eden and Long Lane schools were consolidated in 1925. The new brick- veneer school was located in the Long Lane community. Pupils were bussed to the new school by Herndon Hentz, a Beth-Eden member. This was the first school bus in Newberry County. The old school was used as a voting precinct for years and as a shelter and storage during barbecues. The old school deteriorated over the years and was tom down in the late 1950s. The Depression Years and Beyond When Rev. W. D. Haltiwanger was pastor (1925-1934), Mrs. Haltiwanger started "The Light Brigade" for the children. The group would meet monthly at the parsonage at 1800 College Street on Saturday afternoons for programs and a social hour. The Haltiwangers also started our Bible Schools in the summer. These were held at the church with a large attendance. Beth-Eden Bible School - 1955 Rev. M. L. Kester became pastor in 1935, and during this time Bible School was held jointly with Colony and St. James at Speers Street School in Newberry for several summers. It was while the Kesters were here that our Luther League had box parties and ice cream socials to make money to buy our communion set. We previously used a common cup. Rev. Kester also started our first Lenten services. Herndon Hentz, one of our members, would drive his school bus around the community and gather member to attend these services. As rural electricity was not yet available in our area, these services were held by lamp light. The Kesters moved on in 1943. So far as is known, Mr. William Scott Riser and Miss Pearl Goodlet were the first couple to be married in the old church. The wedding was June 6, 1907. Lewis Hayne Davis was the last baby to be baptized in the old church. He was baptized in May of 1948 by Rev. C. J. Rice. The last wedding in the old church was that of Miss Ida Mae Franklin and Mr. Andrew Berley Hawkins on April 1, 1945. This wedding was also conducted by Rev. Rice. The old wooden frame church was tom down by members of the congregation around the 20th day of May, 1948. The ladies of the church brought picnic lunch for the men who undertook to dismantle the old building. Construction on the new church was begun on July 13, 1948, under the supervision of J. Caldwell Franklin, a member. The Rev. C. J. Rice was pastor at this time. Money for the new church was raised by donations, pledges, and barbecues. The barbecues date back into the days of the old church and were supervised then by Ab Sligh. Later cooks were George O. Koon, Albert Franklin, Jack Counts, and W. S. Hentz. Also assisting were C. M. Folk, Edward Chandler, Ben H. Caldwell, Hayne Franklin, Ben Franklin, and Andrew Folk. Ladies and other members assisted in serving the tables. The last barbecue was in July of 1950. Chris M. Folk was in charge of the barbecues. The New Church The building committee members for the new church were C. M. Folk, chairman; Edward Chandler, treasurer; J. Caldwell Franklin, William H. Franklin, Jr., and J. H. Phibbs, Sr. Much of the lumber in the old church was reused in the new building as it was of good quality "heart" pine. Some pegs were found to have been used in the framework of the old church building. The sills from the old church were in good condition and were sawed up to make the window frames for the new church. During this time and until March 27, 1949 when the first service was held in the new church, services were held in the Long Lane School by Rev. C. J. Rice. The .first wedding in the new church was on April 17, 1949. Miss Maria Jane Reames and Mr. John C. Brown were married by Rev. Paul Sherrill. Following the wedding ceremony, the following babies were "aptized: Lambert Chandler, Tommy Chandler, David Folk, James Buist Franklin, and William Clyde Graham. The church was not completely fmished at this time, lacking mostly the stained glass windows. Most of the windows, pews, and other furnishings were given as memorials. Some labor on the church was donated, and some materials were salvaged from the old structure. The actual cost of the new building was between $10,000 and $12,000. The new church was brick veneer and was constructed in Gothic design. Four class rooms for Sunday School were included. The altar, pulpit, and lectern were made by Caldwell Franklin. The emblems on the altar were cut out with hand tools, as electric power tools were not widely used at this time. The baptismal font was also made by Caldwell Franklin and was paid for by Mrs. Julia Folk Crapps, one of the older members at that time. The overhead light fixtures in the church were donated by Albert McCaughrin, a local businessman. They were originally in the old Anderson's Shoe Store in Newberry. Beth-Eden, Colony, and St. James were a parish until November 1, 1958, when Colony secured a pastor to serve them alone. The Rev. T. H. Weeks was the last pastor to serve the tri-fold parish. Beth-Eden and St. James remain as a parish, currently served by Rev. Rodney Gunter. Cornerstone Laying A special service for the "Placing of the Cornerstone" in the new church was held at Beth-Eden by the Rev. C. J. Rice on Sunday, November 20, 1948. The guest speaker was the Rev. Karl W. Kinard, DD, President of the Lutheran Synod of South Carolina. Two marble tablets have been placed to the right of the entrance to the church. These tablets display the names of all who have served as pastors from the date of organization until the present time. Several outstanding laymen of the church were at one time associated with Beth-Eden. Among these was Dr. George B. Cromer, who was at one time the President of Newberry College. At one time, Beth-Eden, Colony, and St. James churches were united in a parish to form the "Beth-Eden Parish". The Rev. J. D. Kinard, DD was the first pastor to serve in this parish arrangement. He served from 1910 until 1912. Dr. Kinard was the father of the Rev. Karl W. Kinard, DD, who served as President of the Lutheran Synod of South Carolina and was guest speaker at the laying of the cornerstone for the new church. The mortgage was paid off in May, 1951. The dedication of the new church by the Rev. Karl W. Kinard, DD was held on December 3, 1951. At this service, Dr. Kinard remarked about having played among the oak trees on the church grounds as a small boy when his father was serving as pastor. Dedication of the New Addition The new addition to the present church was begun on March 5, 1990. Working on the project were Sam Franklin and Johnny Smith. The new structure includes two bath rooms, storage, hanging space for choir robes, and cabinet space for storage of cleaning materials. Sam and Johnny donated some work, and Margie and Johnny Smith donated the cabinet in the communion storage room. James Alvin Brown, Jr., although not a member of Beth-Eden, donated some labor. Mrs. Kat Dawkins, a friend of the Smiths, donated the brass door markers for the bath room doors in honor of the Smiths. Sam Franklin donated the materials and made the bathroom cabinets. Dedication services were held on September 8, 1991, with a large crowd attending. The Rev. Robert Dasher, Assistant to the Bishop of the South Carolina Synod, conducted the dedication service. The Rev. Herbert L. Wood was pastor at this time. Some Interesting Facts Captain Hamilton Hayne Folk was a captain in the Confederate Army. His grandson, Captain Hamilton Hayne Folk, was an Army Captain in World War II and, upon discharge, had attained the rank of Major. Major John P. Kinard (1810-1890) was a Captain in the Confederate States Army. He was a member of Beth-Eden and was present at the South Carolina Synod meeting at Beth-Eden on October 27, 1859. He was a signer of the Ordinance of Secession. The Drayton Rutherford Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy marked his grave with a bronze marker on May 10, 1963. A memorial marker honoring the memory of the Rev. R. J. Hungerpeler, son of the late Rev. David Hungerpeler, stands in Beth-Eden cemetery. It was erected by members of Beth-Eden Parish which included Beth-Eden, Liberty Hill, and St. Matthews churches at that time. Bluford M. Summer, M.D. (born 1838), son of Jacob and Elizabeth Kinard Summer, died on September 13, 1863, while a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware. He is buried in Beth-Eden cemetery. He was a nephew of Major John P. Kinard, signer of the Ordinance of Secession, and a grandson of Nicholas Summer, a charter member of Beth-Eden. He was graduated from Charleston Medical College in the fall of 1860. Some of the Secretaries of the early Church Council: 1860' s - J. Hilary Sligh 1870' s - John P. Aull 1874 - Capt. H. H. Folk 1901 - W. T. Cofield 1903 - S. W. Derrick At a Church Council meeting on October 29, 1909, a motion was made and carried that Lambert H. Chandler be superintendent of the church grounds and grave yard. It was documented of the Rev. Jacob Hawkins in the secretary's book that "the children of the church were dear to his heart, and he was therefore often found in the Sunday School sewing the seeds of virtue and piety in the hearts of the young". The Bible that was placed in the cornerstone of the new church was donated by Mrs. Josie Brock Franklin. It was given to her when she was a young girl by Mr. Chris M. Folk, her Sunday School teacher. During construction of the new church, a large number of members would gather at the site on Sunday afternoon to observe progress on the building during the past week. At the home coming services in June, 1978, Alan Caldwell was presented a plaque for having served as church Treasurer longer than anyone else. Rev. Lester Cutter made the presentation. A member of Beth-Eden, James D. Brown, served as Superintendent of Education of Newberry County from 1948 until 1967. Mr. Brown taught our adult Sunday School class for many years. His half-brother, Hamilton Folk, then taught the class until his death, March 16, 1979. James Phibbs, Jr., was Sunday School Superintendent during this time. Mr. Folk's son, Wayne, is teaching the class at this writing. The annex to the church cemetery was given by Arthur Gresham (Nora Cofield IS husband). The wrought-iron banisters on the front of the church were given by the "Children of the Church" (now called "Week Day Church School") at a cost of $75.00. The rock wall around the church yard was built by brothers Albert and Caldwell Franklin in 1930. Little Angela Barr (1811-1813) was reported to an older member years ago to have been the first to be buried in Beth-Eden Cemetery. She died of scarlet fever and was buried at day break to avoid a crowd gathering, as there was an epidemic at. that time. Her grave is near the fence at the back side of the cemetery. It is believed that she was buried on a strip of land belonging to Jacob Barre which he later gave to the church. Beth-Eden has a "twin sister" church in Louisville, Mississippi. Some of our members migrated to Mississippi and helped organize the church. The Rev. G. H. Brown also_helped with the organization. A brief history of that church is printed in the closing pages of this book. The flower tables on either side of the altar and the tray for receiving empty communion glasses were made by D. Earl Franklin. He also made the rail around the chimes over the front door. The Lutheran Church in America became the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in January, 1988. A new constitution was written for our church by the Council and Pastor Herbert L. Wood in 1988. All in Fun One year at a barbecue a church member was stirring a pot of pig-foot stew, and another member brought some wood to re-kindle the fire. As the present pastor walked up, the cook said firmly, "Don't bring any more wood; this fire is already as hot as h !" When Rev. Kester was pastor in the old church, a huge, thick Bible was used on the pulpit. Little DuRant Reames (about 4 years old) associated the Bible with Rev. Kester and called it "the Kester Book" . It was during construction of the new church that one Sunday we sang "Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing". One of the older members with a hearing problem commented, "We sang a thousand tons of sand today." One Sunday, Rev. Weeks was preaching about Jesus healing the lame man. He asked the question, "What did the lame man do?" Little Lambert Chandler, about 5 years old, answered, "He got up and walked." Rev. Weeks replied, "Good boy, Lambert. That showed you were paying attention. " In the process of cooking the barbecue, cooks who worked all night would take turns going into the old church to "stretch out" on a pew for a nap. It was told that some of the more energetic cooks would slip into the church to make sounds of ghosts to play tricks on the snoozing, worn out cooks. Our Service Men and Women Known Civil War Veterans Joseph Baker Capt. H. H. Folk Tom McCullough William Caldwell Gilliam Fulmer J. Glenn Rikard George Campbell Maj. John P. Kinard William Landon Waters Jessee Cornelius Dickert Bill McCullough    Known Civil War Casualties Capt. W. P. Cromer Gilliam Fulmer William Riley Franklin Lieut. T. F. Hunter D. B. Sligh Dr. Bluford Summer World War I Veterans Walter Crapps Thomas Philander Cromer John Wallace Cromer Willie Dominick World War I Casualties Arthur Baker Haskell Cromer World War II Veterans James D. Brown Gus B. Franklin Alan Caldwell William H. Franklin, Jr. Thomas Chandler William Graham Eugene Crapps Herndon Hentz Edward Folk Virgil Kester Eugene Folk Rufus Kibler Hamilton H. Folk Leila McCullough James Folk T. P. McCullough Raymond Fowler Alfred Phibbs Allen Franklin James H. Phibbs, Jr. Dan Franklin Alman Reames D. B. Franklin David Reames Luther Franklin  Edwin Reames  World War II Casualties James Hentz Olin Hentz William L. McCullough (Son of Mr. and Mrs. D. L. McCullough, Sr.) The two Hentz brothers, James and Olin, who were casualties in World War II, were the sons of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Hentz. James as lost at sea when his ship went down in the English Channel. Olin was killed in action in France. The day the Japanese surrendered and the war was over, members and Rev. M. L. Kester met at the church for a service of prayer and thanksgiving. Members Serving During More Recent Years Robert Samuel Franklin 1951-1953 Thomas S. Riley, Jr. 1951-1952 Chevis E. Franklin 1955-1956 Charles Robert Phibbs 1955-1957 Edwin DuRant Reames, Jr. 1958-1962 George Oxner 1961-1962 Lambert E. Chandler 1970-1973 John W. Smith, Jr. 1970-1974 Rev. Herbert L. Wood, Jr. 1990-1991, Persian Gulf War When Rev. Wood returned from the Persian Gulf War, Beth-Eden had a "welcome home" dinner at the church in picnic form on Sunday, May 26, 1991. A large crowd attended. A yellow ribbon on the oak tree in the front of the church was also a welcome home gesture. WELCA In 1896 the women's organization started off as the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society. In 1925, new societies were formed from a total of 108 congregations in the Synod. In 1927, the name was changed to the Women's Missionary Society of the Evangelical Synod of S. C. of the D. L. C. A. IN 1930 the name was again changed to the Women's Missionary Society. In 1955 the organization became the United Lutheran Church Women (D. L. C. W.). In 1960, the name became the Lutheran Church Women (L. C. W.). By January of 1987 we became the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (W. E. L. C. A.). Our new constitution was written in 1988. Beth-Eden's WELCA has approximately 18 members; most all are active. We have monthly meetings. Present Officers: Sarah Folk, President Ruby Phibbs, Vice President Sara Reames, Secretary Elizabeth Chandler, Treasurer (now deceased) Margie Smith, Treasurer Our projects include: Care of the altar, Flowers in the church, Cleaning church and communion ware, Visit sick in hospital and at home, Serve meals to bereaved families, Make kits for synodical projects, Support Harvest Hope and Manna House Food Banks Sponsor Christmas family dinner, Send Sunshine baskets to shut ins, Care of the shrubbery. Women of the ELCA Purpose Statement: As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, society, and the world. The Cemetery Beth-Eden Cemetery and church grounds are well maintained year 'round from a cemetery fund built up from the sale of lots, memorials, donations, and interest accumulated from the principle over the years. Edward Chandler is the Treasurer of this fund. Our Parsonages The first parsonage was built in 1847 under the leadership of the Rev. E. A. Bolles on the church property (south side of the present wooded area). The cost was $600. The second parsonage was located at 1300 Hunt Street (where Newberry County Council on Aging is now located). This house was later moved to 2317 Harrington Street. Rev. L. P. Boland was the last pastor to occupy this parsonage. The third parsonage was located at 1800 College Street. Rev. T. H. Weeks was the last of our pastors with his residence here. Rev. Grady Cooper (retired missionary and professor at Newberry College) later bought the house; Mrs. Cooper still resides there. A new parsonage was built at 2017 Forest Drive. Rev. Alvin Haigler was the first pastor to occupy this residence, and Rev. Paul Hatch was the last of our pastors to reside there. This house was sold, and the proceeds were divided appropriately between Beth-Eden and 8t. James congregations. St. James congregation then built a parsonage near their church and is sole owner of this current parsonage. Rev. Lester Cutter was the first pastor to live at this residence. Our Pastors G. H. Brown 1843-1845 William Berly 1846 E. A. Bolle 1847 William H. Fink 1848 J. B. Anthony 1849-1852 S. R. Shepherd 1852-1853 R. J. Hungerpeler 1854-1856 (died 6/30/1856) Jacob Hawkins 1847-1860 James H. Schreckhise 1861-1865 Jacob Hawkins 1866-1869 J. D. Shirey 1870-1882 Z. W. Bedenbaugh 1882-1887 W. A. Julia 1888-1892 W. K. Sligh 1892-1893 (supply; Professor at Newberry College) Unknown 1894 (no report in Synod minutes) A. J. Bowers 1895-1896 (supply; Professor at Newberry College) Unknown 1897-1899 (vacant; no supply listed in Synod minutes) Charles H. Armstrong 1900-1902 J. J. Long 1902-1903 R. E. Livingston 1903-1904 W. K. Sligh 1905 (supply) Unknown 1906 (vacant; no supply listed in Synod minutes) A. J. Bowers 1907 (supply) J. D. Shealy 1907-1909 J. D. Kinard 1910-1912 P. E. Shealy 1912-1915 L. P. Boland 1916-1924 W. D. Haltiwanger 1925-1934 M. L. Kester 1935-1943 C. J. Rice 1944-1953 T. H. Weeks 1953-1958 A. H. Haigler 1959-1961 J. L. Heyer 1962-1965 Paul Hatch 1966-1973 Lester H. Cutter 1974-1985 Herbert L. Wood Jr. 1985-1991 D. Rodney Gunter 1992-current Supply Pastors in more recent years Dr. Ted Peters 1972-1974 Dr. Francis Fesperman 1985 & other shor intervals Rev. Charles Wessinger 1992 List of Memorials Altar Cross - In memory of William and Sallie W. Caldwell By Mrs. Lillie Mae Caldwell Folk Candle Holders - In memory of Mr. R. M. Caldwell By Mrs. R. M. Caldwell Altar Vases - In memory of Mr. J. C. Crapps By Mrs. J. C. Crapps Pulpit Chair - In memory of Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Wicker By Mrs. Mattie Lou Blackmon (daughter) Pulpit Chair - In memory of Dr. A. J. Bowers, Sr. By Miss Sadie Bowers (daughter) Chimes - In memory of Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Folk By Miss Sarah Folk Eternal Light - In memory of Mrs. Catherine Graham By her family Roadside Sign - In memory of Mrs. Carrie A. Reames By Mrs. Julia Riser, Mrs. John C. Brown, and Mr. Alman Reames. Built by Scott Riser grandson) Marble Tablet (with Pastors' Names) at Entrance - In memory of Mr. D. L. McCullough, Sr., By Mrs. D. L. McCullough Beth-Eden Church Anniversary Banner - By Mrs. Elizabeth S. Chandler Banner Stand - By the Women of the Church Window - In memory of William H. Franklin, Sr. By his family Window - In memory of Silas Cromer By Miss Sallie Lee Cromer (daughter) Window - In memory of Robert H. and Ella Sligh Burton By Claude Sligh Window - In memory of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Folk By his children Window - In memory of Mary Chandler Goodlet and Pearl Goodlet Riser By Will Riser By W. T. Baker In memory of Captain H. H. and Mrs. Folk By Christian Folk (son) In memory of Lambert H. and Thomas E. Chandler By Lambert Edward and Thomas E. Chandler In honor of Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Folk By the children In honer of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Caldwell By the children In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sligh By Norman Sligh (son) In memory of Mr. Charton Cromer By the children By the Children of the Church In honor of Mr. Ben and Mrs. Mattie Caldwell By the children In honor of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Phibbs By the children In honor of Mrs. C. M. Folk By Miss Sarah Folk and Miss Lillie Mae Folk In honor of Mrs. Catherine Graham By the children In honor of Mrs. Josie Franklin By the daughters In memory of Mr. W. Hayne Franklin By the children In memory of Maude Taylor By James and Leila T. Brown Pew - In memory of Mr. J. A. and Mrs. Julia Crapps By the Phibbs family Pew - By the Chandler family Items Purchased with Memorial Money Christian Flag - In memory of T. Scurry Riley American Flag - In memory of D. Earl Franklin Large Bible - In memory of Howard H. Harrison Offering Plates - In memory of Hamilton H. Folk Choir Robes - In memory of Mrs. Ethel Cromer and Mrs. Ida Harrison Picture of Christ in the Narthex - In memory of Jacob Caldwell Franklin Other Donated Items Pulpit and Lectern Lights - By Miss Theresa McCullough First Nursery Sunday School Chairs - By Mrs. Betty Rice Boone Luther's Coat of Arms - By Joe Reames (Boy Scout/project) Needle Point Replica of Luther's Coat of Arms - By Mrs. Jane Brown Bunn (former Organist) Candle Lighter - By Mr. and Mrs. David G. Reames Hymn Board By Mr. and Mrs. David G. Reames and Mrs. Ida Mae Hawkins Bath Room Door Signs - In honor of Margie and Johnny Smith By Mrs. Kat Dawkins Holder for Candle Lighter - By David Lee McCullough Church Sign at Fork of Roads - In memory of Howard H. Harrison By Mr. and Mrs. Charles Baldridge and family Early History of Beth-Eden Lutheran Church Winston County, Mississippi Compiled by Eleanor C. Wicker of Greenville, Mississippi, with the use of information shared by Miss Nita Kinard and Mrs. Beatrice (Kinard) Harsh of Winston County, Mississippi.. Beth-Eden Lutheran congregation in Winston County, Mississippi, was organized in March, 1853, to meet the need of a group of Lutherans who had migrated to Winston County from Newberry, S. C., between 1842 and 1853. Pioneers made these trips by wagon trains which took about six weeks. They cleared land, built homes, and planted and harvested crops. They wanted to organize a Lutheran Church, since many of them were Lutherans. Jacob Baker, a charter member of Beth-Eden Newberry, migrated to Winston County in 1852. He remembered that Rev. G. H. Brown had been sent to Attala County, Mississippi, to help organize a church there. Jacob Baker wrote to Rev. Brown and appealed to him to come to Winston County and help organize a church. In March, 1853, Rev. Brown wrote rode horseback a distance of about 60 miles to Winston County. The organizing meeting was held at the voting precinct and it was decided to name the church "Beth- Eden" since that was the name of Rev. Brown I s home church in South Carolina. During the summer of 1853, Rev. Brown came back to Winston County and held a "protracted meeting" at Center Camp Ground (now Beth-Eden) which was the property of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. A number of others united with the congregation - one being John R. Crumpton. On October 10, 1853, trustees for Center Camp Ground Methodist Congregation signed a deed to Jacob Baker, William Kinard, Christian Long, and Eli Suber, trustees of Beth-Eden Lutheran Congregation, for a tract of land for the benefit of a Lutheran Church. The first church building (dating to 1854) was built of rough lumber and was unceiled. It was used until it burned in 1904 or 1905. The present structure was undertaken soon after the fire and with donated labor, lumber, and material was completed about 1907 or 1908. Rev. John Thomas Warner was the first pastor of Beth-Eden and served from 1855 to 1859. Rev. Warner was the first Lutheran pastor ordained by the Mississippi Synod. The first Mississippi Synod was organized in 1855 at New Hope Lutheran Church, Attala County, with Rev. G. H. Brown serving as the president of the Mississippi Synod. His delegate to this convention was Jacob Baker. The third convention of the Mississippi Synod met at Beth-Eden in 1857, with Rev. Warner as host pastor and H. M. Cannon as delegate. Rev. John Thomas Warner was born in Newberry District, S. C., on January 5, 1823, the son of Jacob Warner and Mary Martha Metts Warner. On March 18, 1978, Beth-Eden celebrated its 1251h anniversary. The second Sunday of May of each year is observed as Memorial or Home-Coming Day. Among the charter members (many from Newberry, S. C.) of Beth-Eden, Winston, were: Jacob and Margaret Eve (Kinard) Baker and family William and Sarah (Kinard) Kinard and family (William was one of five brothers who came) John Christian and Mary Nance Long and family Eli and Letty Suber and family Henry and Sarah Cannon and family Jacob and Mary Martha Metts Warner and family (Parents of Rev. John Thomas Warner) Peter Asbury and Mary Eleanor (Maffett) Wicker and family (It is of interest to note that Peter A Wicker and his twin brother, Jacob A., are both buried in Beth-Eden cemeteries - Peter in Mississippi and Jacob in South Carolina.) Francis and Margaret Wilson and family; daughter Jane Elizabeth and son Drayton M. Wilson Jacob Kinard  (The grandfather of the two Kinard sisters: Miss Nita and Mrs. Beatrice (Kinard) Marsh, to whom, along with Mr. and Mrs. D. H. (Eleanor) Wicker, we are deeply indebted for this information.) The charter members listed above are all listed in the 1850 Newberry County Census Book. A rich heritage has been passed to us by our founding fathers and ancestors.  Let us continue to work together, to give God the glory, and ask his guidance in proclaiming the Gospel. The Committe responsible for compliling this book thanks you for your cooperation and sincerely hopes that you will treasure this book and pass it on to following generations.  The Committe also extends its thanks to Dr. David C. Reames of Kingsport, TN (a former member), for typing this material and to Sun Printing Company of Newberry for its printing. We apologize for any names or information omitted or in error.  We asked for information and, to the best of our ability, we published it as given with research to verify facts when needed. The Historical Committee Sara F. Reames, Chairperson Elizabeth S. Chandler Pearl K. Oxner Robert Samuel Franklin In Memoriam Elizabeth Shealy Chandler It is with much sadness in our hearts and in appreciation that we honor the memory of our beloved sister in Christ, Elizabeth Shealy Chandler, who was one of the committee to compile this book.  She was active in all church activities as well as community and civic organizations.  She was truly a laborer in the Master's vineyard.  We love her and miss her. The remaining Committee Sara F. Reames Pearl K. Oxner Robert Samuel Franklin Transcribed by Dena Thomason-Whitesell Back to Newberry County, South Carolina