Bethesda Presbyterian Church (Edwards, Mississippi)

Bethesda Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian Church in America congregation in Edwards, Mississippi. The church was founded in 1826, and it is among the 50 oldest churches in the PCA.[1]

History

Zebulon Butler came to organize the church in 1828 with eight charter members. Bethesda Presbyterian Church was chosen as the name of the new congregation. A charter member, Mr. Wells donated his property for a meeting place. In 1832, the cypress wood property was finished, however it burned in 1927. The current sanctuary was built during the 100th anniversary year of Bethesda.

The congregation began to grow under Rev. John M. Campbell's ministry; almost 120 people joined between 1860 and 1865. Bethesda joined the Southern Presbyterian Church when the denomination was formed.

The church faced dwindling membership a number of times. Once a Methodist pastor preached for two years, between 1863–65, because no Presbyterian minister was available. Today the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi supplies a preacher each week.

Bethesda joined the PCA in 1973.[2] It is a member of the Mississippi Valley Presbytery.[3]

The church building is located at 6688 Canada Cross Road, in Edwards, Mississippi.[4]

References
  1. http://pcahistory.org/churches/fiftyoldest.html
  2. www.bethesdapca.org/p/history.html Archived March 5, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  3. http://msvalley.org/churches
  4. www.bethesdapca.org/p/contact_30.html Bethesda PCA website Archived March 5, 2014, at the Wayback Machine

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