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This congregation began worshiping together in 1865 under a brush arbor on property owned by its founding pastor, the Rev. Phillip Burrell. In 1877, Phillip and Jane Burrell deeded one acre of their land at this site to the trustees of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. After additional land was purchased, the congregation constructed a permanent house of worship here in 1894, under the leadership of the Rev. Martin Reece (1859-1942), who served the church as pastor for 59 years. During the pastorate of the Rev. W. D. Dowe (1893-1957), a new brick church was built in 1952 to house the growing congregation. Growth continued under the leadership of the Rev. J. H. Holland (1901-1969) from 1958 to 1961 and the Rev. T. H. Foster (1914-1975) from 1962 to 1968. The congregation expanded its ministries in the latter half of the 20th century to include community service, education, Sunday morning television broadcasts and outreach over the Internet. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church has sponsored a number of its members for the ordained ministry. The congregation added a fellowship hall and education building in 1992. Members of this church have included Crockett civic leaders, educators and public officials. A significant part of the community's social and religious history, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church retains the ideals and traditions of its founders while looking to the future for growth and expansion. (2001) |
