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Methodist Church is indebted to B. Cookman Dunkle, now in his early nineties, for all the factual data; his ancestors were among the first settlers in the vicinity, thus representing an unbroken span of time and continuity of Spiritual growth and propagation, that has been a source of rich blessings to the people of the surrounding area. So, it is in his honor this brief sketch is dedicated.
Original Church
It was during the spring of 1843 a group of earnest and devout Christian men, who were members of the Mount Nebo, Mount Hope and other nearby churches, and living in the southern end of Martie Township, felt the need of having a place of worship in the immedi-ate vicinity. They held a meeting on August 29, 1843, at which time it was decided to build a church approximately 30 by 40 feet, using native stone, and located on an approximate one acre plot of ground donated by John Creamer, situated about one mile east of McCally Ferry and one-fourth mile south of route 372 then known as Street Road. Under the direction of Reverend James Hand and his assistant, the Reverend J. O. Thomas, who were serving as Pastors of the safe Harbor Circuit, a building Committee was appointed consisting of Joseph Wentz, Esquire Christian Creamer, Lewis Wilkinson, John Wentz and the Reverend James Hand.
The building was sturdy and of plain design, with three windows on each side and two doors on the end facing the road. The Church was given the Biblical name "Bethesda" meaning a house of mercy, and was placed under the jurisdiction of the Philadelphia Methodist Conference and governed by an approved Board of Trustees, namely: William Mayberry, Henry Hart, John Wentz, Isaac Wentz, Lewis Wilkinson and Daniel D. Swift. Later, a Board of Stewards was appointed to supervise the Spiritual welfare of the church and together comprised the Official Board.
The present day comforts were lacking in the interior; the home-made seats were narrow with straight backs (a sample of which can be seen in the present church); two wood burning stoves, one on each side of the building, were the only source of heat. A long narrow bench in front of the pulpit known as the "Mourner's Bench" no doubt gave not only Spiritual comfort but physical as well to the peace-of-mind seekers as they knelt in prayer.
The Bethesda Church being a part of a 5-point circuit of the horse and buggy days, worship services were frequently conducted by one of two chosen class leaders, and Sunday School was held only during the late spring and summer months. During the Pastorate of Garbutt Read, an energetic and talented preacher and musician, a series of old fashioned revival meetings were held during 1885 to 1887, resulting in approximately one hundred new members being added to the Church membership roll. It was during this time the first organ was placed in the Church. Prior to this, all singing was done acappella.
The large increase in membership soon made it necessary to build a larger Church, and the people of the community began to voice their whole-hearted support by pledging time and material for its construction.
New Church
The new church was built in the upper left hand corner of the original plot of ground during the fall and winter of 1895 and 1896. The foundation walls were built of stone from the old church, thus giving it, as one might say, a firm physical and Spiritual foundation. The building, approximately 35 by 50 feet, was constructed of wood, the frame work of which was mostly donated and came from local forests; labor, too, was freely offered. Jesse Harner, Jerry Wimer and John Dunkle acted as the building committee with Owen Cramer as chief carpenter.
The building included a steeple. The heavy supporting timbers re-quired were a donation from William Wentz, who suggested the idea of a tower. This provided a vestibule entrance to the church as well as a suitable housing for a bell.. A fund for its purchase was in-itiated by Mrs. William McLaughlin, then residing in Fairfield and representing the owner of an original land grant from William Penn which included a large area in the vicinity of the church.
The completed church building was dedicated on May 31, 1896, and became a part of the Mount Nebo Circuit which was then cre-ated by the Philadelphia Conference. Judging from the interior fur-nishings it was obvious that the comfort of the worshippers was given added consideration in comparison to that of the early church. The decorated walls and high ceiling greatly enhanced the beauty of the Sanctuary. Later this was enlarged by a balcony in the rear of the church over the general purpose room, which then became a part of the main auditorium. At the same time memorial stained glass win-dows replaced the original clear glass ones. At various times the inter-ior has been improved and beautified, with items such as electric lights replacing the smelly oil burning lamps and a hot air furnace replaced by a steam heating system. In 1959 the whole interior of the church was re-decorated; new memorial pews with cushioned seats were installed matching the new light oak pulpit and choir furniture. The basement in the course of time was entirely excavated and is now beautifully refinished, housing a central hot water heating sys-tem, modern kitchen facilities, and lavatories. The large room is usable for social functions and the Primary Department of the Sun-day School.
Many of the improvements are traceable to the sponsorship of such active organizations, such as, The Ladies Aid Society now known as the Women's Society of Christian Service, Usher's Union, Gleaner's Bible Class, Golden Rule Bible Class, Friendly Fellows Bible Class, Young People's Bible Class and the M.Y.F. All these in co-operation with the Official Board have made the Bethesda Church a beautiful place for the worship of God offering comfort and Spiritual blessing to all who enter.
The natural setting of the Bethesda Methodist Church is one to be admired, standing like a lighthouse on the side of a hill. Bordered on the one side by a well maintained cemetery and fronted by a spacious parking area well shaded by memorial trees, it truly embodies the history of the community.
BETHESDA CEMETERY (The Passing Scene)
History has a peculiar place in the minds of average Americans. One of the mediums by which the past, the present, and the future of families are recorded is in cemeteries.
This letter deals with the rich historical lore of the Bethesda Ceme-tery located in Martic Township, Lancaster County, Holtwood, Pennsylvania.
In 1843 the land for the original Cemetery was donated to Bethesda Methodist Church and deeded to Trustees of Church by John Creamer and wife, heirs of Samuel Stevenson.
In 1853, the Trustees purchased one hundred twenty (120) perches of land from John Stevenson and wife for a sum of thirty (30.00) dollars for burial ground.
The Trustees were John Wentz, Isaac Wentz, Thomas Wentz, Josiah Patton and Josiah Heston. (Plot number 1) .
In 1896, after the construction of the present Methodist Church, Mr. Jesse Harner stated his desire to promote the welfare of said Church and for the sum of one ($1.00) dollar by donating thirty-five (35) perches of land rear of present Church for burial ground.
The Trustees accepting were Messers. John Dunkle, John D. Clark, Joseph Clark, Jesse Harner, William Galen, Joseph Harner, William Kinsey, John Carter and Jere Weimer.
In 1917 the Trustees voted to purchase one half (1/2) acre (more or less) of land now owned by John K. Campbell and Katharyne Camp-bell above Church for Cemetery-price $50.00.
The Trustees were John Dunkle, Maris Icenberger, George Harner, Hiram Stauffer, Frank Wiggins, B. Cookman Dunkle, Lindley Seiple, John Barkley and Clarence Ressler, Plot number 3.
In 1955, the Trustees voted to purchase one half (112) acre (more or less) of land now owned by Harry W. and Alice E. Hossler at rear of present Bethesda Cemetery, extending for Church Road to upper line of Plot number 2 for sum of $150.00.
The Trustees were John G. Feiler, Harry Ecklin, S. J. Myers, Raymond Pollack. H. L. Brubaker, George W. Drumm, George Brubaker, Veryl Farmer and B. C. Dunkle.
By the original tract you will find two (2) gigantic Rock Oak Trees like mighty sentinels guarding this hallowed ground. Above Church we have planted two (2) Pin Oaks as memorials. One in memory of the Reverend Garbutt Reed and the second as a tribute to B. Cookman Dunkle for a life-time of service to the Church and Cemetery. Also along Bethesda Church road we have planted eleven ( 11) split-leaf white birch trees.
We were incorporated according to law of State and received our charter on July 29, 1929, for the purpose of acquiring, establishing and maintaining a burial ground at Bethesda, Marctic Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
In 1951 we had a survey made of entire Cemetery; all rows are marked alphabetically with ceramic markers.
In 1956 We constructed an equipment building on plot Number 3 for Church and Cemetery equipment.
In 1966 we laid a macadam black-top drive from cemetery entrance to equipment building.
We hope this report will be informative to strangers visiting the area. At the same time it might serve to acquaint and inspire present day residents with knowledge of Bethesda Cemetery.
The present Cemetery Board Members are:
Honorary Members: B. Cookman Dunkle and Harry W. Ecklin John G. Feiler, President, R. D. #1, Holtwood, Pennsylvania Floyd McClenaghan, Secretary, 125 Highview Drive, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Veryl R. Farmer, Treasurer, R. D. # 1, Holtwood, Pennsylvania Clifford Boyd, Caretaker, R. D. #2, Holtwood, Pennsylvania George Brubaker, Manager, R. D. #2, Holtwood, Pennsylvania
The picturesque setting is greatly enhanced on Memorial Day when floral tributes are interspersed by many flags honoring those who served their country in time of need. For this latter memorial tribute, the community expresses its thanks and appreciation to the American Legion Post #603 of Quarryville. All these things are symbolic of the perpetual love of God in the hearts of mankind.
Prepared by authorization of the Official Board of the Bethesda Methodist Church Authenticated by records and physical facts. Secretary John G. Feiler, No longer is it necessary for the preacher to shout when his slight-est whisper can be heard. This leads one to question the merit of the
A FEW INTERESTING BITS AND PIECES It is a big step between singing without a musical instrument in the early Church, and the robed choir, piano, and an electronic organ equipped with chimes that can be heard far and near now. The motive is the same but the results are an improvement.
The wood burning stoves in the first Church and the hot air fur-nace in the new Church have given way to a hot water vapor heating system. The purpose is the same but the results are progressive.
The smelly oil burning lights of the early days have very little in common with the present indirect electric lighting, except that they all produced light and the caretaker is well aware of the difference.
The narrow seat straight back benches in the stone Church would not rate very high in comparison to the present light oak pews with cushioned seats, especially when taking into consideration the one to one and one half hour sermons compared to the present twenty to thirty minute ones. It seems all comparison ceases.
The clear sounding bell in the church steeple with its attached rope and a husky puller at the end seems to have lost its power to perform its mission "My tongue shall speak They praise." as inscribed upon it; instead a long playing record and loud speakers have usurped its power. Thus it silently waits for an electric power failure.
It is a far cry from the hitching posts of the horse and buggy days to the power-steering, air-conditioned automobile now occupying the same area. Can we still say, "Those were the good old days?"
The much discussed problem of integration was solved in 1843 by having a negro on the first board of trustees.
The cold outdoor comfort stations have given way to the heated indoor lavatory and toilet facilities, and the women of the Ladies Aid Society no longer prepare church suppers on odoriferous oil stoves, but by the flip of a switch all is set to go ahead. set up. Perhaps this is why the "Amens" and "Halleluiahs" are not in vogue.