Originally known as Methodist Episcopal Church South, Sand Bethel Methodist Church is located in the Cedar Creek District on Highway 19, south out of Butler, not far from the Schley County line. A few years ago they did some work on Highway 19 which re-routed it so it is not as easily seen from the highway. Coming up Highwy 19 toward Rupert and Butler the church is on the left-up on a hill- the cemetery to the right of the church -and behind it.

The nearest community is probably Rupert.
The church is no longer active but the cemetery is well kept .
For listing of those buried

Sand Bethel Cemetery was farm land that William and Jane Gassett sold to the United Methodist Episcopal Church South for the cemetery in Sept 1, 1858). Land District 3 LL 220.

pg 262  Deed Bk B
1 Sept 1858
William Gassett and Jane his wife to trustees of
Methodist EP church south J.L. Murray, Julius
Turner, Jacob Gardner, J.F. Loyd 
$25  3rd Dist LL220
beginning at pine tree nortwest of graveyard - due west 20 rods corner-south 20 rods etc  2  1/2 acres
Wit: A.M. Rhodes, Wm A.H. Royal, JP, 
Recorded: Dec 22, 1858

William A. H. Royal, died Oct 31, 1881 buried Sand Bethel per biography

Butler Herald Feb 1, 1887
Diey Nov 13, 1886 in Crawford Co. John M. Hobbs, son of James and Rebecca Marchant Hobbs. Born MY 4, 1821 Remains at Bethel near Cedar Creek.

Butler Herald Mar 26, 1912
Beulah Items. Little Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Brewer died on Friday March 15; funeral and interment Sand Bethel conducted by Rev. W.H. Emerson

Schley County News Thursday, Jan 5, 1893
Mrs. Jula A. Murray died the night of the 23rd ult, at residence of her son-in-law Elbert Hill. Remains taken to Bethel. Note: Julia Ann Royal Murray

Butler Herald Nov 11, 1913
Dica Lawhorn, little daughter, Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Lawhorn died Sat. Oct 15, 1913, 13 months old. Interment at Sand Bethel conducted by Rev. W. H. Emerson

Butler Herald Dec 19, 1929
Mr. William Clarence Cooper, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Cooper. 30 years old. Sand Bethel Church in family lot. Funeral from family residence, Mr. L.T. Peed assisted by Rev. W.R. Lawhorn

Butler Herald Mar 28, 1929
"Unce" Geptia Gill passed away March 20, 1929. Born Mar 25, 1857, native of Marion. Buried Sand Bethel.

Butler Herald Dec 21, 1933
Mrs. Maggie Cooper, widow of H.G. Cooper, born Oct 3, 1849. Buried Sand Bethel

Dec 28, 1933
Miss Susie Mae Bone, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Bone of Rupert, tenth grade, Butler. Funeral at home conducted by Rev. C.D. Carter of Ellaville, burial Sand Bethel.

Butler Herald Mar 21, 1935
Mr. Webster Covington died. Services conducted by Rev. W.H. Emerson. Interment, family plot Sand Bethel.

Butler Herald Dec 12, 1935
Dewitt Cullifer, 16 years old; acute attack of appendicitis. Funeral services at Sand Bethel Church with Rev. W.E. Hightower in charge.

Butler Herald Feb 13, 1936
Death of R.E. Watkins. Reared in the community in which he died; a leader in the affairs of the Methodist Church to which he belonged, outstanding in his activities as a Master Mason and member of the Fickling Lodge, local chapter Woodmen of the World. Justice of Peace of Cedar Creek for many years; helped conduct the election for the past 50 years; Board of County Commissioners; many years chairman of Board of Stewards at Sand Bethel. Pastor Rev. W.E. Hightower. Burial Sand Bethel.

Butler Herald Apr 23, 1936
Quilting party, the funds will go to Sand Bethel church which has been abandoned for several years. We wish to have services at this church in the near future. New doors and windows temporairly and a new wire fence around the cemetery have already been installed.

Butler Herald Nov 3, 1938
I will be at Sand Bethel , Rupert next Sunday at 3 o'clock for regular preaching services. Edgar A. Martin

Butler Herald Nov 30, 1939
Mrs. Mary Emma Stuckey, wife of J.Q. Wisham,Sr. Services Sand Bethel Church Rev. W.R. Lawhorn officiating with Elder Joseph Hobbs. Interment in cemetery.

Butler Herald Jan 11, 1940
Butler Herald Jul 29, 1920
Mr. John Lawhorn, consistent member of Little Bethel church. Funeral and interment Sand Bethl by Rev. J.L. Whitley Funeral services at Sand Bethel Sun for Mr. R.A. Royal. Rev W.E. Hightower of Byronville, a former pastor of the church officiated. Interment in Sand Bethel.

Jul 11, 1940
Services at Sand Bethel Methodist church each Sunday afternoon during the remainder of the summer. R.B. Chapman, Jr. Assistant Pastor.

Butler Herald Jul 3, 1941
Home Coming Day Sand Bethel Church Sunday July 6, two miles south of Rupert on highway No Three. Rev. I.R. Kelley of Americus will preach the home coming sermon. There will also be preaching at this church Sunday night and again each night during the following week.

Butler Herald Jul 17, 1941
Funeral Service for Mr. Fleetwood Cooper, well known Taylor Co. famer and carpenter....held at Sand Bethel Church, Rev Ran Lawhorn of Rupert officiated. Internment in Sand Bethel.

Butler Herald March 26, 1942
Special Services at Methodist Church Sunday
Home Coming Day at Sand Bethel Near Rupert Will be Observed Next Sunday
Special Services will be held at the Butler Methodist Church next Sunday morning and evening. Rev. J.D. Smith, pastoreof the Reynolds Methodist church will conduct the morning service.
Rev. G.N. Rainey, Columbus District Superintendent, will have charge of the evening service
The local pastor, Rev F.J. Gilbert, will conducat a home coming day at Sand Bethel near rupert on the same day. Rev. Gilbert will have as a visiting pastor at Sand Bethel on this day Rev. Tom B. Stanford of Macon
Mr. Fred Rustin will have charge of the special musical program at Sand Bethel on this occasion. Dinner will be served on the church grounds at the noon hour.
Sand Bethel is one of the oldest churches in the county and has recently been completely remodeled.
Services at Sand Bethel will begin at 11a.m and 3:30 pm.

Butler Herald Dec 10, 1942.
Mrs. Ida Thompson Harvey, widow of the late Mr. Ben F. Harvey died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Tom Giles near Rupert Wednesday morning Dec. 2. Funeral services at Sand Bethel Methodist Church. Rev. F.J. Gilbert, pastor of the church officiated. Interment was in Sand Bethel Cemetery.

Butler Herald Sept 14, 1981
John "Man" Hill died in Magnolia Manor Nursing Home Americus on Monday. Burial Sand Bethel

Butler Herald Feb 25, 1989
Susie Cooper Wright born Dec 4, 1896 daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James William Cooper. Graveside funeral at Sand Bethel. Edwards Funeral Home, Butler