Bethel Methodist Church and Cemetery

This page was created 7 April 2001.  All photos are thumbnails, click any one to enlarge it -- rak.

John (10000), Thomas (11000) and their descendants down to the present day have worshiped and do worship at Bethel Methodist Church.  It was just over the hill from the homestead and is across the new highway about 1 mile south of Ribolt.  It is shown near the blue X on the map on the Family Album page.  Heading south from Ribolt on the Ribolt-Epworth Road, you cross a small stream and the church sign is immediately on your left.  The corner stone indicates the church was begun in 1804, in John (10000)'s time, and has been rebuilt by his descendants twice.  The graveyard is large and just east of the church.  Most of the Ruggles stones are just to the left as you round the drive to directly face the church.  The stone of Thomas (11000) P. and his two wives (all three on one stone) is considerably to the right of the main group of Ruggles' stones.  If you can enlarge this thumbnail enough you can see that the family name is spelled Rugles and you will be able to read the names of both Thomas and his wife Amelia -- his other wife is on the opposite side from Amelia so her name doesn't show in the photo.  The stone is badly weathered.

To return to the Family Album, click it.