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This has been her nature and her mission -- to be a House of God. Bethel Baptist Church has stood as a beacon leading souls to Christ since 1867. Our spiritual walk has allowed many exciting and wonderful things to take place during these years. We are pleased to share a few with you through this site.  

Once know as the Old Sassafras Stage Church, Bethel is the oldest independent African American congregation in Sassafras and one of the oldest in Gloucester County. Bethel dates from the 19th century. One prayer meeting community know for large gatherings under bush arbors on the Lord’s Day was known as “Sassafras Stage.” Following the abolition of slavery in 1865,  a former slave owner, Dr. J. Catlett Stubbs, donated an acre of land in Sassafras for the Black worshipers to have a place of their own to hold their services. On July 16, 1887 the first building was erected not too far from where our present church stands. It was built with an altar railing, pulpit and gallery.

Bethel

\Beth'el\ n.\Hebrew meaning

House of God