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Bethel Baptist Church founded in 1898 is housed in a white wooden building with a red roof, it is one of the many African American churches in Orange County. Crossing the Rapidan River by way of the James Lawson Kemper Bridge on Route 15 south brings one into Orange County, Virginia. The bridge serves as the dividing marker between Madison and Orange counties. Nestled right off Route 15 at 9260 Petersburg Road (just outside the city limits) is the Bethel Baptist Church of Orange, Virginia. At One-Hundred and Twenty-Two years, Bethel is relatively young compared to some of the other African American churches in the area: Little Zion (151 years old); Shady Grove (151 years old); Nazareth (148 years old); or Blue Run which is the oldest having been established in 1774.

Following the Civil War, many freed slaves stayed in Orange County, becoming an integral part of the community. Some became tenant farmers, others acquired land to farm or to set up their own business. Several of the small black settlements founded during this period are still in existence today (i.e. Browntown, Freetown, Jacksontown, Little Petersburg). Little Petersburg, the area also known by some as “Madison Mills” and “Little Skyline Drive” consisted of some 200 acres. According to tradition, the land was conveyed after emancipation to former slaves of the Clark and Kemper families, to whom one family, at least, was related. Some of the original black family names were Dade, Davis, Fields, Gordon, Humes, Kemper, and Ruffner.

According to church records and oral reports, it was in the community of Little Petersburg in 1897 that religious services were first held on the fourth Sunday each month in a building called Fisherman’s Hall. The community’s public building housed a one-room schoolhouse and this church. A local preacher Reverend Whales would officiate the services. Over time the community began to grow and so did the attendance of monthly services at Fisherman’s Hall. It became evident that a larger building was needed, Reverend Whales organized a committee to discuss the construction of a church building.

The committee consisted of eight members including Sister Francis Fields, Brothers Lawrence Dade, Sr., James Elkins, Ambrose Fields, Henry Fields, Fred Johnson, Frank Paige, Jr., and Lewis Ruffner. The first meeting of the committee resulted in the present site of the church being purchased from William and Eliza Walker for thirteen-dollars and fifty-cents ($13.50) on December 29, 1897. Frank Page, Washington Allen and James Humes are listed on the deed. Construction of the church began immediately. Unfortunately, Reverend Whales died before construction was completed, hence did not live to see his dream realized.

Bethel has a rich history that begin in 1898, when a small group of African Americans bonded together for a common goal. The church was intended to satisfy and meet a spiritual need in the small community fondly known as Little Petersburg. Consistent with its intended mission, the focus remains on meeting the need for spiritual enrichment and to be involved in community outreach.

Reverend William DuVall (1898-1907) succeeded Reverend Whales, becoming the second pastor of the newly organized church. He worked tirelessly to raise funds to complete the building. On the fourth Sunday of June 1898, the cornerstone of Bethel Baptist Church was laid. Dedication services were held in August 1898 with Reverend Jack Johnson and Reverend Phillip Johnson officiating. During the dedication service those in attendance from the community were encouraged and inspired by what they experienced. As a result, many in the community joined and membership immediately started to grow. After nine years, Reverend DuVall resigned.

Reverend Duvall was followed by Reverend Albert Thurston (1908-1937) from the neighboring county of Louisa County. He became Bethel’s third pastor serving faithfully for twenty years until his health begin to fail.

In 1938, Reverend P. R. Mansfield (1938-1976) was installed as the fourth pastor. Under his leadership, membership continued to grow. He was responsible for many building projects and clubs were organized during his tenure. It was under Reverend Mansfield’s pastorate that Bethel began to have services on second as well as fourth Sundays of the month. In 1976, Reverend Mansfield died suddenly, ending thirty-eight years of service to the church. From 1976 to 1981 Bethel experienced five years of instability without permanent pastoral leadership. Many current members and former members who moved away were baptized doing his tenue. The Rapidan River was Little Petersburg’s Jordan River for a time because baptism services were held under the bridge in the river.

Reverend Edward Braxton served as the interim pastor with the understanding that he would serve until a pastor was elected. Under his tenure a Missionary Circle, Church Aid Club, and Junior Choir were organized. He served a little more than a year before resigning.

Reverend R. W. Wallace (1981-1993) a faithful and energetic young man was installed in 1981 as the fifth pastor. Under his leadership there was a steady membership increase through baptism, renewed membership and Christian experience. Church improvements under his tenure included the addition of bathrooms, a dining hall, a pastor’s study, and other exterior safety improvements. The Church Constitution and By-Laws were also established under his pastorate. Reverend Wallace was called from labor to reward in 1993 at a relatively young age.

Reverend John Paige (1993-1996) from Esmont, Virginia followed Reverend Wallace as the sixth pastor. He served the church faithfully and was active in community activities. Not long after becoming pastor, his health began to fail, and his ministry ended with his death in 1996.

Bethel was without a pastor for four years until early 2000 when Reverend Morris Reese Washington (2000-2006) was called to shepherd the flock. Reverend Washington was installed as the seventh pastor of this congregation on March 25, 2000. Under his leadership, Bethel expanded to having service on four instead of two Sundays a month. Bible Study, a youth ministry and choir, a praise team, and a men’s choir were added. He was also instrumental in adding musical instruments to the service and upgrading the public address system. A noticeable increase in new converts were realized during his pastorate. Reverend Washington resigned as pastor in October 2006. Reverend Green became the eighth pastor, however he abruptly resigned after only nine months of service. From 2008-to-2019, except for Reverend James Strother, Jr., short tenure as the ninth pastor, Bethel was without a steady shepherd.

After an extended period without a pastor Bethel called Reverend Willie Elder, on April 28, 2019, as their next pastor. He had faithfully served this Branch of Zion for several months prior to being nominated as their pastor. On September 21, 2019, Reverend Elder was installed as the tenth pastor in Bethel’s illustrious one-hundred twenty-two-year history.