About Us

A Brief History of Bethel Baptist Church

On August 6, 1956 a preacher from Colt, AR, came to our community to preach a revival meeting. The Fox River Heights Clubhouse was rented for this meeting, which lasted two weeks until August 20. One of the results from this revival meeting was the birth of a new church, known then as Fox River Heights Baptist Church. Andrew Purvis, the preacher who started the revival meeting was made the first pastor. The name changed January 6, 1957, to Bethel Baptist Church. (Beth is a Hebrew word for house, and El is a Hebrew name for God; Bethel means House of God.) There were nine charter members.

Eventually, the small congregation began to grow. Worship services were held in the Anderson School Gymnasium just down the street from the current church building. Baptisms were held in the Fox River.

Bethel moved into its first building in 1965. This is the portion of the church building now containing some class rooms and the nursery. This building quickly became too small as the church was rapidly growing. In 1973, ground was broken for a new addition, which makes up the look of the building we have today.

Since its birth, Bethel has had seven pastors. Andrew Purvis launched the church and served as its pastor from 1956 to 1963, followed by Leroy Poyner from 1963 to 1971, Fred Greening from 1971 to 1984, Jerry Hasse from 1984 to 1986, Dennis Ammons from 1988 to 2000, Everett Hawbaker (interim pastor) from 2000 to 2002, and Scott Foust from 2002 to 2008, Joe McDonald (interim pastor) from 2008 to 2010, and Travis Thompson from 2010 to present.

In spite of very humble beginnings, the Lord has blessed this small church and used it to reach out to our immediate community through a variety of ministries. Moreover, Bethel has had an impact all over the world because of its emphasis on worldwide missions. We would like to encourage you to come and visit us and take part in what the Lord has maintained for over 50 years!