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Bethany's History
      Bethany United Methodist Church was built in the summer of 1892 at a cost of $1,300 on land donated by J.B. Warren. On the 5th Sunday of October 1892 at 3:00 p.m., Bethany was dedicated to the worship of God. Dr. Yates delivered the message and in closing said: "The Church's name is Bethany".   Prior to that, it had been called Warren Chapel.  Bethany had only a few members in the beginning and suffered through many difficult hardships. Due to inactivity, its doors were locked and Bethany remained silent for nearly ten years.
      In 1903, the Rev. C.M. Lance, a student at Trinity College (now Duke University), approached the Bethany community regarding the possibility of reorganizing the Methodists. After canvassing on foot the whole area, Rev. Lance was able to do just that through a series of revival meetings. Church membership and Sunday School attendance grew rapidly.
Bethany UMC Building back in 1951
      Some years later, Bethany was placed on the Board of Missions of the Conference. At the Annual Conference in 1916, Bethany was transferred to the Durham Circuit. In 1944 she was made a station and acquired a parsonage for her minister. A new church building was completed in January 1951. Emphasis was placed on the building of an educational plant which was completed in June 1959.
Bethany, circa 1951
       Since then, a number of church improvements have taken place.  The sanctuary was air conditioned, a new parsonage was purchased, the chancel-altar and Fellowship Hall were renovated, the handicap ramp completed, the office was better equipped, the kitchen re-modeled, the sanctuary re-carpeted, a new organ purchased, and the parking lot paved.
       The bell which tolls on Sunday morning in the church steeple is the same one that has rung out God's calling for over 100 years - from the former little white church until the present time.
Groundbreaking Ceremonies
      We invite you to worship with us as we continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the Durham community!
Old Sanctuary
Bethany's Children, 1951
(Photographs donated by Church Historian Ada Foster gratefully acknowledged.)