History:

In the fall of 1828, pioneer preacher Zebulon Butler called a meeting to organize a church, which received the name Bethesda from its eight charter members, all staunch Presbyterians. One of them, Thomas Wells, donated a corner of his property for the building and by 1832 the cypress wood meeting house was finished. After the original structure burned in a 1927 fire the new structure was built in time for Bethesda's 100th anniversary, and still stands today, supplemented by various additions and enhancements. At times, the congregation has experienced rapid growth. During the ministry of Rev. John M. Campbell, over 50 members joined. From 1860-1863, the congregation gained 25 members and then 45 more in a single year from 1864-1865, all despite a war that devastated so many other congregations.

Bethesda remained neutral at first, during the Old School / New School controversy of the 1830s, but when a compromise resulted in the formation of a Southern Presbyterian Church (later PCUS), Bethesda promptly joined. With the PCUS following "modern trends," a congregational meeting held on June 24, 1973, voted 41-0 to withdraw to join other likeminded congregations in a church that would be faithful to the Scriptures, true to the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission. This new church is now known as the PCA.

During several periods of its history, Bethesda has struggled with small membership or difficulty keeping a minister. From 1873-1875, a local Methodist preacher supplied Bethesda's pulpit, for no Presbyterian Minister was available. For the last twenty years, though the congregation's size dwindled, yet God has faithfully supplied us with preachers, even expanding the ministry during the times of the smallest numbers.

Our history is one of God's faithful blessing. In times of national difficulty, He has blessed. In denominational difficulty, He has blessed. With big numbers and small, long-time ministers and none at all, He has blessed. And every year, we set aside one Sunday (which we call 'Homecoming') to remind ourselves how we should always be reflecting upon, giving thanks for and praising Him for it all.

To this day, we continue to worship God, the gospel continues to be preached and believers continue to be conformed to the image of Christ. This 21st century is the third in which we have had the opportunity to be salt and light, and in God's providence, technology is now allowing us to be so not just in the Newman area of Central Mississippi, but even to the ends of the earth.

It is our sincere desire that God will be pleased to permit us to worship and serve Him faithfully until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!