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A strip of land purchased December 10, 1826 for the Bethel Congregation from Philip and Catherine Couch for the sum of five dollars. This piece lies directly across the road from the present church. It was once covered with old buggy sheds. On February 13, 1827, for the sum of fifty dollars, almost four acres of land was purchased from Thomas and Elizabeth Tidball. This piece of property is now occupied by the oldest part of the cemetery, the parking lot and lawn in front of the present church. The Second Meeting House was erected on this property. It was described by John T. Fife, who remembered it as a boy. It was a large oblong brick building, facing eastward. The front had three doors, with windows between them. The floor was sloped down about a foot to the high pulpit at the opposite end, with an aisle leading toward each door. Another aisle ran across the church from north to south having an outside door at either end. The table was placed in this aisle for communion services and set out of the way against the front seats when not in use. The presentor=s stand was near the high pulpit and stoves were placed at the junction of the cross aisle with the other aisles The pews had doors and clattered at the close of service. Because the floor was cold in winter, some people brought Afoot warmers@ made of iron boxes filled with hot charcoals. |
