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The Beautiful Bethel Church and Cemetery

With Special Thanks to

Connie Grant and Jennifer Tedford

Much of the information on this web page was taken from the book entitled "The Story of Bethel", and the special insert called "Brick Bethel Church". We would like to thank the folks above for finding us a copy of that book and for helping us to put together the following information on the cemetery.

See other photographs of the beautiful Bethel Church and Cemetery area. Please note that the general photos are in a separate album from those of the documented Monuments.

To best understand Bethel Cemetery we must first understand it's history.

The Original Field School and Cemetery

Location - Nearest 911 number 11092 River Line.

It is thought that in it's early times, the history of these two cemeteries began near the banks of the Old River Thames, the main thoroughfare of the time. It is thought that there was both a house and a school down on the river's edge plus the "Original Field Cemetery". We do not know if that school might have served as a church as well. There is mention of the old mud floor, and of the school being used as a meeting house. Ashes were laying on the floor still smouldering left over from trying to keep the school warm. The teacher even simply tossed his/her left over tea onto the floor adding the tea leaves to the trash there. This building would have only existed for a short time, but we do NOT today know the time frame of it. It has been noted that the path to it from one direction passed through an Indian camp. The natives would place bodies in blankets and tie them tightly to branches of trees. Then remove them for another burial. And it is reported how terrified kids were to walk through that area. We caution that there seems to be some dispute as to whether or not this original school existed. The only thing that would prove it's existence would be sensing the old grave shafts. We do know that there was a native trail near the river due to the many arrow heads etc being found there, so this seems to give the story a lot of credence.

The New Field School and Cemetery

Location - Nearest 911 number 11092 River Line.

In a short time the cemetery was moved up hill to it's new location, and a new log building was apparently erected nearby. There is some confusion as to whether this school was across from the new Field Cemetery that we know today or near it on the same side of the road. We have found existence of a building directly across from the cemetery approximately 18 feet by 24 feet. It is said that they moved the cemetery and school from the previous location due to flooding. BUT if so they did not pick well, as they soon learned that this location flooded badly as well down at grave level even though it was so much higher. At burials water would often have to be baled out of the grave shafts with pales. The new building facing the new cemetery was used as a school through the week and a church on Sunday. Like the old building before it, this one had well packed dirt floors. It is known that the first train went through on what is now the CNR Railway (Then Great Western) in January of 1854. And the students in the school were standing right there on the Mull side road to watch it. The teacher had them walk down to see that historic event! Funerals and weddings were not generally held in this building as it was too small, so they were held in the homes instead. We do not know when this frame school was built, but we do know that the school was actually moved out of this building to a new location with a brick school on the corner of the River Line and Mull Side Road on the South Corner. The booklet states that it moved before 1867, probably around the 1850's. Thus it seems obvious that the building served only as a Church for a short period of time.

We have heard that some old ink wells were plowed up at one point in the immediate area where the church was documented to be located.

Please remember that sensing indicates that the road seems to have been moved slightly since this cemetery was located here. If you look at the old fence lines, you can see the angle of it's original borders. On the South corner, the road edge is approximately whee it would have been when the cemetery was in use. On the East corner, the cemetery seems to go right under the road, and over to road edge on the far side. Thus, you can place a line between these points showing the actual front of the cemetery. We have no documentation as to the time frame on when the road was moved.

Sensing indicates that there was a Potter's Field in the Cemetery along the South West (Chatham) side. Up front here is a large "Kid's area". This kid's area is very different from many too as it is not just babies but kids as well. The shafts are approximately 4 feet in length, so this is quite unusual for our area. Generally they are only three feet long indicating only babies. Since this one involves older kids too, the area is VERY large. Then just behind the kid's area running to the back seems to be a Potter's Field running parallel to that side fence. Remember that this area is along that fence, and NOT along the edge of the extension of the cemetery to the South West. There is also a large Potter's Field area on the South West (Chatham) side of the Extension on that side. This extension area indeed holds a LOT of burials over and above those in the main cemetery.

Bethel is Born

The Bethel book states that in 1867, Lot Patterson and Harold Sifton agreed to each donate one half acre for a cemetery if a church was built on the property as well. The beautiful little Bethel Church of course in those times became a meeting place and the Cemetery was the burying place for local families. It is located on a very high piece of ground behind the little church in a very "beautiful restful setting". Records indicate that everyone who donated ten dollars toward the building of the church were given a cemetery lot. It is also mentioned in another spot that those who delivered bricks by wagon did as well. As with many congregations, for many years, funerals were held in the church, and after the casket was carried out and down the rather steep slope, it was carried back up the hill to the final resting place. Cement steps were later added when at one funeral snow and ice made it difficult getting the coffin up the hill into the church. Mr. Sam Jewell decided then and there to make cement steps, and although Mr John Collins at first objected, he later really liked them and said so. It is mentioned that for funerals the Ladies Aid had yards of black crepe which draped the railing around the choir loft. That black cloth made its home at Mrs John Collins when not in use. It is in fact mentioned that there were quite a number of funerals in the church before the first wedding in 1945.

It is known that there is a Potter's Field for the cemetery that was located behind the main cemetery. It is now located in what is essentially a bush, with a "cut" behind it. We must remember that it was not only poor people who were buried in these "fields". A funeral and burial had to be paid for quickly in those days. If the relatives of a rich person were not around for instance and funds could not be found that person might well be interred in Potter's Field. People from outside of the community who came for visits, and even criminals might be interred there as well as those who took their own life.

It is obvious that those who founded the Bethel Cemetery had learned their lessons. This time they found a VERY high hill so there would be no more drainage problems. There are notes of how the caskets would be carried after the funeral out of the church, and back to the cemetery. This must have been one very difficult task. Anyone who carries one today will realize how heavy they are to carry for those few feet. However, just think how difficult it must have been to carry a casket out of the church, and down hill that steep hill. Then to go up that long hill to the burial spot! It is stated that "Older members of the community have memories of a quiet procession up the hill to a final resting place."

There are still some church sheds at this location which bring back so old memories. However, we do not have records on them. When they were last used. Were they built at the same time as the church? etc.

The Cemetery has been kept active for members of the Community, and today only descendants of the old families are allowed to be interred there.

An Important Story to Remember

I realize that this story is somewhat off topic for us here, but I feel it is extremely important that we remember stories such as this. They are the little stories that are forgotten. Yet some of the ones we really should remember. I do not know the name of the caretaker, but I believe that the boy involved was Lee Stephens who lived next door. However, I am relying on a memory from 13 years back so this should be taken into consideration.

A local boy (Lee Stephens) used to light the fire in the church for the caretaker. You will see the huge old wood stove in the photographs. The caretaker of course appreciated this greatly as it meant that the church was getting warm when he got there, and it was one less job the caretaker had to do. So each Weekend he would make sure that he placed a shiny quarter on the top of the stove as payment for the boy who lit the fire. And each Sunday morning when Lee came into the Church to light the fire he always found that shiny quarter on top of the stove right in the middle. As his payment for a job well done. I saw this quarter on the stove when I was in the church about 1997. At that time it was a practice still kept up even though Lee had lived a long life and was no longer with us.