The History of New Bethel Baptist Church
Indianapolis was a small village of 500 inhabitants and its First Baptist Church was only four years old when the New Bethel Baptist Church was organized April 7, 1827. Charter members were James and Elizabeth Greer, Lewis and Catherine O'Neal, David and Achsah Woods, and James and Elizabeth Davis.
The same year, with Rev. Abraham Smock serving as pastor, trustees were elected and plans were made to construct a meeting house. A plot of ground across the road from the present church and where the old cemetery is located, was given to the young congregation by Reuben Adams family for the site of a 24 by 28 foot log building with a large fireplace and split slabs for seats.
As the congregation continued to grow, it was necessary by the year 1843 to build a larger meeting house. Josiah Toon was the contractor hired to build a 36 by 48 foot frame structure at a cost of $1000.
This building served as their church home until 1866 when a 36 by 50 foot brick building was erected on the site of the present structure at a cost of $4000. For 51 years this building served the community and in the post-Civil War years, the church saw a resurgence of faith and and those attending Sunday services averaged 173 in 1873. Under the leadership of Rev. W. A. Bender, the membership had increased to 273 and the crowded conditions resulted in an agitation for the building of a new church home. On February 4, 1917, farewell services were held in the old building and dismantling began the next day. Services were held in the old school building, also known as K. of P. Hall, in the west end of town until a new building could be completed. The cornerstone was laid June 17, 1917, and on Sunday, November 7, 1917, the two-story brick and Bedford stone building christened "S. M. Brown Memorial" was dedicated to God.
During the pastorate of Rev. W. F. Buckner, the congregation acquired property east of the church to enlarge the cemetery and build a new parsonage. Since it was situated on what had formerly been an apple orchard, on May 27, 1928, the new cemetery (including both old cemeteries) was dedicated as "Orchard Hill Cemetery". Rev. and Mrs. Buckner held open house the same day in the new parsonage.
In the 131st year, with Frank Carlson as pastor, plans were made to construct an educational wing. The two-story addition with its classrooms, pastor's study and nursery on the ground level, and auditorium complete with stage, spotlights and a full kitchen on the upper level, was dedicated on March 23, 1958. An additional parking area west of the cemetery and north of Bowen Road was added in 1959.
The beautiful painting of Jesus Christ in the front of the sanctuary was painted by a member of the church family, Wilber Leonberger, and presented to the church by him and his family in 1962.
The Youth Center, patterned after the 1827 original log church, was built in the cemetery area southeast of the parsonage. Dedication was early in 1969.
In the early 1970s, Orchard Hill Cemetery purchased the ten acres adjacent to the existing cemetery.
This brief history consists mainly of major physical accomplishments of the hundreds of dedicated people who have participated in the New Bethel Baptist Church's activities. It is impossible to measure the spiritual impact on the lives of area residents since the "original eight" banded together over one and one-half centuries ago to learn more about the Word of God and to share their faith.