One of the important landmarks in Missouri is the site of the Old Bethel Church on the south side of Jackson, west of the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern tracks.

It has the distinction of being the first non-Catholic Church established in Missouri. The date was July 19, 1806. Cape Girardeau was a small river settlement of about 50 people, and the territory was barely 2 years old. The land had become part of the United States in 1803, but the change in government did not occur until 1804.

In recent years the Bethel Church grounds have been difficult to reach until cold weather and heavy frost sent snakes into their winter dugouts. The log church disappeared years ago, and the cemetery, with its old markers, was buried in weeds and briars. This has changed. Dallas Seabaugh keeps the church grounds groomed, and with the assistance of his son and the Eagle Scout troop his son is a member of, the Bethel site is attractive and interesting to explore.

A new road makes reaching the grounds easy. The road is on the south side of the Lee Rowan plant and across a field belonging to Paul Myer. Access was granted and a new low-water bridge built that leads to the cemetery.

A restoration committee was appointed and has been meeting since July 14, 1990. It is chaired by Mrs. Jacquelyn Huffman of Ironton. Dr. T. Wayne Lewis of Jackson is a member. Plans are under discussion to build a replica of the original Old Bethel of hewn poplar logs, and to collect as many old objects as possible from area residents that relate to the church. This is an important historical site, and since it is on our doorsteps it should be given proper attention.

In 1906, when the Missouri Baptist convention convened in Cape Girardeau, the attending delegates made a trip to Old Bethel. At that time the old log building was standing but had fallen into disrepair. Sometime later it was sold to a farmer who cultivated the adjoining land and was used to store feed. Later it was a shed for stock before it burned. At the time of the 1906 celebration some walking canes were made from church logs as a souvenir of the centennial. Some may still be in the area. A history was published about the association and Old Bethel.

On Oct. 26-28 the Missouri Baptist Convention is returning to Cape Girardeau. The restoration committee aspires to have a replica of Old Bethel standing on the site. They need assistance to make that dream materialize. A historical site such as this is important and something only a few areas in the country have. It is an attraction for visitors and a learning tool for students.

When the Spanish regime controlled Louisiana, the governor-generals allowed only Catholicism to be practiced. That was the state religion of Spain and France. Both nations had ruled the land west of the Mississippi.

Commandant Lorimier became lenient about letting other-than-Catholics into the District of Cape Girardeau. If they answered his questions to his satisfaction he granted them land. When itinerant preachers passed through and held a service he said nothing, but they knew they could not stay.

The Rev. Thomas Johnson came in 1799. He was from Georgia and had been a missionary to the Cherokee Indians. He held a Baptist service in the home of Thomas Bull on a plantation where Old Bethel later was erected on land given by him to the church. Johnson baptized Agnes Ballow in Randol Creek in 1799, and it is thought this was the first non-Catholic baptism in Missouri.

In 1803 the Rev. David Green of Virginia came to the district by way of Kentucky. He held a service, then left and returned again in 1806 to become the pastor at Old Bethel. When the church was established it had 14 charter members, including Ballow.

While the land was still under Spanish rule, Bull came from Kentucky and petitioned Lorimier for land. He was granted 239 arpens and 40 poles immediately south of land owned by Col. William H. Ashley and his wife, Mary Able Ashley. He returned to Kentucky for his wife and her mother, Mrs. Lee, and their belongings. They returned and were living on the land in a log house in 1805.

Soon afterwards two more Baptist families joined the Bulls, the Enos Randol and the John Abernathy families. Ashley wanted a church and Bull put forth feelers and used his influence to bring Green back to the Cape Girardeau District.

When the church formed it met in the Bull home, but that proved too small. A log house was erected on the ground Bull donated to the church, but it soon became too small. So the church of poplar logs, which measured 30-by-24 feet, was erected in 1812. It remained a church until the congregation dissolved in August 1867.

Much happened during those intervening years. More articles will be written about this famous landmark that area residents are invited to assist in restoring.