FOUNDED IN 1889, the newer Bethel Evangelical Methodist Church, pictured here, was built in 1940 but sports its original bell tower and bell from 1917.
PASTOR DWANE SHOCKLEY and his wife of 56 years, Vetra, have been leading Bethel Evangelical Methodist Church since 2010.
A HISTORIC CEMETERY on the grounds of Bethel Evangelical Methodist Church in Ridgefield is the final resting place of some World War I soldiers such as William G. Wulf, who served in the 18th Infantry 1st Division.
The weekend of Sept. 13 Bethel Evangelical Methodist Church in Ridgefield will mark its 125 years with a two-day celebration that begins on Saturday at noon.
The church will host a luncheon for past members, their family and close friends of Bethel Evangelical. Pastor Dwane Shockley said that he and his wife, Vetra, invited everyone they “could find who had a part in the church throughout the years.”
From 2:15-4 p.m., the public is invited to be a part of the flag raising dedication and time of remembering. On the grounds of Bethel is a private historic cemetery with graves dating back to 1883, some of whom served and died in the First World War. It is there that Ridgefield’s American Legion Post 44 has gifted Bethel with a 35-foot flag pole that will fly an 8-foot flag.
American Legion Post 44 has also supplied illumination so that it can remain up around the clock in accordance with the United States Flag Code night display rules. Pastor Shockley believes that Bethel is the third cemetery in the Ridgefield area to receive this generous gift, which has a value of $2,000.
During the time of remembering, attendees will be entertained with music performed by Revelation 22, made up of several former church goers who started the group as high school students. Now grown and scattered around the country, they’re coming together to celebrate this landmark occasion with Bethel.
Speakers will include a former pastor and widow of a former pastor who will be sharing congregation and community anecdotes from their time serving at Bethel.
On Sunday morning, the public is again welcome to attend Bethel’s regular weekly service beginning at 10:30 a.m. The service will be structured as a special celebration. Musical offerings by Billy Pollard, co-host of the Internet ministry Strolling Down Memory Lane, vocalist Wesley Herman and a performing family led by Frank Schmidt are on the schedule. Others who now live outside the community will be sharing some memories and Pastor Shockley will wrap up the Sunday gathering with a recap of what role he sees the church playing in the community over the next 125 years.
The future is a topic Pastor Shockley has given a lot of thought to. With an older congregation it’s important to Shockley to find ways to infuse the church with young people knowing that new members are as valuable to the life of a church as existing and long-standing ones.
“The church’s need right now is to become culturally sensitive and relevant to a changing community,’’ Shockley said. “Today (agriculture is a) small section of what’s out there. We’re modifying our approach to people. We’re doing some things to change the appearance of the facility-not taking the period (of the building) away but adding technology and convenience.
“Then the church will plan on building expansion and whatever needs to happen from that point on, including the worship style,’’ he said. “We’ll be changing the method but we will not be changing the message.”
At 125 years old, Bethel encapsulates an impressive amount of area history. It was formed in 1882 as a Sunday school/Bible study time in what was then known as Union Ridge. The first building and parsonage was erected in 1889 and then incorporated in 1890 as a German Methodist Episcopal church by German farmers.
From its inception until 1917, German was the language spoken during all services. Shockley shared that the switch to English was brought about by negative feelings toward German descendants at that time due to World War I. The congregation, largely German, felt it was important to identify as an integrated American culture.
Bethel’s current structure was built in 1940, the same year it changed names to Bethel Methodist Church of Ridgefield. In the construction, workers were able to transfer the 1917 bell tower and bell to the newer church and it continues to ring. Shockley said that it’s difficult to come by a church bell today and it’s a feature they’re proud to have salvaged.
A separate parsonage, built across the street in 1959, was sold in 2008 to raise money for a church expansion that was not realized due to cost prohibitive county permitting.
A church with a 125-year history must have a secret to share. Shockley explained that throughout its history, Bethel has uncompromisingly delivered the true message of the gospel with an emphasis on community.
“(They) were faithful to the message and reaching out to the community. That’s what held the church together and what holds communities together,” Shockley said.
Bethel Evangelical Methodist Church is located at 2309 NW Carty Road, Ridgefield. For more information call (360) 887-8118.
AT A GLANCE
Bethel Evangelical Methodist Church 125th anniversary celebration
When: Sat., Sept. 13 2:15-4 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 14 10:30-12:30 p.m.
Details: Saturday – Flag raising and dedication in church’s historic cemetery followed by a time of remembering including musical entertainment.
Sunday – Sunday celebration with special musical performers and members of the church sharing congregation and community anecdotes.
Where: 2309 NW Carty Road, Ridgefield
Contact: For more information call (360) 887-8118
