Strength in Unity: Merging Two Churches for a Brighter Future
Realizing their shared faith and strong community bonds, these two churches joined forces. Together, they envisioned a new chapter of unity, where collective worship and service enriched the lives of all members. This merger would stand as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of fellowship and collaboration on their shared journey of faith. But how did this all come to be?
The South Carolina conference was organized under the missionary rules of Bishop Barber in Charleston, South Carolina April 2, 1866. Documented history records that St. James United Methodist Church was admitted to the conference in 1883. At that time, the members worshiped in bush tents and later erected the very first building in 1883. Records also show that Bethlehem United Methodist Church was one of the four Methodist churches on The Sea Island in 1890 with the other two being Webster United Methodist Church and Wesley United Methodist Church. The earliest documented records of the past pastors are Rev. A Middleton (1880-91), Rev. WS Bailey (1891-95), Rev. WJ Jervey (1895-98), Rev. AC Kennedy (1898-1910), Rev. TL Hardy (1910-12), Rev. WH Norman (1912-20), Rev. AM Wright (1920-28), Rev. MM Mouzon (1928-29), Rev. JS Richards (1929-35), Rev. GC Brown (1935-66), Rev. WT Goodwin (1966-82),/ Rev. V McFadden (associate minister) and later Rev. AJ Wallace ( associate pastor), at the splitting of the parish when the then St. James United Methodist Church and Bethlehem United Methodist Church separated to become two different parishes St. James pastors were Rev. JV Livingston (1982-84), Rev. T Staton Sr (1984-2001), in the meanwhile Bethlehem United Methodist Church pastors were Rev. AC Jenkins (1982-88), Rev. JW Evans (1988-90) then in 1990 Bethlehem rejoined St. James and Webster to then become the Johns Island Parish because of that time Wesley became a station church. Following, Rev. T Staton, Rev NA McClennon (2001-2002), Rev. AJ Simmons (2002-14) along with Rev. T Richardson (associate pastor), Rev L A Huggins (2014-18), and currently from 2018 Rev. PE Gordon.
The very first erected wooden structure was built on the very same spot as the now Main Road location of Bethlehem St. James under the direction and leadership of Rev. a Middleton, before that time the church met in bush tents near the old Sons and Daughters Hall in the Long Hill Community near the now Coles Road. The Bohicket Road location was one of the four wooden structure churches built under the leadership of Rev. GC Brown and renovated under the leadership of Rev. Willis T Goodwin.
The first block building was built around 1955 under the leadership of Rev. GC Brown and was later incorporated into the present structure that was renovated under the leadership of Rev. Willis T. Goodwin in 1982.
St. James United Methodist Church and Bethlehem United Methodist Church later merged to become Bethlehem St. James United Methodist Church under the leadership of Rev LA Huggins also the current parsonage was bought under the leadership of Rev LA Huggins.
Of the 21 pastors who served the Johns Island Parish in the past nearly 140 years Rev. GC Brown's tenure was the longest, he served this parish for more than 30 years, built four churches, and established and built the first parsonage and established Johns Island’s first Early Childhood Development Center, his predecessor Rev. WT Goodwin served for more than 15 years and renovated all four churches from wooden structures to block and brick structures, started Rural Missions Inc. and established the first medical facility on Johns Island and Day Care Center. Before 1968 the four churches were called Methodist Episcopal. In 1968 under the leadership of Willis T Goodwin, the church were called themselves United Methodists.
Bethlehem-St. James
United Methodist CHURCH
Where we are ONE church with TWO locations, where we glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ through genuine love and outward ministry for all God’s children.