The original Bethlehem Church was located south of Mill Spring on a site bordering the Edwards property. Though there are no records of its early history, some of the community's older citizens remember going there as children, and hearing their parents tell about it's early beginnings as a one-room log structure without windows.
This was later replaced by a frame building with hand hewn shingles and real windows. Remains of this "old Bethlehem" could be seen until the late 1930's. Now the old cemetery is the only physical evidence that a church was once there. It contains many unmarked granite tombstones. Those that are marked range in date from 1883 to 1905, and contain the names of Edwards, Thompson, Hague,
and Womack.
Ina Edwards Barber has an old newspaper account of her grandfather's death which states: "Alexander Edwards, Civil War veteran...became a member of Bethlehem in 1851." No doubt it had been in existence well before that date. In Bishop Asbury's Journal, Vol.III, p. 207, he wrote that he ordained as deacon a local preacher, the Rev. Martin Edwards, on his journey through the area to Rutherfordton in 1806.
Dr. Bernard C. Russell, Charlotte memorial archivist, states: "Prior to 1870 Polk County churches were included in the South Carolina Methodist Conference." Wofford College librarian says, "Prior to 1878 no individual churches were listed, only circuits." Bethlehem was probably in the Union Circuit.
This was also indicated in Clarence Griffin's History of Old Tryon and Rutherford Counties, as he writes
of "Union Circuit north of the Pacolet river."
From records passed down by John C. Powell, who was secretary to the Quarterly Conference for many
years, we read that Bishop William McKendric and a Mr. Roberts preached at Bethlehem in 1810.
It was then a part of the Columbus Mission. In 1890 it was listed in the Polk Circuit in the Shelby District.
Two years later it was changed to the Green River Circuit in the Morganton District.
Historian Sadie Patton's Sketches of Polk County History, p. 86, states: "Rev. J. D. Carpenter was serving Green River Circuit Methodist churches at Bethel, Antioch, Bethlehem, Manus Chapel and Lebanon in 1897."
The present church at Mill Spring was built on land deeded by J. R. and Sally Foster to trustees, J. D. Carpenter,
W. C. Edwards, and J. T. Waldrop on Dec. 2, 1909. It was completed in 1911 while
the Rev. W. S. Cherry was minister. The beautiful multi-colored windows were chosen by Mrs Cherry.
Other early ministers included Joseph Eades, H. H. Perry, J. C. Richardson,
J. M. Barber, E. L. Shelton, W. J. Hackney, and H. C. Freeman.
Today the church membership is only a fraction of what it was in the 20's and 30's. Many who once attended Bethlehem now belong to the Columbus and Tryon churches. But the few who remain are
loyal members who meet their conference pledges and are determined to keep their beloved Bethlehem going. The minister at present is the Rev. Thomas Hunter who also serves Gray's Chapel and Lebanon.

Ina E. Barber and Edna H. Leonard
Polk County, North Carolina
History

Bethlehem United Methodist Church was founded in 1771. It is a well maintained church still as beautiful as ever.