Bethel Baptist Church, New Buda Twp.

COS, HOWARD, MAXWELL, STILL, TURPIN, HENDERSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 11/13/2013 at 19:35:20

Bethel Baptist Church
New Buda Township, Decatur County, Iowa

Bethel Baptist Church was the first Baptist Church in Leon, Iowa. It was organized in a school house in July 1852.

Charter members were:

Absalom W. COX Elizabeth COX Martha COX Martha N. COX Sara COX Mary HOWARD William HOWARD W. M. MAXWELL Mercy STILL Lucinda TURPIN

The first church building was destroyed by fire in 1866. The present building was built in 1871 with the tract of land which was conveyed from John HENDERSON and Jane HENDERSON to the trustees of the Bethel Baptist Church on May 16, 1871. Jane was the widow of William K. MAXWELL (died Sept. 1, 1863 at aged 38 years) and they came to Decatur County, Iowa in 1950.

The cemetery was started about the same time.

Services were held in Bethel Church until 1970 when the membership moved to the First Baptist Church of Leon.

Source: Hawkeye Heritage. Spring 1966.