More than 100 years on Main Street
From a small Bethel Church built by the Ladies Circle to today's independent community church, God has been faithful to this corner of South Chatham.
How we got here
- 1883
The Ladies Circle forms
On January 23, 1883, the Ladies Circle is formed "to work for the benefit of the Bethel Church," which at the time was in South Harwich.
- 1910Sept 7
Land for a church
Winfred and Phoebe Emery donate the land at the corner of Route 28 and Mill Creek Road for a church dedicated to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- 1911
The Bethel Church is built
The Ladies Circle builds the Bethel Church on the new site.
- 1917Aug 20
Fire, and a fresh start
The Bethel Church of South Chatham burns to the ground. The ladies offer their hall for services and immediately begin raising money for a new church. When it's finished, the bell from a church in South Harwich is installed. It was later taken down because of its weight and still stands in the churchyard.
- 1919Mar 4
A Methodist church
The church is transferred to the Methodist Episcopal Church and continues in the Methodist tradition for the next fifty years.
- 1960s
The fellowship hall
A fellowship hall and basement room are added. The basement room is now home to the Benefit Shop.
- 1969
South Chatham Community Church
The members vote to become an independent, non-denominational church: the South Chatham Community Church.
- 2003
Open to everyone
A new addition brings a classroom, an office, and a hallway, and makes the church completely accessible. The town's committee on disabilities gives the church an award for the work.
"South Chatham Community Church has a building, but over the 100-plus years of our church we have been about people, the real church."
Who we are now
Our prayer as we move forward is that we'll have a much greater impact for the Kingdom of God.
Congregational
The church is congregational in how it's governed.
Evangelical
We're evangelical in our witness and committed to the authority of the Bible.
Local and global
We preach the gospel in our local community and partner with missionaries around the world.
Visit the sanctuary and you'll see the simple stained-glass windows and tin ceiling that have given it a quiet elegance for over a century.