The early settlers, being for the most part Christian people, they were deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of the community and the influence surrounding their children, thus they began holding religious services in private homes and schoolhouses very soon after coming here. Among the earliest of the pioneers were a number of preachers, the first being Rev. Samuel B. Barker, who was a Baptist minister and was true to his calling and was the first pastor. Soon Rev. Hiram Pearce came, who was also a Baptist minister and conducted services whenever the need arose. Rev. Jesse Ellege was also one of the early ministers.

On May 5, 1855, a Baptist society was formed by Rev. Hiram Pearce with a number of members and in 1857 the Bethesda Baptist Church was officially organized, Rev. S. B. Barker and Rev. Hiram Pearce officiating, in the little log cabin home of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Bonham, soon after their arrival here.

Services continue to be held in private homes and schoolhouses with various ministers serving them until a few years later, when they built a church on a hill near the center of section 16. Rev. Hiram Pearce was the first pastor in this church, serving the people until the fall of 1868, when he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Miller. They worshiped there until the church was built in Macksburg. 

Bethesda Baptist Church

Immediately upon the layout of the town, Dr. and Mrs. Mac, realizing that the religious influence of the community was the first and most important to be considered, they donated two lots on the corner of South and West Streets to the Bethesda Baptist church organization, upon which the church was built in 1874. Rev. Thomas Miller continued to serve them as their first pastor in this new church, other ministers following as the years went by.

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