The mission of Welsh Bethel Baptist Church is "to be and to make fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ." A follower, or disciple of Jesus Christ is one who prayerfully and intentionally seeks to know and obey Him through daily worship, fellowship, study, and ministry. We offer many ministries to aid the follower to develop and grow.
Worship Services
Our worship service is in the traditional order, incorporating expository preaching and teaching and including the great hymns of the Christian faith. We are an Independent Baptist Church seeking to serve Christ by both remembering and fulfilling the Great Commission as the Holy Spirit enables us. (Matthew 28:16-20)
Although we are a Welsh church in history and name, we have many members from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and all are welcome.
Worship is a central part of a church life. Our Sunday morning worship service is warm and friendly with joyful singing and encouraging, challenging messages. The music includes both traditional hymns and contemporary blended together. .
Bible Study
Bible study and Sunday School are a primary focus of our church.
Music
Music is an important part of worship. Opportunities for singing and fellowship are provided by our Worship Team.
Missions
Our church is missions-minded and provides opportunities for giving, learning and going to the mission field.
A nursery is provided
Parents may take children (up to 5 yrs.) to the nursery during the second hymn.
Assistive Listening Devices are available for those who need them.
Church History
The Welsh Bethel Baptist Church has had what may be called two beginnings. It was first organized as a mission by the late Rev. G. Friar, but after that there was a dissolution, and they were re-organized by the First Welsh Baptist Church.
Prior to 1882, groups met in the home of Joseph Parry on Stanton Street, but in 1882, a group of 30 people met to worship God in a schoolhouse located on Parrish Street, near where the present church stands. The first members were originally members of the Welsh Baptist Church on Meade Street, but due to the distance and difficulty of traveling, they formed a new church which was admitted into the Welsh Baptist Association in 1884. The church was organized in 1884, and a charter was granted under the date of July 20, 1885 to the Welsh Bethel Baptist Church, Wilkes-Barre, PA. The following Charter Members signed the charter: Edward Jenkins, Thomas R. Evans, John H. Williams, William E. Thomas, James Nicholas, William A. Snow, Richard Edwards, and Joseph Parry.
They worshipped in a schoolhouse for a time; they occupied the second story while the Calvinistic Methodist worshipped in the first story. The place being rather small, the little band deemed it wise to venture forth, fully trusting and relying on Him whom they worshipped, to buy a lot where they could put up a suitable building. They secured one for $300 on the corner of Parrish and Loomis Streets and with untiring efforts they worked on, fully realizing that their labors were not in vain. The lot was paid for, and they at once proceeded with the building. In the year 1884 they worshipped in their own building. We cannot describe the sacrifices these few men and women made, in order to give to the future generations a place of worship.
Worship Services
Our worship service is in the traditional order, incorporating expository preaching and teaching and including the great hymns of the Christian faith. We are an Independent Baptist Church seeking to serve Christ by both remembering and fulfilling the Great Commission as the Holy Spirit enables us. (Matthew 28:16-20)
Although we are a Welsh church in history and name, we have many members from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and all are welcome.
Worship is a central part of a church life. Our Sunday morning worship service is warm and friendly with joyful singing and encouraging, challenging messages. The music includes both traditional hymns and contemporary blended together. .
Bible Study
Bible study and Sunday School are a primary focus of our church.
Music
Music is an important part of worship. Opportunities for singing and fellowship are provided by our Worship Team.
Missions
Our church is missions-minded and provides opportunities for giving, learning and going to the mission field.
A nursery is provided
Parents may take children (up to 5 yrs.) to the nursery during the second hymn.
Assistive Listening Devices are available for those who need them.
Church History
The Welsh Bethel Baptist Church has had what may be called two beginnings. It was first organized as a mission by the late Rev. G. Friar, but after that there was a dissolution, and they were re-organized by the First Welsh Baptist Church.
Prior to 1882, groups met in the home of Joseph Parry on Stanton Street, but in 1882, a group of 30 people met to worship God in a schoolhouse located on Parrish Street, near where the present church stands. The first members were originally members of the Welsh Baptist Church on Meade Street, but due to the distance and difficulty of traveling, they formed a new church which was admitted into the Welsh Baptist Association in 1884. The church was organized in 1884, and a charter was granted under the date of July 20, 1885 to the Welsh Bethel Baptist Church, Wilkes-Barre, PA. The following Charter Members signed the charter: Edward Jenkins, Thomas R. Evans, John H. Williams, William E. Thomas, James Nicholas, William A. Snow, Richard Edwards, and Joseph Parry.
They worshipped in a schoolhouse for a time; they occupied the second story while the Calvinistic Methodist worshipped in the first story. The place being rather small, the little band deemed it wise to venture forth, fully trusting and relying on Him whom they worshipped, to buy a lot where they could put up a suitable building. They secured one for $300 on the corner of Parrish and Loomis Streets and with untiring efforts they worked on, fully realizing that their labors were not in vain. The lot was paid for, and they at once proceeded with the building. In the year 1884 they worshipped in their own building. We cannot describe the sacrifices these few men and women made, in order to give to the future generations a place of worship.
