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On Sunday, January 31, 2010 Bethany Primitive Baptist Church had a groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction of their new church building at 5101 Old Atlanta Road in South Forsyth County. In 1926 a small band of 25 Christians started Bethany Church in East Atlanta back in the days when Atlantans walked to church and people greeted each other sitting on their front porches. After 54 years at their original location on Moreland Avenue near I-20, the church moved to Tucker just outside of I-285 in 1980. For 30 years Bethany has been a metro-church, serving members from all over the metropolitan Atlanta area. Now, Bethany is finding a new home in a beautiful residential area amongst the rolling hills of South Forsyth County.

Following the original, or primitive, Baptist tradition, Bethany Church tries to follow the New Testament pattern of simple worship instituted by the apostles, consisting of the singing of a capella hymns and the preaching of the gospel. Bethany also follows the tradition of individuals and families, young and old, worshiping together. With 7+ acres to enjoy, Bethany is looking forward to becoming a destination in South Forsyth for families who want to meet with other families for worship, support and fellowship.

Bethany’s pastor Elder Gus Harter, his wife Betty Jo and their children have just recently returned to America from the Philippines where they spent over 7 years ministering to the people of that island nation helping them to build churches and also running an orphanage and a clinic for malnourished children. After raising 5 children in the Atlanta area, they decided to adopt several children who were from troubled homes. Then,after a number of trips to the Philippines to help the people over there, Elder Harter felt the call to move to the Philippines to preach the gospel.

The Harters picked up with their 13 children and moved there in September 2000. Having returned to the United States in 2008, Elder Harter and his family now make their home in South Forsyth County, just a few minutes from the new church property.

Bethany is meeting temporarily at the Friendship Christian School just up the street from their new property at 3160 Old Atlanta Road near the intersection of Mathis Airport Parkway. Their website is www.bethanypbc.org.