Bethel’s History

The first Presbyterian congregation in Scotsburn was formed in 1822, by settlers, most with a Highland background, who favored the Established Church of Scotland.  St. John’s Church was built in 1835.

In 1844 a delegation from the Free Church in Scotland visited the area.  About one third of the members of the Kirk joined the Free Church in that year.  They continued to worship in St. John’s until the present Bethel Church was built in 1862, with the first service held in Jan. 1863.  Work on the interior continued until completion in 1866 when the church was dedicated, free of debt.

Bethel Church has always had a strong emphasis on missions.  When Auxiliaries of the Halifax Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (Eastern Division) formed Pictou Presbyterial in 1884, Scotsburn was one of the first Auxiliaries.  The congregation generously supports various local, national and international mission projects.  Our Sunday School has a mission project each year and we usually surpass our Presbyterian Sharing allocation from the Presbytery.

Our congregation covers a wide age range, including many young children.  In an effort to better meet our obligations to them, a Christian Education Fund has been established.  With interest from this fund, we now employ a Christian Educator one day a week to work with the children, youth and teachers.  This has proven to be an exciting development in our Christian journey.

A detailed history of Bethel Congregation was written in 2000.  It is titled “A Walk Through Time” and is available from the church office for $5.00, reduced from the release price of $10.00.  Should you like a copy simply contact the office.