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History of Bethel Community
Bethel is a small community located in the northern tip of the county just west of the Butler County line at the crossroads of CR's 106 and 33. The land surrounding the community was patented in the 1850's. Bethel United Methodist Church was organized prior to 1866. Although the original church is gone, the cemetery still remains, but few of the markers are legible. The earliest legible marker dates to 1860. Another structure was built to replace it in 1890 in a different location, but it was destroyed in a 1947 tornado and replaced later that year with the present brick building. At one time, there was also a Masonic Lodge building constructed, but it was also destroyed by that same tornado. A white school operated here from 1924-1948 near that same lodge. The community is referred to on some maps as Manti and was called that when a post office was established here in 1892. 1950's maps also refer to the community as Manti. Today, only the church, cemetery, a Masonic Lodge,[?] two stores, and a few houses remain of Bethel.
Source - [References: Hassell & Hart--Conecuh County School papers; The Conecuh County UMC Ministry: "The History of Our Churches"; Mrs. Frances Mixon]
Submitted by: Sherry Johnston