A historical church family celebrated fall fellowship at a Morgantown’s Quaintance family home on Rank Road.
On a crisp evening with the smells and sounds of fall in the air, Darren and Gloria Quaintance, along with their five sons, made ready the grounds of their home for Bethesda Baptist Church’s annual Fall Fellowship. Both are active with their church serving as leaders and teachers.
Their original log home dates back to the Revolutionary War era. Since then rooms have been added on as the needs grew over the years. What was once the smoke house now serves as large pavilion with the huge fireplace still intact, the lighting of the fire represents the call to fellowship and prayer.
“It is a wonderful time where we can all come together to unify and become more open to the whole church and friends in community,” said Pastor Wexler who will soon reach his 8th year of service at Bethesda Baptist Church in Warwick Township. He and his wife Jennifer and grandchild are ready for a relaxing and fun time.
There is a sharing of food set up in the barn. Crock pots steaming with homemade pumpkin soup, chili, multiple corn and veggie casseroles, hot dogs and yummy desserts all served with cider, coffee, teas, hot chocolate, and cold beverages.
“A good old fashioned harvest meal is made possible by each member bringing their best dish,'” said Gloria Quaintance who has been cooking all week for the event.
Kim Trusty, Gloria and Kate Quaintance along with Betty and Tammy Gossert are gathered around the kitchen island laughing and discussing the upcoming hay rides and the variety of food they are putting the final touches on.
Kids are scattered everywhere. A night for fun and games and the long awaited hay rides. The pastor’s grand baby just months old is witnessing his first Fall Fellowship in his grandmother’s arms.
The farm animals oversee the sight of people settling in to warm themselves in front of the fire finding seats on bales of hay set in semi- circles. Guitars and voices are tuning up for an old fashion hymn sing after dinner.
The atmosphere is relaxed, huge pumpkins and gourds peek out all over the grounds with multi colored potted mums lining the driveway and filling in the gardens. Where two or more are gathered in the name of the Lord is holy ground ~~ yes it is holy ground.
A point of interest that makes this fall festival setting serendipitous is the rich storied history of the church. The following history is taken from the church’s web page info@bethesdabaptistchurch.com:
“The church is a beacon for Christ for over 25 years at its present location, and for almost 200 years as a chartered Baptist church in the region. The early history is somewhat vague.
As was the custom of the time, church services were held in members’ homes. Later they acquired a church building, Vincent Baptist Church, that during the Revolutionary War (like others in the Valley Forge area) was used as a hospital. In 1781, Thomas Lloyd built a Meeting House for religious services in the Hopewell Village area.
Known as ‘The Lloyd Meeting House” in 1827 it was officially organized as a Baptist Church. In 1828 Bethesda Baptist church and its 31 members were accepted into the Philadelphia Baptist Assn.
In 1919, the Brooke family, owners of Hopewell Furnace, bought the property of Bethesda Baptist Church from the Lloyd family. When the National Park Service acquired it in 1938, it became one of the few religious organizations owned by the federal government. The congregation was able to continue use the building under a Special Use Permit.
In 1985, the articles of Inc. of Bethesda Baptist Church were submitted stating, “To build up the Body of Christ and to train the body for the work of Service. To fulfill the Great Commission given by our Lord Jesus Christ to go into all the world and win the lost, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all the commands of Christ.
The original church still exists in Hopewell Village owned by the Federal Government. A new and larger church for expansion was built on Harmonyville Road 25 years ago.
“Our Mission today still continues as then, the “Great Commission” found in Matthew 28:19, 20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,” said Pastor Wexler.
Still existing as a country church spreading the Gospel, they have expanded with the use of two vans that go out to pick up the seekers for Sunday services and Wednesday Youth and Kid Clubs.
So today’s Fall Fellowship is reminiscent of days gone by. Smell the fire, watch the flames, talk with your neighbor, and pray to the Lord only feet from a home that originated in the 1700s akin to the old homes, church and congregation who once worshiped at nearby Hopewell Village.
Bethesda Baptist Church, Warwick Township, is just around the corner from St. Peter’s Village at 2140 Hamonyville Road. For more information call 610-469-0613 or visit www.bethesdabaptistministry.com.
