A Brief History of Bethel Murdoch Presbyterian Church:

1814-- The Bethel Congregation was founded by 12 pioneers settlers to Warren County. The location of their first meetings was in a maple grove near the site of the present Murdoch Cemetery, where many of the church's early members were laid to rest.

1817---The Sunday school was organized.

1823---They congregation built their first sanctuary of logs, and a Temperance Society was founded. The charter of the society may be viewed in the hallway at our church.

1827---Organized prayer meetings began to take place.

1828---The congregation established a Charitable Association. This association's charter may also be viewed in the hallway at church.

1833---The congregation had grown to 151 members, making it one of the largest in the Washington Presbytery.

1838---The congregation sent 65 members to plant a Presbyterian Church in Goshen.

1839---The congregation was deeded the land for its present location by Mr. Samuel Walker, and built a brick sanctuary on the site of the current one. The deed may be viewed in the hallway.

1849---The Manse was built.

1869---Professor Samuel Murdoch, a well known Shakespearean actor of the era, and who lived at the crossroads, offered financial assistance to build a new sanctuary (thus the name "Bethel Murdoch Presbyterian Church").

1873 Thru 1874---The present sanctuary was built. The minutes of the building committee are displayed in the hallway of the church.

1927---The three pine trees in front of the Church were planted. A photograph of the church by noted photographer Nancy Ford Cones is displayed at our church, showing the recently planted trees.

1933---Electricity reached Murdoch and the sanctuary was wired.

1949---The congregation dug a basement out by hand to expand room for Sunday School and meetings.

1986---A building committee was established to develop plans for a modern addition.

1994---Ground was broken for classrooms, fellowship hall, office and kitchen.

1995---The Fellowship Hall was dedicated.

1996---Bethel Murdoch Presbyterian Church entered the information age with this website.

1997---Bethel Murdoch was named Historical Site of the Year by the Loveland Historical Society.

2002---Completion of a major face-lift to the church's interior and exterior.