“We live in the present, we dream of the future,
and we learn eternal truths from the past.”
From the Foreword in Beulah Baptist Church, 1812-1962, Highlights and Shadows, written by Mary Burnley Gwathmey, ©1962
1812 –
There were only about 10 men in the small group that met on September 26, 1812, at Beulah Meeting House, King William County, VA, to discuss and establish the much-needed church. They were former members of Upper College Church and originally had followed the faith of their fathers – the established Church of England, their native land. The meeting on the 26th was sponsored by Upper College Church, whose pastor, Elder John Courtney, served as a member of the presbytery that constituted the new church and gave it the name, “Beulah”. These men were led by Robert B. Semple. After its establishment, Semple pastored the church for its first four years. Upper College Church was bought many years later by the trustees of Sharon Baptist Church for the erection of their present building located near Central Garage.
Services were conducted here from 1812 to 1846. The present church building was erected on the same location in 1846. The Meeting House was sold and money used in the cost of the new building. It was bought by Dr. William Gwathmey and reconstructed at his home “Burlington”, where it continues to be used as a barn.
It is stated that several of the “ladies”, deeply concerned over the lack of any special training for the children of the church, offered their services to form and teach such a class. The purposeful teaching of these pioneer “ladies” made an impact upon the officers of the church, and at the May Meeting in the year 1838, an organized Sunday School was established at Beulah Church!
The current basic structure was built in 1846.
1861 – 1865 –
Beulah Church’s program of Christian work continued unabated through the years of the Civil War. There were churches that during this trying period discontinued their regular schedule of worship and meetings, but not Beulah Church!
Documented in church records, it is amazing the number of activities that the church seemed to regard as her obligation regardless of the country being involved in war.
1900’s –
The portico was added in 1910, and was erected in memory of Miss Mary Parke Burnley by her sister, Mrs. Jack Temple.
Under the sponsorship of Beulah Baptist Church, scholarships are granted for the benefit of boys and girls who wish to further their education and who are eligible to enter the University of Richmond. To date (1962) Beulah Church has given 28 scholarships.
In 1941, electric power was made available for Beulah church through Virginia Electric Co-operative. Since the present church building was erected in the year 1846, only oil had been available for lighting purposes.
In keeping with the commitment of reaching people with the Word of God, Sunday School additions were made in 1954 and again in 1985.
February 24, 2012 –
Beulah Baptist Church in Aylett, Virginia, celebrates its 200th anniversary of ministry in her community.
On Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, immediately following worship, a ground breaking service was held. Construction for adding a vestibule for handicapped accessibility with restrooms and coat closets on the first floor, an all purpose room and restroom on the second floor, and extended church portico began on April 9, 2012.
Beulah Baptist Church’s Mission is to reach, lead, and grow people
in experiencing the love and salvation of God in Jesus Christ.
The Focus of our Mission is our Community.
The Scope of our Mission is the World.
(II Peter 3:9a; Luke 19:10; Colossians 2:6-7; II Peter 3:18;
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; John 3:16; II Timothy 3:17)
The Church Covenant – November 4-1832