About Us

Bethel's roots go back to the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church and a man named William Schroeder who came to the Peninsula in 1885 to share the gospel.  After his visits a few small groups of believers who "clung tenaciously to their faith without permanent leadership for

15 years."

As this group had not yet taken on an institutional form they left little record of its affairs or existence. The MBC people of the Bruce Peninsula have little record between 1891 and 1905.  

When Sylvester Fretz arrived in 1905 to give leadership, the Miller Lake Group was already thriving with regular meetings and had appointed a committee to build a church building. 

By 1910 there were three churches established in Ferndale, Miller Lake and Cape Chin. In 1936 Cape Chin built its own Missionary Church building, (previously Hayes school was used). During the time industrialization began, there were less farmers and more people leaving to find work.  The Miller Lake Church closed due to low numbers in Sept 1957,  the Ferndale Church moved to Lion's Head in 1945. Due to low numbers Cape Chin closed in June 1961,  and these Missionary churches combined in Lion's Head (1961).

In 1969 Lion's Head adopted the name Bethel (meaning House of God)

and "The Missionary Church" became  "Bethel Missionary Church".  In 1993, due to a change in the missionary church denomination, it became "Bethel Evangelical Missionary Church". 

The church has come to be known locally as Bethel Church.  The church building is simply a place for the church (the people) to meet together to worship God.  

​​

This is a summary of the history collected by Pastor Charles Gingerich.

For a full detailed account of Bethel's History check out a copy of

"The Peninsula Pilgrims: A History of Bethel Church"

by Reverend Charles S. Gingerich

​

Today Bethel Church is still  The House of God. A place for people

to gather, to worship God together, share stories of faith,

study His word, and encourage one another.

​​