Bethany has its roots in the past beginning in 1848. Methodism was the oldest known church on the Outer Banks and the first to bring Christianity to this part of North Carolina's coast.

Bethany United Methodist Church is located in North Carolina on Roanoke Island, Dare County, in the fishing village of Wanchese. Our proximity to the great Atlantic Ocean with its hidden shoals, treacherous currents and frequent storms, makes us well aware of the need for a guiding light. Through the years the two light houses in Dare County have proven this point.

We also have a historic heritage. Eight miles north on the same island the first attempt to settle an English Colony in America was made by Sir Walter Raleigh more than four hundred years ago. Twenty miles up the beach the Wright brothers flew the first heavier-than-air craft over one hundred years ago – 1903.

Bethany has its roots in the past beginning in 1848. Methodism was the oldest known church on the Outer Banks and first to bring the Christian religion to this part of the North Carolina coast.

This section of North Carolina was a part of the Virginia Conference. It was from this conference that our first resident Methodist Minister, the Rev. Joseph G. Lennon, came. There were two Methodist churches on Roanoke Island at that time – Manteo and Wanchese. He served them for four years. The parsonage was located in Manteo. We remained a charge until 1924.

Our present church sanctuary was finished in 1905. Our parsonage was built in 1928. In 1958 an Educational Building and other modern facilities were added. Later new hymnals, carpet, pews, pulpit furniture and stained glass windows have been installed in the Sanctuary.

In 1968 a new steeple was a Memorial gift donated by love ones. In 1975 a new Educational Building was completed and dedicated to the Rev. Luther Wesley. Later cushions were added to the pews and in 1979 a parishioner made a gift of beautiful chandeliers for the sanctuary.

Roanoke Island

In November 2003 the church garage was moved to get ready for a new addition. On January 28, 2004 the church had a ground breaking for the new addition. A new kitchen, dining hall and fellowship hall was added to the back of the church. This work was completed on June 2005. A dedication service was held on November 20, 2005. Also the old kitchen was changed into a secretary’s office and the old fellowship hall was changed into the Preschool Class Room. Their first class in the new room was in September 2004. Also a storage room was made into a unisex handicap bathroom.

Bethany is a friendly church welcoming all who would like to join us in worship. Our goal is to meet the needs of the people, not only spiritual, but physical and social as well. Our prayer is that Bethany may serve as a “light unto your path.”

If the walls of our Sanctuary could talk, they would tell of all the prominent families of Wanchese who attended Bethany over the past century. They would tell of Pearl Scharff, musician and writer who lived to be over 100. They would tell of Capt. Wayland Baum, the oldest living light-keeper on the East Coast, who died just a few years ago… who was here nearly every Sunday until his death. They would tell of the rich history of fishermen, light-keepers and boat-builders that have attended and been active in Bethany UMC over a century long period. If the walls could talk, they would tell of a Sunday school program that has been more active than most in the state, a rich history of music and a church filled with love.

We have a book written by Wayne Gray, available at the public library, and here at our church, “A History of Bethany United Methodist Church,” by R. Wayne Gray.

Besides the fact that the church was built in 1905 using materials saved from the original structure (which was built prior to 1884), there are many other interesting architectural facts about the church’s construction. The builders of Bethany had faith that if they built a large structure, the people would come. Because for a very small community, they built a very large sanctuary! The construction took nearly a year, and was not completed until sometime in 1906. It was designed and built by William Lawrence Meekins who was considered one of the finest carpenters on the island. The church was built entirely with hand tools. Cypress and juniper were cut down; the logs were sent to a mill in Elizabeth City to be planed and cut into planks and delivered by sailboat. It is also likely that some of the wood came from Buffalo City.

“The long open span of our sanctuary, without any visible supports has long mystified many viewers in our congregation. Casper Meekins, Jr always wanted to go up in the church attic to see how the construction was designed. It is such a long span which never showed any signs of sagging. The author contacted Lawrence Meekins, Jr, and engineer, and asked him if he could explain this phenomenon. His answer is as follows: ‘One of the most unique features of the Bethany United Methodist Church is the lack of columns in the sanctuary. Therefore good visibility is propagated between choir, pastor, and the congregation. My grandfather, William Lawrence Meekins, as builder achieved this advantage by a buttress effect, roof timbers extending from the back of the congregation (Men’s Sunday School Class) in the rear, and the same buttress effect from the extended pastor, choir area, in the front. Flying buttresses to support roof loads are common in the cathedrals of Europe’.”

(R. Wayne Gray)

The church is located on highway 345 to Wanchese. When you reach the fork in the road (Mill Landing Road/Old Wharf Road) as you arrive in Wanchese, you will see the big white church. That’s Bethany United Methodist Church.

Church tours are available by appointment only
Monday~Wednesday~Friday between 9:00 – 12:00 noon
Tuesday & Thursday between 1:00 - 5:00
Call the Pastors Secretary, Amy Baum Garretson at the church during those hours listed, at 252-473-5254. It may be possible to arrange a tour on short notice. Call to check with Amy’s schedule.

Please call me if you have any questions.

Amy Baum Garretson

252-473-5254 – church phone