Bethel Middle Hill

 

Bethel is a happy little Church, serving the small village of Freystrop near Haverfordwest, in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It has a true sense of friendship, which is seen at its best at Celebration services like Harvest, the Midnight Communion at Christmas and at our recent Flower and Craft Festival.

We try to be at the heart of our Community, caring for all and sharing in all the events of village life. A major village celebration of the year 2000 began in Bethel with a crowded and joyful service on the morning of 31st December, 1999. It was continued in August, 2000, when we held an unveiling ceremony to commemorate two ceramic plaques we have had made by a local artist, Paul Webb, for the Church walls. One of these illustrates the Bible story, while the other shows the history of Congregationalism.

If you are in the area on holiday, do come and visit us. Our Sunday Services are held at 9:30am. To contact us, please e-mail the Minister, the Rev. Christopher Gillham, or you can contact us through our Secretary, Mrs. Esme Utting.

 

The Bible Plaque

Bethel has seen its times of great success like the Revival of 1905 when it experienced many converts. It has also seen its times of disappointment. But whether weak or strong, its one aim has been to proclaim the truth of the Gospel and the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

In 1999 the Church members decided that they wanted to commemorate the Millennium in a different way, and so they commissioned Paul Webb to make two ceramic murals. The Bible Plaque shows scenes from the Bible, from the Creation of the Earth through the fall of man, the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and the eventual establishment of a New Jerusalem.

 

The History Plaque

 

 

The History Plaque depicts scenes from the history of Congregationalism. Congregationalism in Wales began in the reign of Elizabeth I. It is distinctive in proclaiming the Priesthood of all Believers, and in maintaining the independence of the local Church from central control. Bethel belongs to the Congregational Federation which was formed in 1972 when the old Congregational Church in England and Wales was dissolved in order to make way for the formation of the United Reformed Church

 

The Flower Festival

The Flower Festival at Bethel Congregational Church was held as part of our celebrations regarding the Millenium Plaques. The guest speaker at the Commemorative Ceremony was Dr.Dai Lloyd A.M, Plaid Cymru Member of the Welsh Assembly for South West Wales. All of the flower arrangements were made by members of the Church, and each one signifies a specific aspect of one of the plaques.

There are a number of photos below from the flower festival, and a brief description will appear if you hover your mouse pointer over the image. To view the pictures at a larger size, simply click on their thumbnail image

 

 

 

 

Services

Every Sunday at 9.30am