Bethany Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (formerly known as Emmanuel Church of God in Christ Mennonite Church) is located one mile south of Rich Hill, Bates County, Missouri. It was organized in 1923. The first worship services were held in homes and schools. In 1942 a church was built with a seating capacity of 120, with Henry Dirks as the leading minister. In 1945 J. J. Esau was ordained as minister and Nathan Schmidt as deacon. The 1955 membership was 90, with Harvey Yost and Henry Dirks as ministers. In 2008 the membership was 160; the ministers were Myron Koehn, Gary Schmidt, and Lance Dirks.

Additional Information

Address: One mile south of Rich Hill, and 0.5 miles west on gravel road

Phone: 417-395-2411

Denominational Affiliation: Church of God in Christ, Mennonite

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, p. 203. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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