Our History

Welcoming the Community Since 1895

As a congregation, we have been serving Christ in the Copeland Community since 1895. It all started with a small band of early settlers who felt the need to meet together in the fellowship of Christ, and to study the Bible together. They started a Sunday School in a log cabin called Pilgrims’ Rest located about 2 miles east of the current church site on Copeland Road.

A young minister, Rev. Berry Copeland, came to preach for them and helped organize the congregation which chose the name Bethel. They were received as a Cumberland Presbyterian congregation in 1896 with 13 charter members. Rev. Copeland served as Pastor on and off for some forty years.

In 1906, Bethel became a United Presbyterian Church. The early church grew rapidly and a new church was built, mainly by volunteer labor, at the corner of Copeland and Wells Roads. This new building was dedicated on the first Sunday in May, 1913. A brick building was erected in 1957. This building was heavily damaged by fire in 1992. The current building rose from the ashes and was dedicated in May of 1994.

Copeland is a part of the North Alabama Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church USA. The church structures are less important than the people of the church. The people of the Copeland congregation have always loved Christ and have sought to serve their Lord in their community and around the world.

Welcoming You Today

Whatever your spiritual needs are, we want to help you address them.

• Do you need a friend? You will find one here.
• Do you want to belong to a community of people that care about you? You can find that here.
• Do you want to find meaning in your life? We will aid you in your search.
  
  
• Do you want to know more about Jesus Christ? We will share what we know.
  

You will find a diverse community here. While some of our members have been here all of their lives, some have been here only a few years. Though many of our members are older, some are younger. Our worship services are a blend of the old and the new. Prayer meetings, small group life, bible study and mission projects are all available here.

Important Scheduling

• Sunday School 9:30 am
• Morning Worship Service 10:30 am
• Bible Study 5:00 pm