Bethel Christian Church in Eastman was a Disciples of Christ congregation. I believe the church was built circa 1925. Tax records date it to 1940, but since the Dodge County Courthouse burned in 1939, 1940 is just a referential date, and not the correct date for construction. Thanks to Sue Williamson for sharing the following history, which I have abridged. I believe it was written for one of the last church Homecoming events and am unsure as to its author, though it was likely Willie Jane Simmons (1928-2020).

During the early 1900s, a small band of Christian believers joined in faith and organized the Bethel Christian Church in the Shiloh community…The membership was made up of the Summer Family, Jim Thomas Family, Sherman Price Family, and the Heath Family. They were a small group meeting in an old house, but they kept the faith.

A few years later, Mr. Jay Williamson erected a church building here in Eastman for the group and the membership began to grow. Elder Jim Thomas kept records of all church activities. The other ministers were Rev. Yapp and Deacon Sherman Price. Later, Elder Jim Thomas was ordained as minister and he served several years. Mrs. Martha Thomas was designated “Mother” of the church. Other ministers were Rev. Still and Rev. Coney. They also served several years.

During the early 1930s there was a great drop in membership due to members moving to other states, but Rev. Thomas kept the doors of Bethel open...

During the 1950s, the church began to grow. Members from the Christian Hope Christian Church in the northern section of the community connected with Bethel after their church burned down. Brother Elijah Goolsby, Brother Elo Whiting, Deacon Frank King, Brother Mathis Power, Brother Flanles King, Brother Seabon King, and Brother Charles Simmons and others joined here at Bethel. Brother Ed Simmons’s family connected after returning from West Palm Beach, Florida. Elder Simmons walked many Sundays to help Elder Thomas to conduct service…

Elder Ed Simmons worked with the State and National convention. He was able to get representatives to come and conduct meetings with us…Elder Simmons was always concerned with our basic mission, known today as Disciples’ Mission which included Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving, among others…

In 1990 we observed a special Homecoming. We celebrated and paid tribute to the “Mother of the Church”, Mother Rosebud Simmons, who was 93 years old. We enjoyed the churches who celebrated this occasion with us…

From reading the history, other pastors were Rev. D. T. Williams, Rev. R. H. Mitchell, Rev. L. C. Hunter, and Rev. Al Whiting. The church was still active as late as 2011, but the congregation disbanded some time after that.