NEW BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH
HOMECOMING PLANNED FOR MAY 29
 

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – The annual Homecoming of New Bethel Baptist Church on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge Reservation will be held with services beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 29.

The Rev. A.H. James will lead the worship service and music will be provided by Tootie Grubb and Kathy Anderson. 

The Church is located on Bethel Valley Road in Oak Ridge about one-half mile east of the main entrance to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  The Church served the Bethel community in eastern Roane and western Anderson counties until 1942 when the area was taken over by the federal government to make way for Manhattan Project facilities.  The Church was founded in 1851 and the building dates back to 1924. 

ORNL will be making special considerations this Memorial Day weekend for access to onsite cemeteries.  On Memorial Day, May 30, the Lab will open the outer perimeter bar gates to provide cemetery access to all visitors.  Except for Memorial Day, the bar gates will remain closed as normal for the remainder of the weekend. 

Security patrols will be available to greet weekend visitors who arrive at the outer portal and request entrance to one of the area cemeteries.  Every effort will be made to provide appropriate access and accommodate those who wish to visit grave sites. 

People attending Sunday Church services and/or visiting the grave sites at New Bethel Baptist Church will require photo identification.  In addition, a routine visual inspection of their vehicle interior will be conducted at the portal entrance at Bethel Valley Road.  A visitors’ pass will be issued at the gate for the church area only.  All bar gates will be closed at dusk, and no public visits to the church or cemeteries will be allowed after dark.

More information about the Homecoming is available by calling Dot Anderson at (865) 966-4680.

-DOE-

R-05-019