News & Events

Missouri Humanities Grant Awarded

Missouri Humanities Grant Awarded

Dec 1, 2023

Historic Bethel the Recipient of Missouri Humanities Grant The Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) has awarded a grant of $10,000 to the Historic Bethel German Colony in support of the project, "Stories of Bethel: Engaging the Next Generation to Learn and Share Our...

Christmas in Bethel

Christmas in Bethel

Oct 8, 2023

We hope you'll plan to join us on Sunday, December 3rd, for the annual Christmas in Bethel celebration. Free admission. . FOOD • Fest Hall Restaurant - Serving smorgasbord from 11am to 2pm (turkey and dressing, smoked sausage, more). Enjoy cookies and drinking custard...

Adult Fiddle Camp

Adult Fiddle Camp

Oct 6, 2023

Adult fiddle camp October 11-14, 2023, allows fiddlers age 18 and over to study with master fiddlers to learn new tunes, build a network of fiddler friends, and/or perfect technique. For more information or to register, contact Wendy Brumbaugh at 573-822-9498 or John...

Our History

Bethel, in North River Valley, five miles from Shelbyville, was founded in 1844 as a religious communal colony by Wilhelm Keil and his German-American followers. Keil (1812-1877), an independent preacher, called his adherents “Christians.” Without a written agreement, they shared their property and labor, though private earnings were allowed. Bethel community was early noted for its handicrafts and musical band.

Membership was about 650 in 1855 when Keil, fearing Bethel too subject to outside influence, led a group west and established Aurora Colony in Oregon. Their expedition over the Oregon Trail is unique for it was conducted as a funeral cortege. Keil’s son, Willie, died before he realized his father’s promise to lead the group and was carried instead in the head wagon in a metal box, alcohol-filled. After six months and over 2000 miles, he was buried at Willapa, Washington.

Keil never returned to Bethel, directing affairs there by letter. When the colonies disbanded, 1879-1881, they held property in common valued at $109,806. Bethel supplied $64,328 of this and owned 4267 acres.