News & Events
Fall Pickers Market
We're excited to be hosting the Northeast Missouri Fall Pickers Market in Bethel on Saturday & Sunday, September 7-8, 2019. Antiques Vintage Architectural Salvage Jewelry & Clothing Repurposed Finds Handmade Crafts Original Art Fall Decor Live Music Food Good...
Adult Fiddle Camp 2019
Annual Adult Fiddle Camp to be held in Bethel, Missouri May 15 to 18, 2019 The camp is held in Bethel, Shelby County, Missouri, a quaint rural hamlet situated in the rolling farm country of Northeast Missouri. Open to aspiring fiddle and guitar players. Adults are...
Wildlife & Outdoor Expo 2019
The First Annual Wildlife & Outdoor Expo will be held in Bethel, Missouri on Labor Day - September 2, 2019. The village of Bethel is a historical German Colony located in Northeast Missouri. Several of the original Colony homes are still in existence. A variety of...
Our History
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.
