News & Events
16th Annual Youth Big Buck Hunt
The 16th annual Bethel Colony "Youth Hunt" competition will take place the youth weekend only, November 2-3, 2019. The buck with the most points (minimum size of 1" point to qualify) wins 50% of the entry pool, along with other prizes. Bethel Colony retains the...
Bethel German Colony 175th Anniversary Heritage Day
As we approach the 175th anniversary of the founding of Bethel, it seems appropriate to include artisans in the Septaquintaquinquecentennial events. We also thought it was the perfect opportunity to invite third thru fifth grade school children to Bethel again to...
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.
