News & Events

Youth Fiddle Camp June 2023

Youth Fiddle Camp June 2023

May 8, 2023

Registration is now open for this year's youth camp held in historic Bethel, Missouri! One of the longest running fiddle camps in the United States, the Bethel Youth Fiddle Camp is excited about its 37th year! The Bethel Youth Fiddle camp is a week long, lesson...

Another Brick in the Wall

Another Brick in the Wall

Apr 27, 2023

Any profits from Bethel Colony events go toward ongoing preservation and maintenance of Colony buildings, many on the National Register of Historic Places. Pictured is a current project underway on Main Street which we could use your help in funding. We contracted for...

Bethel Colony Spring Market

Bethel Colony Spring Market

Mar 14, 2023

Join us in Historic Downtown Bethel for the Bethel Colony Spring Market April 15-16, 2023 Admission $2 Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 10am-3pm FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES! • Artisans • Antique Vendors • Craftsmen • Flea Market Tables • Vintage Finds • Home Decor •...

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.