Bethel Baptist Church at Sassafras in Gloucester has added three rooms and will dedicate them at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17.
Dr. Dorothy C. Cooke, church historian and program chairman, said the history room will be named the “Sassafras Stage—Bethel Heritage and Legacy Room.” She said Sassafras Stage was the first name of the church when it was organized in 1867.
The classrooms will be named for a founder and first Sunday school superintendent, Beverley Burrell, and for Thomas Calhoun Walker Jr., born a slave who became a lawyer, educator and leader in Gloucester County.
The “Service of Praise, Consecration and Dedication” will include a message from the Rev. Stevens Burrell, who is pastor of Gleaning Baptist Church and grandson of Beverley Burrell.
Music will be provided by the combined Gleaning and Bethel choirs, directed by Bethel’s minister of music, Dr. Vaughn Elliott.
The service will also include a special presentation, a responsive litany led by...