History:

The Ebenezer Baptist Church was organized December 5, 1835.  The history of the church actually dates back to November 23, 1816 when the Stillwater Baptist Church was constituted in an old brick building on National Road in Union Township.  The members composing this church resided in Union and Goshen Townships.  It was mutually agreed upon for the convenience of those living in the northwest part of Goshen Township, to form two churches of those attending the church at that time.  A building was erected at Rockhill and dedicated November 22, 1835.  The members residing in Goshen Township established a church, and in 1833 a hewed log house was built for a church.  The church was dedicated formally December 5, 1835.  In 1853, the old log house was replaced by a neat frame building located near the Ebenezer Baptist Cemetery on old Route 147.

The present church building, located at 309 Oak Street in Bethesda, Ohio, was constructed in 1897 - 1898.  It was completed March 16, 1898 and dedicated May 29, 1898.  On January 9, 1955 additional Sunday School rooms were dedicated which were made by remodeling the front porch of the parsonage.  In 1968-1969 a full basement was constructed under the present church building for additional Sunday School rooms.  On May 27, 1973, the 75th anniversary of the present building, a new Educational Building, located directly behind the church, was dedicated.

As the Lord continued to add families to our local church, more space was needed for the Wednesday night Ebenezer Baptist Soldiers Kids Club, Sunday School classes, and fellowships.  In May, 2009, we began to demolish the club building.  Groundbreaking took place May 31, 2009 after the evening service for the new fellowship hall which was named Paulman Hall in memory of Richard and Evelyn Paulman.  They were long-time faithful members who had lived dedicated lives to our Lord.  They had been involved with our rest home ministry at Barnesville Healthcare Center for 25 years, they had taught Sunday School, and Richard was a deacon for many years.  Paulman Hall was dedicated in November, 2009.