The Haunted Church with a History

Bethel Methodist Church is an old Methodist church featuring a stone foundation and white weatherboard walls, situated adjacent to a graveyard along the boundaries of East Fork State Park. This church occupies the same site as the original log building constructed in the early 1800s by circuit-riding preacher John Collins, who traveled extensively during a time when churches were scarce. By 1818, the current structure was built on the site of the former log cabin. According to local legends, Collins was the first Methodist minister to preach in the Cincinnati region.

All of that aside, the church was reluctantly abandoned by its community when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers required the land to create East Fork State Park. Despite this, a spirit from its past is said to remain. Over the years, numerous visitors have reported encounters with the ghostly figure of an elderly woman, often seen gliding gracefully between the church and the adjacent cemetery. Locals whisper that she serves as a guardian of the old graveyard, vigilantly watching over the final resting places of the departed. It is said that she fiercely protects the sanctity of the grounds, especially from those who approach with disrespect or disregard for the cemetery’s solemn rules. Her presence has become a part of the legend surrounding the area, blending the legacy of the church with the mysteries of the past, and leaving many to wonder about the stories she might tell if only she could speak.

Stopping in at the Old Church

Nearby Hiking Trails at East Fork State Park:

Prairie Trail 0.5 miles, easy. Loop.
Park Road 3
Bethel, OH 45106
Parking: (39.012350, -84.138356)

Steven Newman Worldwalker Perimeter Trail — 30.1 miles, moderate; multi-use for horses, hikers, and backpackers. Access and parking on the north side of the Perimeter Trail are available at the campground visitor parking lot. Trail named after the famous world walker from Bethel, Ohio. Five overnight areas are provided. All backpackers must register for overnight areas. Trailhead: (39.00531, -84.13581)
Camp 1 (39.006806, -84.134755)
Camp 2 (38.992670, -84.106030)
Camp 3 (38.998056, -84.074583)
Camp 4 (39.051028, -84.115778)
Camp 5 (39.020495, -84.162288)
The trail is marked in green blazes. Some of the trail is shared with the Buckeye Trail, so you may see blue blazes in some sections. May be muddy as shared with horse riders.

Storybook Trail 0.5 mile, moderate (not wheelchair/stroller friendly).
Near Beach Pavilion
Off Park Road 2
Bethel, OH 45106
Parking: (39.017261, -84.132913)

North side of lake:

Fern Hill Loop Trail — 1.4 miles, moderate
Loop K
Batavia, OH 45103
(39.028959, -84.094902)

Mountain biking permitted. It takes about 30 minutes to hike. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and exploring. Dogs must be on a leash. This is a fee area from Memorial Day through Labor Day and during special events

Whippoorwill Trail
In the East Fork Campground Check-in right before the booth 0.6 miles, easy loop
Batavia
Ohio 45103
(39.047365, -84.102974)
It takes about 15 minutes to hike. Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash.

Williamsburg-Batavia Hike Bike Trail — 6 miles. Begins at the end of Old Broadway Road in Williamsburg and follows Williamsburg-Bantam Road through the East Fork Wildlife Area. After crossing Kain Run Creek via bridge, the trail winds to a scenic overlook along the edge of the lake. From there, the trail proceeds to the campground area and connects to the main campground road. The trail continues to follow the main park road and eventually connects to Zagar Road in Batavia Township.

For other locations and mileage: There are several locations throughout the Village to “park and ride” for Hike/Bike Trail visitors:

• Harmony Hill at 299 S. Third
• Williamsburg “Old” High School at 549 W Main
• Community Parking Lot at 285 W. Main
• Village Offices (Community Center) at 107 W Main
• Williamsburg Community Park at 150 E Main

West side of lake by US Army Corps property:

Deer Ridge Trailhead 0.5 miles, easy. Takes about 10-15 minutes.
2185 Slade Road
Batavia, OH 45103
(39.025000, -84.145157) Located across from the US Army Corps of Engineers Visitors Center off Slade Road.

Tailwater — 2 miles, moderate. Located below the dam.

Backpack Trail — 16 miles, moderate, Red blazes. It is a challenging hike through oak-hickory forest and old fields. Trail starts at South Trailhead.

Mountain Bike Trails -10 plus miles, easy to moderate. There are four trails through woods starting from the South Trailhead. Bikers yield to hikers.

Bridle Trails – 22 miles, easy to moderate. Five different trails can be accessed from the Horse Activity/North Trailhead Lot off of Park Road 4. Hikers should yield to horseback riders when hiking on horse and multi-use trails.