Sometime in the late 1700's, early Scottish settlers in the area began to gather for worship. They met in each other's homes, or sometimes under a "brush arbor". They were the beginning of the church known as Bethesda Presbyterian Church. Bethesda means "House of Loving Kindness", or "House of Mercy".

Three Presbyterian churches were formed on the same day, with the same minister. The preacher rode the circuit, preaching one Sunday a month at each new church. One of these preaching points was Bethesda. It was then known as the "Church at the Head of Rockfish Creek".

By 1832, Bethesda Presbyterian Church, as it was now known, had grown so much that a new building was needed. A larger, more fitting house of worship was built right on the spot where the present building stands. Within another 30 years it was obvious that Bethesda was still growing, and would need a still larger building. The old building was taken down, piece by piece, to be used again in a new and larger structure that is now "Old Bethesda".

Most of the members lived in the growing railroad community of Aberdeen. In 1906, the congregation decided to build a chapel "in town" on land donated by John Blue near the railroads and close to the source of electric power. The Chapel was completed in 1907, and became the principal house of worship in 1910. Several additions were made to that building, too, but the congregation again outgrew it.

The beautiful edifice that now houses Bethesda, built in 1972, sits overlooking a pond, a focal point of calm and peace amidst the bustle of U.S. Route 1.