Bethel Church Arbor is an open, hand-hewn, timber-framed structure built as a religious shelter for camp meetings. Its exact construction date is not known, but church records indicate that at least the earlier section of the arbor was standing in 1866. Built in two stages, the arbor now measures 74 by 57 feet. Heavy timbers supporting the roof are beams attached with mortise and tenon joints and further secured with wooden pegs. Its original use was to house annual week-long camp meeting revivals, typically held the second Sunday in August after the crops had been laid by. Rows of tents, or small wooden cabins, stood about the periphery of the campgrounds. The arbor was constructed to contain the overflow from the church sanctuary as people came from far and near with their families, some with their animals. Parishioners were called by trumpet to no less than four meetings a day, at 8 and 11 a.m. and 2 and 8 p.m. Services were characterized by long prayers, loud preaching, plenty of shouting, and many conversations.