This church began in 1874 in the community of Riley, which was named after William O'Riley, and served families within a 10-mile radius of the site. Few people had previously lived in the area because of Indian attacks and tropical diseases, and settlers worshipped under brush arbors until about 1915. In 1888 the congregation was organized at nearby Rye Post Office as Manatee Baptist Church of Christ, with J.B. Lamb as its first pastor until 1889. After a short inactive period, services resumed in 1891 under the leadership of Rev. J.M. Hendry, grandfather of later pastor Rev. A.O. Hendry, who was called to serve in 1973. In 1894 a new church was built at Riley and the name changed to Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, after which the area became known as Bethany. A much larger church was constructed at the present site in 1906, and it is now a museum used for Sunday School and chapel. That same year land was cleared for a cemetery, where Elsie Foot Hawkins became the first person interred in 1912. The present sanctuary was completed in 1974, and homecoming is held on the first Sunday in June.