Friends, or Quakers, of Carolina origin were the first settlers along Bear Creek, arriving in the 1830s from Wayne County, Indiana. Occasional Quaker worship was held here as early as 1837. Quaker general meetings began here in 1867, and the congregation was officially established as Olive Branch Preparative Meeting in 1874 at a site one mile west. This site was secured in 1883, and the original part of the present structure was dedicated in 1884, when the name was changed to Bear Creek. The building was enlarged in 1905, 1946-47, 1959, 1975, 2001, and 2021-22. Bear Creek Friends Church has sent many workers into Christian ministry and has long been active in evangelism, world missions, peace, and temperance. The people of this church are called to win others to faith in Jesus Christ and to equip them for service to His Kingdom.