Changes

There was a Sunday School work started in nearby Deep Creek in the early 1940's that became Deep Creek Gospel Hall, later known as Union Gospel Chapel. Bernard L. Redford, among others from the main assembly held gospel meetings there. This assembly was still active in the early 1950's.

In 1961, Newport News Gospel Hall changed their name to Bethany Gospel Chapel. Around 1962, when the area around the area was becoming more commercialized, the assembly moved to 40 Ballard Road in a residential neighborhood, where more children could have easy access to hear the Gospel. Construction of Bethany Gospel Chapel was begun in September 1963 and the chapel was dedicated in June 1964. The congregation numbered 125-150 in 1963, and had outgrown their Sunday School quarters. Officers in 1963 included John Millar, Jr., his brother William O. Millar, Bailey as the SS Supt., and J.P. Dale as chairman of the board of trustees. Around 1989, several families left Bethany to plant Hampton Roads Community Church, which lasted about ten years before dissolving.

Bethany has been a popular spot for itinerant preachers since the beginnings, and have had many types of community outreaches from Vacation Bible School, youth conferences, etc. The assembly presently has one resident worker, with about forty congregants in 2020.

 =Visiting Itinerants=* Also see [[Visiting Ministry at Bethany Gospel Chapel* in honor of those promoted to Glory, Newport Newsand/or transplanted elsewhere, VA]]etc.

There have been annual conferences since the early years attended by hundreds from the area, and advertised in the local newspaper. Some of the conference reports are here, as well as reports on ministering brethren. See [[Visiting Ministry at Bethany Gospel Chapel, Newport News, VA]] for a more comprehensive list.