Does anyone know the history of Bethesda Church,Swallownest.? The reason Im asking is that my son lives in Bethesda,Maryland,U.S.A. and I wondered if there was any connection,as they are spelt the same.

Have you checked on the Aston cum Aughton or Swallownest websites

Now you have me curious , we have a village just west of Holland Landing , Ontario with the same name ( Bethesda ) . I`ll see what I can find .

Have you checked on the Aston cum Aughton or Swallownest websites
Didnt realise they had their own websites desy.Not sure how to get to them but will try.Thought everyone from Swallownest came on here.

Now you have me curious , we have a village just west of Holland Landing , Ontario with the same name ( Bethesda ) . I`ll see what I can find .Im sure with Bethesda being in Maryland,and the first settlers from England arriving there,Im sure there must be a Bethesda in England,not just a church.I will try and find out more about the church next time I go past.I live in Sheffield,and dont know Swallownest all that well.

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool which is called in Hebrew *Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralysed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?"

The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps in before me."

Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

* NU-Text reads Bethzatha

John 5: 2-9 NKJV

I've also read in other versions of the Bible the name translated as Bethsaida. Interestingly, some friends of mine live in a converted church in Rotherham which formerly shared this name - Church of Bethesda.

The story in John's gospel is such a beautiful one that it seems a good choice to name a church after it.

Thats really interesting Ousetunes.I wonder how the name got to America though ?Maybe the Americans that come on the site may know.:huh:

In the process of looking through the local Aston -cum -Aughton History society groups but not getting much joy. Pm me your e-mail address and I will take a copy of what we have been discussing and see what you can get back when I take it round there it's only a 10 min walk.

Bethesda means "House of God", hence the name of the church. I doubt if there is any connection between the church and Bethesda in the USA. You know what the Americans are like for pinching place names, they have a StPetersburg, a Johannesburg and a Bagdad too.

Hi - I live in Swalownest and go to Bethesda Church in Swallownest, so can perhaps shed some light on this!!!

The church was set up in 1934 and is still going strong - it has a large youth group (which i helped to lead for about 7 years, before stepping down just yesterday), kid's clubs, 2 football teams (one of which i manage and play for), a Mum's and Tot's club, etc etc as well as thriving congregation, great worship band and is also supporting a great number of missions works.

It does not, however, I believe have any real links to Maryland - Bethesda is, as stated above, in the Bible - it is the name of a pool in Jerusalem that was said to have healing properties, created by the visit of an angel - and so there a few churches and areas that share the name i believe.

Any more questions on Swallownest etc - fire them over!!