Bethany was established as a branch of Union Church in 1841 and was constituted in May 1847. It remains an active congregation, meeting on the third Saturday and Sunday of each month.
A pavilion for dinners-on-the ground is essential, as this style of Primitive Baptist meeting house is essentially a sanctuary with room for nothing else. They are very utilitarian, as are their Crawfordite cousins.
The church and grounds are situated on a high bluff of Arabia Bay, which is actually a Carolina bay surrounded by an extensive swamp. The cemetery has always been known as Arabia Cemetery, for its location. It’s the final resting place of many Clinch County pioneers.
Perhaps the white sand led pioneers to call the land here “Arabia”. The cemetery can seem quite stark to those who have never seen these white sand burial grounds common in Southeast Georgia, but they really have a subtle beauty.
Arabia is particularly well-maintained. The beautiful decorative arch marking the entrance is a landmark itself, having been given in memory of R. G. Dickerson, who died in 1924, by Mrs. R. G. Dickerson and family. The crossroads near the church are known as Dickerson Crossing.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
I am a direct descendant of ROBERT G DICKERSON. I HAVE TRIED FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO FIND HIS BIRTH PARENTS. SINCE HE NAMED HIS FIRST BORN ,RANSON JAMES. IM THINKING HIS BIRTH DAD WAS RANSOM
We would love to talk with someone who knows the history well of this area. My great grandparents are buried here. Osteens…Very interested in knowing about our family roots…
Would there any possibility the unmarked older graves will ever be ID ? I would dearly love to know which set belongs to my gggreat grands: Edward and Jane Moore! Thank you for any help or suggestions!I have visited in person and Arabia Cemetery is very beautiful and well kept!
Thanks for the article. I have tons of family buried here. All the Tomlinson’s, Lees, OSteens, Mock, Cornelius, Dame, Jeffords, Mathis, Conine, Gaskins, etc . This church has always been a part of our lives. Awesome article 💝💝💝
You are very welcome, Charlene. I really love the old cemetery.
Brian,
I appreciate the photos on Arabia Cemetery and the Church. My great grandparents and grand parents are buried there. We used to go to the Tomlinson Reunions there.
Thank You,
Carroll Higgs
My relatives are the O’Steens too!
Would love to talk with you about your O’Steen roots…
Thanks for sharing this with us, Brian. I’d love to visit this church and cemetery some day.
All of my mother’s relatives – the Osteens- are buried here! My mother loved going back & looking at the graves! She had the ones of her mother & dad redone because they had turned black!