THE VILLAGE of Bethesda has had three different names during its history, but there’s only been one Epworth Park, which has endured for more than 140 years.

Before becoming Bethesda, the town was known as Burr’s Mills and Fairmount. The popular park in the village apparently received its name from Epworth, England, the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley. John Wesley is the founder of Methodism, and his brother, Charles, also a preacher, was known for writing 6,500 hymns.

The park has been a place of change over the years, and the latest major happening there as well as on the streets of Bethesda is the Chautauqua Homecoming Days and Bethesda Festival. This year’s varied activities for the celebration will be Saturday and Sunday.

INITIALLY, camp meetings were held at Epworth Park, and the Chautauquas were begun there in the early 1890s. The Rev. Francis Smith in his book, “History Of The Camp Meeting and Chautauqua Movement at Bethesda, Ohio,” reveals that in 1890, three ministers of the Barnesville District of the Methodist Episcopal Church were appointed to arrange for the annual Chautauqua assemblies.

Chautauquas originated in New York in 1874 and provided public lectures, concerts and dramatic performances during the summer months, usually in an outdoor setting.

Speakers such as William McKinley, William Jennings Bryan, Booker T. Washington and Eugene V. Debs appeared at the Bethesda programs. Smith reported that hundreds and thousands appeared on trains, both regular and special, for the events with some arriving from as far away as Newark.

Gone now are the Chautauquas in Bethesda where they flourished for decades until 1940.

EVEN though the Chautauquas are only a memory, the celebration this weekend will be reminder of those days. Still existing are the Victorian cottages and the majestic oaks along with many attractive additions.

Continuing to prevail is the spirit of cooperation which made the Epworth endeavors successful.

When thanking people and organizations for their help, Bethesda Mayor Marty Lucas noted, “It shows that there are a lot of good people out there willing to be involved with their community. That’s what living in a small town is all about.”