Bethel Township

Bethel Township is located along the southern border of Delaware County, in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bethel is bordered by Concord Township to the west, Upper Chichester to the east, Aston Township to the north and New Castle County, Delaware to the south.

The name of the township was recorded as "Bethel Lyberty" and was imported directly from Palestine. The word is said to signify "House of God" being the name of the second Hebrew letter (Beth-el) which is made after the fashion of a Hebrew house. Bethel Hamlet was settled at a very early date, and was probably composed of the first rudely constructed dwellings of the early immigrants who built them near each other for safety.

Date of Settlement: 1682. Bethel Township was incorporated from Concord Township in 1683.

Area: 5.44 square miles

 Population: 
         1980 Census: 2,438 
         1990 Census: 3,330 
         2000 Census: 6,421 
				 
				 
Bethel Township Historical Society 
610-485-4888 
1369 Naaman's Creek Road, Boothwyn, PA 19062 


Bethel Township Historic Preservation Society 
610-485-8341 
1645 Bethel Road, Boothwyn, PA 19061 

Distance to Center City Philadelphia: 20 miles

School District: Garnet Valley 610-459-7733

Early history of Bethel: Delco History from www.delcohistory.org