The Ship's Wheel

One of the unique designs at Bethany Beach Christian Church is the ship's wheel hanging next to the cross in the front of the sanctuary. The fact that we are here facing the ocean would be the normal assumption for its significance. However, the ship's wheel holds a deeper meaning.

The church building sits on the grounds of the Camp and Conference Center, where our youth attend camp annually. In 1956, one of the campers drowned during camp, and this ship's wheel hangs here in his memory. The importance of this symbol represents the faith and belief of Disciples - that all are welcomed.

Because we had African-American children at camp, our campers were prevented from swimming at the public beach, where there were trained lifeguards. Therefore, all the campers went up the beach to swim as a group. Unfortunately, a riptide formed and took Keith Cook's life. While the staff tried to save everyone caught in the rip, they were unable to reach Keith, and his body was recovered two weeks later by the Coast Guard. The campers, his family, and his home church donated the money to have this wheel hung here in our church, to guide us all home.

Watch the video below, narrated by Worship Chair Sandy Stark, to learn more about this story.