When Bethany United Methodist Church was formed in 1855, it was many years before the phenominem known as ‘movies’ would be on the scene.
This charming country church, located in the northeast corner of Fayette County, was chosen as the site of movie, “Joyful Noise”. Several sites in the county are being used, including the Fred Brown Amphitheater in Peachtree City.
Some 150 members have been temporarily displaced, using the Parrott Funeral Home chapel for their Sunday services.
The movie company, though changing the insides of the church and fellowship hall, will soon put everything back the way it was before they came. The cemetery across the street was also used for a scene.
The movie will feature Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Jeremy Jordan, Dexter Darden, Kris Kristofferson, Courtney B. Vance, and Jesse L. Martin. It will be distributed by Warner Bros and is tentatively scheduled for release in January 2012.
It is the story of an unlikely partnership between two strong-minded women who are forced to work together to save a small town Gospel Choir after budget cuts. The plot surely sounds like it could have happened right here, all right.
Representing the church is Brenda Torbush, its historian, and Chairman of the Board of Stewards. She commented “these movie folks are the nicest folks to be around and to talk to. I have thoroughly enjoyed my association with them.”
