Reverend George L. Pike grew up in a small Southern Baptist church where he became a Christian as a teenager. By the time he was in his late 20s, Pike was ordained into the Church of God. In 1966, at the age of 37, he founded his non-profit organization in Olive Branch, Mississippi under the chartered name of Jesus Christ Eternal Kingdom of Abundant Life, Inc. Pike’s organization set up training and ordination for those entering the ministry. Over 80 churches internationally grew out of the organization.
In 1970, George Pike moved to Monroe, Georgia. He purchased a 70-acre tract of land that he named Little Bethlehem, affectionately referred to as the “The Home of the Soul.” Pike soon after began to build his international headquarters for world evangelism. Little Bethlehem is not affiliated with any specific denomination. George Pike focused his message and ministry on the final book of the King James Version of the Bible, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The basis of his message is that God reveals Himself to humanity through shapes, symbols just as society uses letters, numbers, and sounds to define, describe and prove theory and understanding. Pike’s sole purpose was to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all humankind.
The chapel was constructed in 1970 by George Pike and his fellow church members. He solely depended on donations from the congregation to build the church. Over time, the building became a patchwork of materials and equipment. It was not uncommon for several hundred people to attend church services at Little Bethlehem. The church grew to become a home for dozens of families from all over the United States. Only a small number of members or residents were from the local area. The actual residents on the property were made up of missionary families from dozens of states, including New York and California. There were even some families from other countries, who had or were in the process of becoming U.S. citizens.
The local townspeople were not accustomed to Pike’s charismatic ministry. His unconventional style and old school Southern Baptist teachings were polarizing to some, while others revered Pike as a prophet. During the late 70s and early 80s, the church experienced its most substaintial growth when three churches rom different states relocated to Little Bethlehem after hearing Pike speak at a revival. Soon after, rumors began to swirl about George Pike and his ministry.
There were rumors Pike would take the congregation’s money and only give them back what he thought they needed to live on. However, it is untrue. In fact, George Pike never handled or involved himself with the financial responsibilities of the church. He was known to never carry cash or credit cards. The men of the church would gather for weekly open meetings where decisions were made on funding, missionary, or religious endevours of any sort. The men would volunteer to carry out these tasks. They would use fundraisers or contribute from their funds to further whatever endeavors had been voted and agreed upon.
Beyong the rumors of hoarding money, there were also salacious rumors that George Pike had physical relationships with chosen women of the church. Perhaps, these rumors were fueled by local townspeople who viewed Pike’s church as a Jim Jones cult-type movement or maybe from the church’s strict dress codes. A security team was created by church members to protect Pike’s family and also to prevent Little Bethlehem from being overrun with visitors.
The church also had a strict code of ethics between males and females. Fellowship between male and female adults were mostly limited to church gatherings or group settings. Strict rules and guidelines that included dress codes, language, conversation or unsupervised, and unmonitored fellowship were in effect daily. The majority observed these rules on a rigorous and religious basis. There was zero tolerance for any infidelity by anyone, especially the pastor and leaders of the church. Any drug use, alcohol, dishonesty, or physical abuse were grounds for expulsion and ex-communication for those involved.
George Pike envisioned an open-air market at Little Bethlehem. In 1975, He built a six-sided bank known as The Reserve to be the center of the market. Church members could sell handcrafted items, healthy food, clothes, and dry goods, all at deeply discounted prices. Teller windows on the sides of the bank would have been where people came to pay for their products, deposit, or withdraw money. The nearby concrete pillars were the beginning stages of a roof that would cover half of the market. Neighbors joked that the posts were “soul launchers”, for launching the souls of Pike’s congregation into outer space.
The market operated on what Pike called Script currency, a form of paper money that was sold at equal dollar value to U.S. currency, also redeemable at any time for U.S. currency. The only individuals allowed to purchase the Script currency were church members. Pike believed this prevented non-members from having access to the community economy.
A member of Pike’s congregation once confused a blank check from The Reserve with a check from his business account with a public bank. He mistakenly paid a bill to an outside vendor with a check from The Reserve. The check cleared all the way to the Federal Reserve in Atlanta. Since it was not part of their banking currency clearing system, the FBI came to Little Bethlehem to investigate. Upon their arrival and meeting with George Pike and others, the FBI concluded that as long as the members did not use their currency or checks outside of the privately owned community businesses, then it was legal. The FBI told Pike that he could link The Reserve with the Federal Reserve so that the checks could be used at public businesses. However, Pike declined and the markets continued, with extra caution and emphasis being placed on not allowing Script currency or checks to be presented to outside businesses.
The large house at Little Bethlehem was named “The Father’s House” since it was built for George Pike by members of the church. Construction on the house started in the early 1980s. After ten years of work, there are many areas of the house that remain unfinished. Plans included adding an additional story. The spiral staircases doubled as fire escapes from the upstairs living quarters. There is also an area that was left reserved for an elevator.
The certificate of occupancy was granted in 1996. However, it is still under construction today. The blueprints for the house show it in a much more elaborate state than what has been built so far. Now referred to as, “The Manor” and “The House of DAVAD,” the home is currently lived in by one of Pike’s sons and his family. Reverend George Pike never actually moved into the home. Instead, he remained in the smaller house next door. Pike dedicated the large house as a guest house.
Reverend George L. Pike passed away unexpectedly on June 10, 1996. He is buried in a star-shaped mausoleum on the property. Church leaders began construction on the crypt in the same month Pike died. However, it was not complete until 2002-2003. George Pike’s son, David, became a senior pastor after his father’s death. He later resigned in 1999. Little Bethlehem changed hands and pastors numerous times afterward. In 2013, David Pike was invited back to pray the closing prayer and say the final words at the closing of the church. After the church closed, Little Bethlehem was left abandoned.
In 2016, David Pike and other church members purchased all of the assets and proprietary rights from the original non-profit through a corporation he started. Today, he maintains a residence at Little Bethlehem and hopes to preserve his father’s legacy.
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For more photos of Little Bethlehem and many other locations across Georgia check out my book, Abandoned Georgia: Traveling the Backroads.
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Abandoned Southeast 
That kind of freaky, perhaps they should have removed all the pews and emptied the pool and turned into one bizarre holy roller rink. Million facet mirrored disco ball hung from the ceiling.
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If your eyes of understanding were enlightened to see the symbolic meanings of the inside of Loves Temple, you wouldn’t have made such an ignorant statement as you did. May God bless you with wisdom is my prayer.
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Such ignorance. what’s freaky about a preacher trying to help people find a better, more peaceful way of life ?
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One really should not comment unless you knew this man and and his family . His belief in Christ saved may people and could be used to turn this wicked world around. People always like to make statements that aren’t true or irrelevant when they don’t understand or want to understand.
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This was once a vibrant church and a thriving Christian Community. the place was charged with a unique sense of spiritual enthusiasm. The preacher was a powerful and stoic figure; and whether he was hurling verbal Thunder, or offering more quieted consolation, he always spoke as one who had Authority! It was an old-time holiness version of the Gospel, which translated well into community life. Little Bethlehem was somewhat like an Amish community, but with no prohibitions on technology or modern conveniences. His was a Ministry of biblical proportions. You couldn’t spend a significant amount of time there without eventually encountering the miraculous and the unexplainable. Yet the only Miracle George Pike ever focused on was the transformation of the human heart. He was masculine and courageous, yet tender-hearted and easy going. I believe his extraordinary life was made possible by his unwavering conviction, that where as “many are called,” only those who respond appropriately become the “few are chosen.” Though his Revelation was seemingly deep and complex, yet to those who understood it, the theme was simple: Man’s greatest calling is to be like Jesus, for in him the fullness of God can be found.
Written by: Frank Berretta Jr.
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Frank that was very well said! Hope you and your family are doing well 🙂
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Thanks Richard. Yes, by the grace of God we’re all doing well. I hope the same for you and your family.
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still have sermons aired on WDJS radio Mount Olive NC like years ago here 252-550-0461
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Because of you brother Jimmy, his ministry still echoes today
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I love him, an extraordinary man in ministry, a wonderful family and an amazing assembly.
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Totally a cult
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ignorance must be bliss, huh?
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And what evidence do you have to support your statement.
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My family and I used to drive past this place on the way to visit relatives. I always wondered what the story was behind it, and it’s really interesting to finally learn! I can appreciate the good intentions behind it, it’s rather sad how it all turned out.
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252-550-0461 lets have the sermons aired again now FM 102.5 now also and 10,000 watt 1430am jimmy
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Any pictures from inside “The Father’s House”?
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Dear pastor can you please help me with some Free Gospel tracts.years a go you use to help me.1989.songs books,the Gospel tracts must be in Dutch.address.Suresh Madramootoo. P.o.box.1454.Paramaribo Suriname. (South amarica)
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I would be happy to send you any gospel literature that you need. Please visit the Facebook page titled Rev. George Leon Pike Sr. – Quotes & Fellowship
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Why put rumors or even mention rumors?
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Tim, The Pikes want to put the rumors to rest and state the truths which is what we did in the article. If you would like to talk more, email me. Thanks.
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I want the same please don’t drag this mans good name through the mud. There is nothing I can add that his grandson hasn’t mentioned and stated well. I enjoy your work. The places are interesting, the photographs are stunning and the stories well written. Some of things in the piece “ Little Bethlehem “ as far rumors and gossip just struck me as derogatory. It just struck a wrong chord . I didn’t mean to make any accusations. Please understand it is personal because my father loved this giant of a man. This was a way of life for me for a period of time and part of my history. Thank you for your response.
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Tim, I apologize if the blog hit home and seemed derogatory. The purpose of the blog is to educate. Like I said, the goal of the blog is to end the rumors.
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Hi
God bless you for your labour in His vineyard.
I kindly request for gospel tracks, sermon books and other gospel books. Do you have Bible commentary? If so I kindly request for one to be able to teach and preach the word of God.
Am a pastor in my local church.
My address is
PO Box 25 – 60103 Runyenjes, Embu, Kenya
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Where in Monroe was/is this located? I love touring this area and finding interesting, out of the way places with stories connected to them. If someone could share the address, I’d be most appreciative. Thank you.
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It is right off Hwy 78 just outside Monroe Georgia, headed east towards Athens. It is on George L Pike Parkway, which is on the right about a mile past the Walmart distribution center.
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This is interesting. All power to them, seems to be one of the few groups that looks super cult-like from the outside but did its best to not be.
My personal opinions about religion granted make me think many religions are cut like though haha. Neat to see the work they put in to this and thought process. As long as they were not aggressive into “converting others” to their way of thinking, all the power to them.
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We stumbled upon Little Bethlehem as we were doing our usual roaming around Georgia looking for hidden gems, treasures and out of the way places in what I call being somewhere nowhere. As we did not want to cause problems or trespass, we cautiously stopped and took pictures of this wonderful, cool place tucked off Highway 78 near Athens that we spotted from the road, thinking at first it was a Jewish temple or Messianic Jewish compound. My girlfriend being the resourceful one she is quickly found the story about this place on your great website, sad and bittersweet to go with the quiet that resides in that place. As always, it seems a dream had fallen due to the ignorance and intolerance of those who don’t care to
understand.
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I remember coming to Little Bethlehem as a young man with my dad and mom and it was totally a heavenly bless. The love and compassion that Reverend George Pike had for the lost was astonishing. I truly miss the time that we spent at Little Bethlehem and I will always cherish the ministry and teachings of this great man of God.
Thank you for all that you are doing.
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It’s not abandoned and is private property! Please do not come walking around taking pictures without permission. That is trespassing!
This property is being turned in to a rehab/ sober living facility to continue doing good for people!
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These photos were taken with the permission of David Pike.
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