The Bethesda House of Mercy Full Gospel Church, a branch off the Congregational Holiness Church Conference, has a rich history rooted in faith and dedication. Located in Floyd, the church’s story intertwines with the lives of its founding members and the spiritual journeys of those it has served.

The church’s pastor, Ed Gallimore, and his wife, Debbie, reside in Christiansburg but hail from Floyd. Ed’s great-grandfather founded Wills Ridge Lumber Supply in the 1950s, where Ed began serving customers at the age of 10. At the age of 13, Ed began using drugs and partying; he continued this lifestyle through most of his teenage years. He was introduced to Debbie at 15, but she was uninterested in Ed because of his lifestyle. The two later began dating when he returned from a hitchhiking trip to Texas when he was 16. Ed would then attend church with her and her family, which sparked an interest in Ed for ministry and service. Ed and Debbie married at 18, and both were saved by 19. 

Ed began actively participating in tent revivals and took up the spiritual baton from Rev. JB Shelton, son of Rev. Elmer Shelton. Before becoming a pastor, Ed served as a deacon at Shawsville Congregational Church for 30 years and would later lead tent revivals in Shawsville. He became a deacon at age 23 and served in that role for 30 years. Deb also served as a secretary and treasurer for 20 years at Shawsville. Pastor Ed and his wife have been married for 47 years. 

The family’s spiritual roots trace back to Ed’s great-grandparents, Cordell and Stella Gallimore, dedicated Christians who raised eight children in Indian Valley. Despite the demands of farming and land clearing, Cordell faithfully took his eight children to a local community church that hosted Methodist, Baptist, and Pentecostal congregations. Rev. Elmer Shelton, the Pentecostal preacher, played a significant role in their faith journey. Ed’s grandfather, Leslie, the oldest of the eight children, was saved at one of Rev. Elmer Shelton’s tent revivals in the 1940s. Leslie actively supported Rev. Shelton’s ministry by bringing him groceries and firewood to assist those in need.

Rev. JB Shelton later continued his father’s tradition. As a boy, Rev. JB disliked traveling from Hiwassee to Floyd for services, yet he answered the Lord’s call to ministry. When Bethesda House of Mercy was founded, Rev. JB and his wife, Shirley, joined the congregation, serving as worship leaders, prayer partners, and mentors to young believers until their passing.

Ed was born in Christiansburg to Iris and Dale. Iris was raised in Copper Hill and Dale in Floyd. The couple also had two daughters, both of whom live in Floyd. Iris and Dale are no longer together; they divorced when Ed was in the second grade. Iris lives in Christiansburg and faithfully attends Grace Life Baptist Church, and Dale attends Shawsville Congregational Holiness Church, where Ed served years ago.

The Bethesda House of Mercy building, constructed in 1904, initially served as a Primitive Baptist Church. After a period of vacancy, Mr. Marshall of Marshall Nursery purchased and upgraded the property, intending to establish a Catholic Church for his Hispanic employees. The building later hosted various startup church groups before becoming home to Bethesda House of Mercy 12 years ago.

Bethesda’s congregation includes individuals whose lives have been transformed by faith, including Kayla Shelton. Once entangled in addiction, Kayla’s struggle led her to a five-year jail sentence, being released after five months of good behavior. Kayla said she “cried out to God for saving, and he did.” After embracing faith and sobriety, she sought direction and pursued education, earning a degree in human services. Despite previous brain injuries that hindered her ability to read and retain information, Kayla excelled academically, earning a place on the Dean’s List. Today, she is a certified peer recovery specialist. Kayla credits God and Bethesda for turning her life around. 

Another member, Wendy Pauly, overcame a 14-year battle with addiction. After her children were taken away, Wendy dedicated herself to the church. Inspired by a message on tithing, she began contributing faithfully. Shortly afterward, her employer, Food Lion, recognized her dedication by promoting her to a full-time position with benefits. Wendy continues to be a faithful witness and an encouraging presence within the church.

Ed and Debbie’s children have followed their family’s example of faith and service. Their daughter Amanda Morgan and her husband Josh live in Floyd, where they dedicate themselves to supporting foster and adoptive parents and their children through training programs. They have three children through adoption: Teagon, Paige, and K.G. Their second daughter, Ashley, lives in Elliston, Virginia, with her husband Brandon Welcher. They have one son, Grayson. Ashley and Brandon serve at Shawsville Congregational Holiness Church as teachers, continuing the family’s legacy of service.

Bethesda House of Mercy got its name from the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus stopped to heal a crippled man in John 5. The church was born out of a desire to provide a spiritual home for families that Ed and Deb had prayed for and supported in their journey to faith. Through decades of dedication, the couple has witnessed many souls come to Christ, strengthening the mission of Bethesda House of Mercy as a beacon of hope and transformation in the community. Ed wants to remind readers what John wrote in his first epistle: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

You can attend Bethesda’s worship service Sundays at 11 AM and their Bible study Wednesdays at 7 PM