OUR MISSION
To minister to the spiritual, social, and physical needs of God’s people as
prescribed by the teaching and preaching of Jesus Christ.
“BETHEL THE HOUSE OF GOD, WHERE MIRACLES AND TESTIMONIES FLOW, PRAYER IS THE KEY AND FAITH UNLOCKS THE DOOR!”
OUR HISTORY
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the early spring or late winter of 1894 under the leadership of Reverend H.P. Burton. The church was located at 851 Brunswick Place in what was known as “China Town’ at that time. The church remained on Brunswick Place for 47 years. A copy of the original recorded deed shows the name as “Bethel Meth Congregation” and “Bethel Meth Epis Ch Trs of Methodist Epis Ch Mission.” The property consisted of church and a vacant lot next to it. The names of the Trustees as shown on the deed as well as could be determined were: W.A. Beasley and wife, Milliceretta R. Beasley; George Daniels, James Talley, Mollie Smith, Bessie Mae Duncan, Marie Reynolds, E.A. Johnson, Nathaniel Baruggs and Peter Barret.
The church was listed in the Memphis City Directory as early as 1896 as Bethel Mission, A.M.E. and is also listed in the Tennessee Historical Society Directory that documents the year of inception of Bethel. The final mortgage payment of $1.00 was paid on August 18, 1927, to Charles J. Haase, and Irvin P. Benadorf, and the deed was recorded on that same day. The deed shows the name of the church at that time as “Beth El Beth Congregation, a corporation.”
The congregation was looking for a larger church; therefore, they moved the church from Brunswick to Wicks Avenue. In 1941, the church moved to 626 Wicks Avenue under the leadership of Reverend H. R. Reynolds as documented in The Tennessee Historical Society Directory. A record ownership was secured from the Shelby County Archives reveals that the list of owners as James T. Franklin, W.A. Beasley, and Bethel Church Trustees. The deed was filed on March 7, 1941. The deed shows the property was exempt from county taxes. A major renovation as done in 1963 and the Church remained a viable force in the community.
In 1977, the Church moved to 2011 Alcy Road, its present location under the leadership of Reverend Charles Ezekiel Ware. As with any Church, the leadership of the Pastor and Officers is always very significant, and Bethel has been blessed to have leaders of distinction throughout its history. The first recorded Pastor was Reverend W. P. Burton who organized the Church. The Tennessee Historical Society Director of 1941 lists the Pastor as Reverend Herbert R. Reynolds and the Presiding Elder was Reverend Clifford C. Townsend. Other Pastors who served were the Reverends: H. W. Henning, John Hunter, I. T. Jefferson, W. E. Pruitt, E. R. Keyes, Louis Williams, Robert L. McRae, Otis T. Hooks, James L. Gleese (who later became a Presiding Elder), W. L. Young, W. W. Wortham, C. E. Ware. Pastor Reverend Charles Ezekiel Ware served for twenty-eight years. He had been recognized from the local to the national levels in the areas of community development and outreach. He built a daycare center and formed a corporation known as Beth-Reach that focused on housing facilities for the elderly. Reverend Ware was named Pastor Emeritus after retiring in 2004.
The Reverend Dr. Almella Yvonne Starks-Umoja, is the daughter of Reverend Henry Logan Starks, the most memorable Pastor to serve as Pastor of St. James A.M.E. in Memphis. He was a renowned seminary teacher and civil rights leader. A Humanitarian Award is named in his honor at the Memphis Theological Seminary. Dr. Starks-Umoja served as pastor for one year.
The Right Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the 117th elected and consecrated Bishop of the A.M.E. Church appointed the Reverend Doctor Barbara Sargent Green to Bethel A.M.E. Church October 29, 2005. Prior to accepting the Pastorate at Bethel, she Pastored White’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church where she was the first female Pastor of that congregation. Pastor Green also Pastored Palestine African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Pastor Green has a passion for Women in Ministry especially married sisters. Doctor Green has implemented numerous ministries such as Standing In The Gap Intercessory Prayer Ministry, She has a burden to pray for the Body of Christ (and seen the break through because of prayer), Bethel Computer Classroom Learning Center, God’s Precious Gifts 2 Liturgical Dance Ministry for children, R.E.G.O.I.C.E. Liturgical Dance Ministry, Youth/Young Adult Bible Study, Leadership Summit, and Puppets for Christ Ministry and Christ Connection Newsletter. Doctor Green had the foresight to have the church establish a website in 2019 and currently has several online methods in which individuals can sow into the ministry. The church has undergone major renovations under the leadership of Pastor Green. The Pastor’s study and restroom, along with the restrooms in the fellowship hall occurred in 2012. Ceramic tile in the fellowship and kitchen in 2016. In 2021 and 2022, the following took place: a new architectural roof; new ceiling in the fellowship hall with recessed lights, new security backdoor, plantation blinds, and a mobile island, and cabinet for additional storage in the kitchen. The stewardess room and hall leading to fellowship hall were also remodeled.
Doctor Green heeded the direction of the Holy Spirit in 2013 as she was directed to have replacement insurance for the church. Therefore, when the sanctuary was recarpeted, and walls painted due to the flooding of the sanctuary, it was done because of the insurance coverage. God is a faithful God and God has allowed all work performed in the church to be done without obtaining a loan or refinancing. Additionally, the rental facility at 1350 previously known as Bethel’s Daycare was remodeled in 2018 with additional remodeling taking place in 2019 prior to a tenant signing a 5-year agreement.
Furthermore, the work at the church and the renovation occurred while not sacrificing the church’s commitment in 2020 and is ongoing so that we give back in community outreach a tithe of all funds received in the church. The church has literally taken the scripture in Malachi 3:10 as truth and has given a tithe of everything brought into the storehouse. God has been faithful and true to God’s word; God has rebuked the devourer for our sakes as God promised in Malachi 3:11.
Pastor Green arrived at the church in 2005, with tremendous debt. However, by the grace of God, prayer, and the administrative skills of Doctor Green, the church is moving toward being debt free.