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BETHEL AME CHURCH
CHATTANOOGA, TN
CHURCH HISTORY
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1887 in Stanley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. A generous man named Charles Stanley donated the land to Stanley Methodist Episcopal Church, Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, and Mt. Ollie Primitive Baptist Church. The land donated to Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church waslocated at the comer of Walker and Roanoke Avenues. The Reverend Murphy was the first pastor assigned to Bethel. He and a few members prayed and worked untiring, for the church they worshipped in.
In 1890, The Reverend White succeeded the Reverend Murphy and pastored Bethel until 1893. During the Reverend White’s tenure, the membership increased, and the congregation continued in hope, working and praying in faith, of finding a place to worship God under their own "Vine and Fig Tree."
The Reverend J. J. Jenkins succeeded The Reverend White in 1893, pastored Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church until 1900. Under his leadership the membership continued increasing and a building was being erected on the corner of Walker and Roanoke Avenue and Bethel was admitted as a connectional church at the 1900 East Tennessee Annual Conference. From 1900 to 1905, The Reverend Wyden was the pastor of Bethel. During his pastorate, the church continues to grow spiritually, and increase in membership. When the congregation finally realized that Reverend Wyden had a dream and a vision for the church, a new sanctuary was completed. The officers at that time were: Stewards: C. B. Fearn; S. McClendon; M. Garfield; J. Edwards; B. Blassengale; M. DeBobes; B. J. Robinson; Ed. Burrell; S. Allunes; Mattie Fearn andC. Alsup. Trustees: C. Wooley; A. C. Johnson; L. A. Robinson; N. Stoners; J. mason; E. G. Dyson; A. Weems; H. Robinson;C. Williams; Bulah Wilson and A. J. Billinsly. The Reverend J.H. Turner replaced The Reverend Wyden in 1905 lasted through 1912. During his tenure the congregation continues growing and all departments came alive. The Reverend H. D. Hawkinspastured Bethel from 1912-1916, and The Reverend Gilmore succeeded him in 1916-1918. TheReverend Bright followed The Reverend Gilmore and pastured Bethel for one year (1918-1919). The Reverend J. M. Brown came to Bethel in 1919 and stayed until 1922.
He increased interest in activities and various departments came alive. The Reverend J. T. Brown follows The Reverend J. M. Brown in 1922-1923, under his leadership a personage was purchased but his itinerant lasted only one year. The Reverend T.Y. Horton succeeded The Reverend J. T. Brown in 1923 and served until 1926. The Reverend Caldwell pastored Bethel from 1926-1927. He was the first minister to marry in the parsonage. In 1927, The Reverend J. M. Brown came to Bethel for the second time and stayed until 1929. Under his pastorate, the church was remodeled and the membership continued to increase with activities in all departments. The Reverend Caswell served as pastor from 1929 1930. The Reverend Hayes served as pastor from 1930-1931. TheReverend Hayes was succeeded by The Reverend P. D. Kingings, who served from 1931-1935. He was a dedicated minister and worked untiringly with the young people. The Reverend R. J. Gordon served at Bethel from 1935-1944, the church continued in growth and leadership in the community. The Reverend Gordon was the first minister to serve Bethel for a number of years. The Reverend Peter G. Crawford pastored Bethel from 1944-1946. Under the Reverend Crawford, the membership became aware of the need for a new sanctuary, therefore, Building Fund was started.
The Reverend W. L. Bell pastored Bethel from 1946-1948. Under his leadership, money was added to the Building Fund and plans were carried on building a new church. The Reverend Bell was succeeded by the Reverend Robert H. Reid, Sr. He pastored Bethel from 1949- 1951. He was a dynamic minister, and he also increased the membership and kept all departments active. From 1951-1955, the Reverend T. Eugene West was the Pastor. During his ministry, the ground was broken for a new sanctuary. He also organized a new club known as the Ladies Progressive Guild. Finances were again added to the Building Fund. The Reverend George H. Matthews was appointed to Bethel in 1955 and stayed until 1959. The sanctuary had begun, and everyone was filled with great expectation. The church continued to grow and make progress. The Reverend Edward W. Jackson served as minister from 1960-1963. He increased the membership, and all departments were very active.
The church Bond Program was introduced, and the church was completed; also, a new parsonage was purchased. History was made in October 1962 when Bethel entertained the East Tennessee Annual Conference. The Reverend L. C. Adkins served Bethel from 1967-1981. The Bond Program was completed ahead of schedule and with the help of the Lord and untiring efforts of the officers and members. The mortgage was burned on the church and the parsonage; also, several lots were paved for adequate parking. The Reverend James K. Brown was appointed to Bethel in January 1981 and served until 1987. The Reverend Brown’s ministry emphasized Evangelism, Outreach and Social Welfare. Members were added. He organized the Council on Leisure Education, Young Adult Club and the Building Fund Booster’s Club. In August of 1982, he built the new fellowship Hall.
The Reverend Edward W. Jackson was appointed to Bethel in 1987 for the second time. He was the first minister to marry in the new sanctuary. He married the former Carolyn Vivian Nance who is still an active member of Bethel. He organized Stewardess Board Number Two and the Bell Choir. The Bell Choir was the only Black Bell Choir in the city of Chattanooga and served at the 1996 General Conference. He was dedicated to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and promoted peace and harmony among the officers and members of the church. The officers that served at that time (August 1991) were Stewards: Julius B. Cargle, Sr., Vice Chairman; Eddie Alexander; Robert Collins; James Lindsey; William Sanderfur, Jr.; Forrest Smith; Frank Pope; Velva Adair; Pauletta Hands; Bettye Johnson; Carrie McDonald; James Ghiden; Berlean Henderson; Gloria Beverly and Edith Peak. Trustees: Willie A. Haslerig, Vice Chairman; Thomas Phipps; Warren Logan, Sr.; Joe Arnold; Gale Peak; Charles Nelson; C. C. Henderson, III; James Brown; Sheila Harris; Florence Dungeon; Agnes Lauderdale; Fannie Wright and Gwendolyn Thompson. Outstanding Pastors has been assigned to Bethel for the last
one hundred twenty-four (124) years. Under their leadership, new structures were built, a parsonage was built, and a fellowship hall was erected. Sunday school classes increased for a children church where Junior Stewards and Trustees have developed outreach ministries into Friendship Nursing Home.
Other pastors were: The Reverends Lawrence O. Twiggs aka Obadiah Kenneth Twiggs, Freeman Marco Cooper, Terence Lenard Mayes, Sr., William Wesley Easily and Rev. Alan J. Holman, Sr. was appointed pastor of Bethel in 2009 – Present.Under his leadership the membership increased. Rev. Holman is a dedicated pastor, he is always available when needed. While serving Bethel he has established the Bethel CDC and arranged a workshop on the workings of a Community Development Corporation. He was instrumental in creating the dance group “God’s Angel Ministry of Performing Arts.” He is the former president of the Clergy Koinonia (2010-2012) and member of the Unity Group. In 2016 Bethel hosted East Tennessee Annual Conference. Under Rev. Holman leadership in 2022 Bethel Church Sanctuary was Renovated with new windows, new carpet, new media equipment, new TV monitors, new choir chairs and renovation of the Sanctuary bathrooms. Bethel also hosted East Tennessee Annual Conference for the second time in September, 2022 after previously hosting in 2016. He shares his ministry with people in the community, shopping area, restaurants and his congregation. Bethel AME Church is proud of his history and we thank God for bringing us 137 Years. We pray that God will continue to let us move forward under the capable and Christian leadership of Pastor A. J. Holman, Sr.
