bethel african methodist episcopal church history 1872 – 2008

Bethel AME Church was organized 1872 by nine God fearing Christian workers: Mrs. Ellen James, Mr. Haywood Bell, Mrs. Vina McNeil, Mrs. Laura Welsh, Mr. Bud Welsh, Mr. Promise Lee, Mr. Bowman Alexander, Mrs. Evelyn Kidd and Carrie Thomas. The founders of this historical church had a desire to provide an additional place of worship in which any person, regardless of color, could enjoy the worship of God with freedom from restriction, to give guidance and aid to people of color and the less fortunate.

The members gathered in a blacksmith shop on the corner of South Carolina and Cedar Streets for prayer meetings, worship services and dues collections. During this period of our history, Brother Bowman Alexander assisted by Mr. Jessie Owens and Mr. H.P. Johnson, provide the leadership for the church. Guided by the spirit of God, this newly found church experienced growth in membership which resulted in the church moving into a rented house on Madison Street in a portion of the city of Mobile known as Gritney.

Due to the continuous growth in membership, the church body decided that it was time to call a minister and to build their first church structure. Two lots were purchased at 210 and 212 South Franklin Street , and the First Bethel was built on this land. The construction was a frame building. It was said to be unique in everyway. There was carpet on the floor, well fitted pulpit, Sunday school and mission department well organized, choir and organ and organist was selected.

During this period from the rural area a Mrs. Estelle Jackson moved here and bought the home next to the third (3rd) housing of Bethel on Scott Street side. She had quite a number of children and her move was made for educational purposes. Her eldest daughter was in the first graduation class for Negroes in Mobile named Hattie Jackson. She was the first Organist of Bethel; also in this class was William Brazier, the son of Rev. Brazier, who became the Superintendent of Sunday School.

In 1888, Rev. Shields was assigned as the first pastor of Bethel AME Church. The church did not have a parsonage, therefore the first pastors lodged with various members of the church. This occurred until the fourth (4th) Pastor, Rev. Fitzpatrick, was installed. A house became vacant at 509 south Lawrence Street and this because Bethel’s first parsonage. When Rev James Walker became the pastor the parsonage was moved to 504 Eslava Street, a few blocks from the church. It was sunder Rev Walker’s administration that a brick 2-story parsonage was built at 212 South Franklin Street.

Rev Moses Moreland constructed the first brick church on the same site where the wood frame church building was located at 210 and 212 South Franklin Street. It was under the leadership of Rev. L.G. Duncan that the addition of indoor toilets, a kitchen, dining area and choir rooms were provided

Also during this period of our history under the leadership of Rev Peter Murphy, the Sunday school and Mission Departments were organized. Due to a lack of hospitals in the Mobile area for people of color, Bethel’s Missionary Department, similar to Mother Bethel in Philadelphia began to attend to the needs of the sick, bathing, providing meals and keeping the patients’ bed sanitized. It was also during this period that an organ was purchased and Ms. Hattie Jackson became the first organist. A pipe organ was also installed and Miss Alberta Brazier became the first organist.

Some of the activities of the church included class meetings on Sunday mornings at 5:00am, revivals and baptizing on Sunday mornings In Mobile Bay at the foot of Elmira Street. Baptisms in Mobile Bay were stopped. It is not known if they were stopped by the church or by the city of Mobile. The Fourth Sunday was known as Local Preacher’s Day. Each local preacher was given several minutes to preach and take up his collection following his sermon. The preacher raising the highest amount of money was considered the most popular preacher for that Sunday. Some of the noted local preachers were Rev. Rank Williams, Rev. Dave Davis, Rev. H.P. Johnson, Rev. W. D. Bell, Rev. I.W. Besteda, Rev. Cosby, Rev. Johnnie Mitchell, Rev. Jesse Owens, Rev. John King and Rev. Robert Brown.

Children’s Day was always observed and programs were presented during holidays such as Easter and Christmas. The Sunday school began what was called Allen Christian Endeavor. It was here that the teenagers of Bethel participated in round table discussions, debates, presentations of essays, singing by choirs and soloist.

The Superintendent of the Sunday school was Professor Brazier, who served many years until his death. All classes were held in the basement of the church in different areas. Sunday School Conventions were held in Daphne, Fairhope and Bay Minette.

A Union Department was organized for the Youth. The youth were taught prayer, singing and girls were taught sewing. They would meet on Fridays at various homes of the membership. If a child was sick, the parents and the children would go and help the sick child’s parents until the child was better. During the early years the youth activities were funded through Penny Fairs and Fish Fries. The fish were usually supplied by the men and boys of Bethel.

Bethel has always been noted for having a good Music Department. The Senior Choir under the direction of Ms. Alberta Brazier and Mr. S. C. Cheatham won many plaques for singing at various competitions throughout the city of Mobile. The musical instruments included a piano and a pipe organ.

During the early period we had a Junior church with Mrs. Annie Mae Hawkins as director and Rev. Henry Calloway serving as minister. Another organized board of the church was the Willing Workers headed by Mrs. Bettie Hendrick and Mrs. Henrietta Williams Cheatham.

The present location of Bethel AME church is 714 Savannah Street. The property on south Franklin Street was purchased by the City of Mobile to build the city auditorium. Under the pastorate of Rev. J.T.L. Dandridge the church was relocated to its present site in 1961 in a “tin top” building. In 1961, when Rev Dandridge was appointed Presiding Elder of the Mobile District, Rev A. E. Williams was appointed pastor of Bethel. Under Rev. Williams’ leadership, a brick church was built at the present site in 1965. At that time Rev J.T.L. Dandridge was Presiding Elder and Rt. Rev. I.H. Bonner served as Bishop. Both had served as pastor of Bethel AME Church.

Rev P.H. Lewis, Sr., was assigned to pastor Bethel in October, 1970. He served as pastor for thirty-five years. Under his leadership, the church experienced tremendous growth in all areas; financial, spiritual, and physically. It was under his leadership that the parsonage on Scott Street, adjacent to the church, was built.

Presently, the musical instruments consist of the restored Extley Pipe Organ, Kawli Grand Piano, a Hammond Organ and a set of drums.

Minister of Music, Mr. Vernell Drayton is assisted by Mr. Charles Willis, Jr., and Mrs. Marion Morris Pianist; Dr. Lucy Nell Parker is Organist and drummer is Rodrick Jackson.

The Bethel Sunday School has grown from the time of Professor Brazier. Superintendents have included Professor Brazier, Mr. James Christian, Mr. Augustus Chambers, and Mr. L.C. Harris (for whom the present Church school is named). Mrs. Mary M. Turner is the current superintendent and she is assisted by Mr. & Mrs. Willie (Glenda) Spradley.

Pastors Who Served
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Rev. Shields (1888*)
Rev. F. B. Mooreland (1890-1893*)
Rev. Moses Mooreland (1900-1902*)
Rev. Fitzpatrick
Rev. J.W. Walker
Rev. A. J. Hunter (1910-1911*)
Rev. P.C. Murphy
Rev F. C. Sims
Rev. Robert Brown
Rev. T. W. Coffee
Rev. Brazier
Rev. B. F. Watson
Rev. J. F. Gillen
Rev. J.W. Sexton
Rev. L.V. Starkey
Rev. T. D. Driver
Rev. T.W. Walls (1923*)
Rev. G. W. Mitchell (1923-1927*)
Rev. J. H. Slade (1927)
Rev. L. G. Duncan (1932-1937*)
Rev. B. F. Mallard (1937*)
Rev. I.H. Bonner (1939-1948) Elected Bishop
Rev. J.T.L. Dandridge (1948-1961) Appointed Presiding Elder
Rev. A.E. Williams (1961-1970)
Rev. P.H. Lewis, Sr. (1970-2005)
Rev Bobby B. Cox, Jr. (November, 2005-Present)

* These dates are not exact. Church records indicate that they served as pastor during the indicated period of time.