Church Anniversary Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Our 140th Church Anniversary celebration will be held on November 24, 2019. Guest speaker is Bishop Jerry Bishop.
A detailed history of our church, from beginning in the late 1870’s until 1991, including some of the names of our past bishops, presiding elders, pastors, members officers, conferences, special days, and chair persons who have gone on to higher grounds. Copies of this history may be made available to interested parties at their request.
The first AME Church was organized in1718 by Richard Allen in Philadelphia, PA., and was made into an institution in 1816.
The history of this church, Bethel AME, Hope, AR. can be written as a memorial to the many citizens who gave their influences, labor, and finances in the dark days when faith and hope was at a low ebb, and many of whom have long gone to their great rewards.
As for Bethel’s present membership, too much cannot be said, and not enough credit can be given for your unselfish devotion and many years of service.
We have reason to believe that Bethel was organized in the late 1879’s, in the home of Bro. Frank Dees.
First pastor assigned to Bethel by the annual Conference was Rev. Zeke Pennington. First church property purchased for $80.00 on June 13, 1880. 2nd Church Property erected in 1890, 3rd erected in 1933. First Sunday SchoolSuperintendent-Bro. Richard “Shoemaker” Harris.
On May 27, 1988, we had ground breaking for this building, our 4th church building. The Presiding Bishop was Right Rev. Henry A. Belin. Our Pastor was Rev. Thomas Adair (who later became our presiding elder) conducted our 1st worship service in our new church on Sept.4, 1988, andwe celebrated our 108th Church Anniversary on Nov 10 the same year.
Beginning this century, we’ve had 8 pastors beginning with Rev. Enous Montgometry, who was sent to us in Nov. 1999. Our bishop was Rev. Fredrick Talbert, and presiding Elder was Rev. Thomas Adair.
2001-Rev. Arthur Coulter (who hosted our 1st Annual Conference this century)
2005- Rev. Gregory Guinn
2007-Rev. Carroll Anderson ( who hosted our Annual Conference in 2008)
2014-Rev. Thurston B. Lamb
2015 Rev Shirley Inkton Bowers
2016-Rev. Lue Kathryn Montgomery
2019-Our present pastor The Rev. J. Wayne Rogers (who came to us this year and has initiated plans to revive and fulfill the spiritual needs of our community.
Present Officers:
Church School Supt. Bro. Milko Smith, Missionary President-Shirley Davis, Youth Director- Connie Jefferson, Lay President-Shirley Lindsey, Choir President-Darryl Muldrew Our deaconess is Sis. Ammie Johnson
We come this far by faith and God’s blessings. We pray that He will continue to bless Bethel, and that we will continue to focus on Spiritual, church and financial growth.
Our faithful and loyal chairperson of several church past anniversaries and this present one is Shirley Davis.