BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Historical Facts
The early history of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church is embedded in the history of the world-wide AME Church. Founded in 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the AME Church was an ecumenical group of ministers, abolitionists and missionaries. Rev. Richard Allen, a free African American, living and working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was the founder of the AME Church. Although one of the first African Americans ordained by the Methodist Church as a minister, Rev. Allen was a man of courage and indestructible passionate faith. Equipped with these two spiritual weapons, he could not be beaten. When he was denied the freedom to kneel at the altar for prayer in Saint George’s Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1787, Rev. Allen and others politely walked out and later founded the AME Church.
In April 1876, representatives of all African societies met in Philadelphia and formed a church organization under the title of “African Methodist Episcopal Church”. They adopted the policy and doctrine of the Methodist Church. Richard Allen was elected the first Bishop. The AME Church established its motto of “God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, Man Our Brother,” set its sail upon the sea of time and began its expansion and influence.
Records show that a Rev. Lynch and Rev. Hall were the first ministers to come to Georgia. They were sent from the African Methodist Episcopal Conference in Charleston, South Carolina. As they traveled and preached throughout the state, Rev. Lynch remained in Augusta to make surveys of churches. He founded the Protestant congregation of approximately two hundred persons. They worshipped in a barn-like structure on the corner of Campbell and D’Antignac Streets, pastored by a Reverend Samuel Drayton. On June 2, 2006 an interview was conducted with Mrs. Emma Myers Seay, now deceased, who was the Historian of Bethel AME Church. She stated during this interview that she clearly recalled her grandmother, Mrs. Emma McCoy Hill, being a member of the initial 200 members meeting in the barn like structure.
This church strives today as a testimony to the work of Rev. Lynch. In 1865 Rev. Lynch traveled inland along the Savannah River to Augusta, Georgia and met Rev. Samuel Drayton. At this time Rev. Drayton was the first ordained Elder in the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1865, Rev. Samuel Drayton was regarded as one of the best preachers, black or white, in Augusta, Georgia. He preached so eloquently that whites as well as blacks attended his services.
The cornerstone on the sanctuary showed that the building was erected in 1888 during the pastorate of Reverend A. W. Lowe. For more than a century, the Bethel AME Church has served as a spiritual fountain for the molding of character and the development of contributing citizens in the community and abroad. The programs of service benefit the members and the community. Bethel AME Church is the oldest African Methodist Episcopal Church in Augusta, Georgia. After the Civil War, it was a common practice for former slave owners to donate land to African Americans for the purpose of building segregated churches. These conditional land grant churches populate the Southern United States today. However; Bethel AME Church in Augusta, Georgia is noted as one of the first African American Churches established on land which was purchased by African Americans for their religious and educational use and is continuously owned by them today. This parcel of land was purchased by the Trustees for the congregation for the amount of $222.51.
Bethel AME Church in Augusta, Georgia gave rise to a Bishop of the AME Church. Bishop Richard Robert Wright, Jr. was converted and joined Bethel AME in 1892. As a child, Bishop Wright attended Haines Institute, founded by Ms. Lucy Craft Laney in Augusta, Georgia. He later served as a Sunday School Superintendent, Class Leader and Steward.
The church’s mission services includes assisting nursing homes, feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, giving hope to the derelicts, nursing those in distress, strengthening the prayer of life and helping the hopeless to find themselves. In 1956, Bethel AME Church received a citation for its service to the Augusta community during the bicentennial celebration of our nation. Bethel AME Church was also presented an award in appreciation for its overall civic interest and community service, which contributed to the quality of life for citizens of Augusta. This award was presented by the Augusta Black History Committee, Mr. J. Phillip Waring, Founder and Chairman.
BETHEL SERVED AS PROMOTER AND CARETAKER OF CHURCH EXTENSION
Under the leadership of Dr. A. J. Harris and Rev. Curtis Henri Boddy, the officers and members sought to extend the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Augusta community. The church purchased a former Baptist church, which was no longer in use. This property contained a church building, an educational center and a house on Hazel Street. The church was accepted by the Augusta Georgia Conference, to be supervised by Bethel’s pastor and officers. The church was named New Bethel. This church was pastored by Reverends Maner Bryant, Alfred A. Wells, Sr., Rev. Pertilla, and Rev. Samuel Alexander. Following a fire, vandalism and the lack of growth, it became necessary to discontinue its activities. The educational building was used by the Senior Citizen’s Group and Parenthood Planning Council for a few years.
During the period of Rev. A. James Harris tenure as Presiding Elder, Hickman Tabernacle AME Church was purchased and begun with assistance from Bethel’s officers and finance. Bishop E.L. Hickman was presiding at this time and gave substantial financial assistance to the church. Rev. C. H. Boddy gave full support to this endeavor and Bethel’s members did likewise. It is now a Mission Church providing healthy ministries to its community.
In 1974, Rev. C. E. Wells, Sr., officers and members saw the need for a more comfortable parsonage. A home was purchased at 401 Aumond Road. It served as a home for the pastors of Bethel for years.
The Christian Education Program in the early years was implemented mainly through the Sunday School and its activities. Early history shows the main training was done by the Allen Christian Endeavor League. This program ceased to be a part of the training in the Sixth District. Other youth groups accepted this responsibility. Young People have been sent each year to Sunday School Conventions, State Congress and Youth Meetings.
Past Christian Education Directors: Ruth Bacone Ryce (Deceased), Emma Meyers Seay (1948-1973, Deceased), Eloise Kay Curtis (1973-1995). Since then others serving were Reva Curry, Dorothy Wright, Annie Searles followed by Alizia Norris who serves presently.
Sunday School is as old as the church. Since Sunday school does not celebrate its anniversary anymore, we pause to name some of the devoted and longtime servants of this body. Superintendents who have served are Brothers Autipea, W. Wannmaker, William Murray, J. C. Eichelberger, James Anderson, W.A. Wimberly, T.J. Rhyans, Robert Allen, G.C. Ramey, I.S. Beasley, Roy Evans, H.G. Gaulden, Alfred Wells, Frank H. Chiles, J.G. Zeigler, Bennie J. Thompkins, Percy Williams, Theus R. Perry, Sisters Eliza Ferguson, and Georgia B. Curtis. Each of these is deceased. Bro. Robert Mills served and is yet among us. Bro. George E. Mills, Sr. is presently serving.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND PLACES ON SITE
PASTORS ASSIGNMENTS AND SERVICE TENURE
Reverends Samuel Drayton, P. Strickland, P. Cruse, V. Purdy, I. Wood, P. Stokes, P. McClain, J.W. Randolph, L. H. Smith, A.M. Jordan, R. C. Smith, J.B. Epton, E.P. Holmes, A.R. Cooper, J.A. Lindsay, William Gaines, C.H. Williams, G. Flagg, N.B. McCombs, J. McCledon, H. H. Long and J.W. Sanford. Each of these is deceased.
HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRESS
Rev. H. H. Long: 1913-1921
Rev. R. H. Ward: 1926-1927
Rev. A. L. Sampson: 1927-1928
Rev. M. A. Fountain: 1928-1930
Rev. W. J. Jones: 1930-1931
Rev. J. H. Hall: 1931-1933
Rev. G. B. Jackson: 1933
Rev. D. S. Sanders: 1933-1936
Rev. J.F. Rogers: 1936-1939
Rev. A.R. Cooper: 1939-1944
Rev. Curtis Henri Boddy: 1964-1971
Rev. Charles E. Wells: 1974-1977
Rev. Frank C. Maddox: 1977-1979
Rev. Preston Warren Williams: 1979-1981
Rev. Eugene Adams, Jr.: 1981-1988
Rev. Charles W. Pitts: 1988-1992
Rev. L.W. Hudson, Sr.: 1992-2004
Rev. Mark S. Pierson: 2004-2016
Reverend Hall was appointed pastor on June 10, 2016 and he serves faithfully with vigor and with a renewed vitality. He is the lead pastor and the Dean of the Board of Examiners of the Augusta Georgia Annual Conference. Under his seven month leadership, he has begun a community wide outreach that has increased the presence of Bethel and increased the worship attendance. Reverend Hall has propelled the music department to higher heights by hiring a Minister of Music and a rhythm section that accompanies all choirs and formed a one hundred and twenty member Mass Choir. In addition, the Children’s Church has been revived with attendance upward of twenty-five youth and seventeen adults.
Reverend Hall led a campaign to purchase a brand new 14-passenger bus without creating any indebtedness to the church. The bus was delivered (paid in full) the third week in December. He has given Bethel a sense of regeneration with the slogan “The Downtown Church with The Uptown Spirit!”
Be sure that you begin something special in somebody’s life today!
History provided by
Sis. Emma Seay, Former Church Historian
Updates provided by Sis. Josephine Taylor
and the Historical Committee Members
In April 1876, representatives of all African societies met in Philadelphia and formed a church organization under the title of “African Methodist Episcopal Church”. They adopted the policy and doctrine of the Methodist Church. Richard Allen was elected the first Bishop. The AME Church established its motto of “God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, Man Our Brother,” set its sail upon the sea of time and began its expansion and influence.
Records show that a Rev. Lynch and Rev. Hall were the first ministers to come to Georgia. They were sent from the African Methodist Episcopal Conference in Charleston, South Carolina. As they traveled and preached throughout the state, Rev. Lynch remained in Augusta to make surveys of churches. He founded the Protestant congregation of approximately two hundred persons. They worshipped in a barn-like structure on the corner of Campbell and D’Antignac Streets, pastored by a Reverend Samuel Drayton. On June 2, 2006 an interview was conducted with Mrs. Emma Myers Seay, now deceased, who was the Historian of Bethel AME Church. She stated during this interview that she clearly recalled her grandmother, Mrs. Emma McCoy Hill, being a member of the initial 200 members meeting in the barn like structure.
This church strives today as a testimony to the work of Rev. Lynch. In 1865 Rev. Lynch traveled inland along the Savannah River to Augusta, Georgia and met Rev. Samuel Drayton. At this time Rev. Drayton was the first ordained Elder in the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1865, Rev. Samuel Drayton was regarded as one of the best preachers, black or white, in Augusta, Georgia. He preached so eloquently that whites as well as blacks attended his services.
The cornerstone on the sanctuary showed that the building was erected in 1888 during the pastorate of Reverend A. W. Lowe. For more than a century, the Bethel AME Church has served as a spiritual fountain for the molding of character and the development of contributing citizens in the community and abroad. The programs of service benefit the members and the community. Bethel AME Church is the oldest African Methodist Episcopal Church in Augusta, Georgia. After the Civil War, it was a common practice for former slave owners to donate land to African Americans for the purpose of building segregated churches. These conditional land grant churches populate the Southern United States today. However; Bethel AME Church in Augusta, Georgia is noted as one of the first African American Churches established on land which was purchased by African Americans for their religious and educational use and is continuously owned by them today. This parcel of land was purchased by the Trustees for the congregation for the amount of $222.51.
Bethel AME Church in Augusta, Georgia gave rise to a Bishop of the AME Church. Bishop Richard Robert Wright, Jr. was converted and joined Bethel AME in 1892. As a child, Bishop Wright attended Haines Institute, founded by Ms. Lucy Craft Laney in Augusta, Georgia. He later served as a Sunday School Superintendent, Class Leader and Steward.
The church’s mission services includes assisting nursing homes, feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, giving hope to the derelicts, nursing those in distress, strengthening the prayer of life and helping the hopeless to find themselves. In 1956, Bethel AME Church received a citation for its service to the Augusta community during the bicentennial celebration of our nation. Bethel AME Church was also presented an award in appreciation for its overall civic interest and community service, which contributed to the quality of life for citizens of Augusta. This award was presented by the Augusta Black History Committee, Mr. J. Phillip Waring, Founder and Chairman.
BETHEL SERVED AS PROMOTER AND CARETAKER OF CHURCH EXTENSION
Under the leadership of Dr. A. J. Harris and Rev. Curtis Henri Boddy, the officers and members sought to extend the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Augusta community. The church purchased a former Baptist church, which was no longer in use. This property contained a church building, an educational center and a house on Hazel Street. The church was accepted by the Augusta Georgia Conference, to be supervised by Bethel’s pastor and officers. The church was named New Bethel. This church was pastored by Reverends Maner Bryant, Alfred A. Wells, Sr., Rev. Pertilla, and Rev. Samuel Alexander. Following a fire, vandalism and the lack of growth, it became necessary to discontinue its activities. The educational building was used by the Senior Citizen’s Group and Parenthood Planning Council for a few years.
During the period of Rev. A. James Harris tenure as Presiding Elder, Hickman Tabernacle AME Church was purchased and begun with assistance from Bethel’s officers and finance. Bishop E.L. Hickman was presiding at this time and gave substantial financial assistance to the church. Rev. C. H. Boddy gave full support to this endeavor and Bethel’s members did likewise. It is now a Mission Church providing healthy ministries to its community.
In 1974, Rev. C. E. Wells, Sr., officers and members saw the need for a more comfortable parsonage. A home was purchased at 401 Aumond Road. It served as a home for the pastors of Bethel for years.
The Christian Education Program in the early years was implemented mainly through the Sunday School and its activities. Early history shows the main training was done by the Allen Christian Endeavor League. This program ceased to be a part of the training in the Sixth District. Other youth groups accepted this responsibility. Young People have been sent each year to Sunday School Conventions, State Congress and Youth Meetings.
Past Christian Education Directors: Ruth Bacone Ryce (Deceased), Emma Meyers Seay (1948-1973, Deceased), Eloise Kay Curtis (1973-1995). Since then others serving were Reva Curry, Dorothy Wright, Annie Searles followed by Alizia Norris who serves presently.
Sunday School is as old as the church. Since Sunday school does not celebrate its anniversary anymore, we pause to name some of the devoted and longtime servants of this body. Superintendents who have served are Brothers Autipea, W. Wannmaker, William Murray, J. C. Eichelberger, James Anderson, W.A. Wimberly, T.J. Rhyans, Robert Allen, G.C. Ramey, I.S. Beasley, Roy Evans, H.G. Gaulden, Alfred Wells, Frank H. Chiles, J.G. Zeigler, Bennie J. Thompkins, Percy Williams, Theus R. Perry, Sisters Eliza Ferguson, and Georgia B. Curtis. Each of these is deceased. Bro. Robert Mills served and is yet among us. Bro. George E. Mills, Sr. is presently serving.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND PLACES ON SITE
- · The Bible and Bible Study
- · The Lay Library on 1st Floor
- · The Missionary Year Book
- · The Missionary Magazine
- · The Sunday School Literature
PASTORS ASSIGNMENTS AND SERVICE TENURE
Reverends Samuel Drayton, P. Strickland, P. Cruse, V. Purdy, I. Wood, P. Stokes, P. McClain, J.W. Randolph, L. H. Smith, A.M. Jordan, R. C. Smith, J.B. Epton, E.P. Holmes, A.R. Cooper, J.A. Lindsay, William Gaines, C.H. Williams, G. Flagg, N.B. McCombs, J. McCledon, H. H. Long and J.W. Sanford. Each of these is deceased.
HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRESS
Rev. H. H. Long: 1913-1921
- The Senior Usher Board organized and Bro. Willie Peak served as the President. The Willing Workers Board organized with Sis. Malasie Stephens serving as President
- Rev. (Dr.) Walter B. L. Clark: 1921-1926
- Raised over $7294.00 for renovations
- Cemented the basement floor
- Built a balcony in the main auditorium
- Church building had stucco added to it
- Painted the wood areas of the church and parsonage
- Senior Choir improved (The Anthem Choir with Coronet accompanist Bro. Perry)
- Emphasis was placed on revivals and spiritual revival of members
Rev. R. H. Ward: 1926-1927
Rev. A. L. Sampson: 1927-1928
- Mode of transportation: Horse and Buggy
Rev. M. A. Fountain: 1928-1930
Rev. W. J. Jones: 1930-1931
Rev. J. H. Hall: 1931-1933
Rev. G. B. Jackson: 1933
- Tenure ended by a tragic automobile accident in South Georgia
Rev. D. S. Sanders: 1933-1936
- Paid a mortgage. One of his sons was born in the parsonage
Rev. J.F. Rogers: 1936-1939
- Carried first youth delegates (Hilda Rogers and Emma E. Meyers) to State Congress, St. James in Columbus, Georgia
Rev. A.R. Cooper: 1939-1944
- Mission of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing for the pastors and family always provided within the ability of members
- Assessments raised; activities for growth and development of youth and adults prevailed
- Organizations provided the organ, pianos, carpet, pulpit furniture, kitchen utensils and stove among other things
- Made several new renovations to church
- The DEPRESSION caused struggle and hard times but the church held on to God’s unchanging hand
- · Many members returned to the church
- · Spring and Fall Revivals held
- · Choir #2 organized with Bro. W. P. Stephens serving as the first president
- · Daily Vacation Bible School organized. Playground equipment purchased
- · Hammond organ purchased. Chimes donated by Rev. & Mrs. Johnson. The chimes were played each day at 12noon from the church tower
- · First church bulletins were printed by Sis. Lillian Dent
- · Junior Choir reactivated
- · Grimes property purchased for parking lot at 908 D’Antignac
- · Central Finance System organized
- · Women’s and Men’s Day Programs initiated
- · Members became active and recognized on Episcopal level
- · Large numbers of youth were sent to State and Connectional Conferences
- · The A. J. Harris Educational Building erected in 1959 Bishop W. R. Wilkes dedicated the building
- · Parsonage and church renovated
- · Rev. A. A. Wells called to preach
- · Rev. Harris was appointed to the Presiding Eldership and Augusta District. He made Augusta, Georgia his home and is buried here along with his wife, Mrs. Georgia L. Harris in Cedar Grove Cemetery
Rev. Curtis Henri Boddy: 1964-1971
- · Air conditioned church and parsonage
- · The Allen organ purchased
- · Hazel Street property purchased
- · Under the direction of Rev. Boddy and officers of Bethel AME Church New Bethel was pastored by these ministers: Rev. A. A. Wells, W. Pertilla, Samuel Alexander and Manor Bryant. There was a membership of approximately thirty five before it was without leadership. The members found other church homes.
- · Organized the J.W. Sanford Progressive Club which had its purpose of teaching the Arts and Crafts to all who availed themselves of the opportunity.
- · The first church van was purchased
Rev. Charles E. Wells: 1974-1977
- · Purchased parsonage at 401 Aumond Road
- · Renovated original parsonage for office space
- · Organized Stewardess Boards four and five. These boards consisted of younger women for training and participation. Sis. Belle S. Clark served as president of Board number four and Sis Louise Lewis served as President of Board number five
- · Organized the C. E. Wells Gospel Choir with Bro. Albert L. Smith serving as the first President
- · Organized Board of Deaconesses (Consecrated by Bishop Hildebrand)
- · Organized the Methodist Alliance which functioned mainly during the Lenten Season with shared services among other denominations: the CME, AMEZ and United Methodist
- · Assisted the Missionary Society with its outreach program. Organized having patients brought to the church for Thanksgiving dinner rather than having the dinners delivered
- · Opened up the Sanctuary for additional space.
- · Most of the Hazel Street property destroyed by fire during this administration
- · Rev. Wells aspired to become a Bishop
- · Organized the Christian Education Department for training
Rev. Frank C. Maddox: 1977-1979
- · Organized the first Acolytes Program with youth
- · Organized the Choraliers Club with the purpose to enhance the Art Culture using talents
- · Installed Self Service Communion Altar Set to quicken the serving time
- · Founder of Maddox-Sellers Counseling Service
Rev. Preston Warren Williams: 1979-1981
- · Stabilized church building
- · Other renovations accomplished
- · Added to church treasury by adding $1000 dollar assessments to each Board organization’s/Anniversaries
Rev. Eugene Adams, Jr.: 1981-1988
- · Burned two mortgages
- · Purchased second church van
- · Achieved the site for the Feed-A-Kid Program
- · Provided for AKA’s Reading Skills Program (The Beginning)
- · Young Adult Usher Board organized; Bro. Albert L. Smith served as the first President
- · Combined Stewardess Boards Two and Three with Sis. Helen Hobbs serving as the President
- · Renamed Choir Number One to The Sanctuary Choir and Choir Number Two to the Cathedral Choir
- · Hosted the Episcopal Founder’s Celebration with the first parade. Sis. Emma Gresham, Episcopal YPD Director and Bishop Frederick Talbot presiding Prelate
Rev. Charles W. Pitts: 1988-1992
- · Introduced Maundy Thursday Service for the Methodist Churches of the Augusta Area
- · Burned two mortgages with Bishops Frederick H. Talbot and John H. Adams presiding
- · Assisted choirs in presenting Special Musical Programs written by the World Council of Churches
- · Presented Piano Recitals at many area churches
Rev. L.W. Hudson, Sr.: 1992-2004
- · Emphasis on feeding the hungry of the community wide organized
- · Television/VCR purchased to provide handicap and overflow access.
- · Established weekly Bible Study on Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm
- · The Courtesy Guild organized with Sis. Sandra N. Bailey serving as the first President
- · The Health Guild organized with Sis. Caroline P. Lee as the first President
- · Purchased the property at 623 Crawford Avenue and relocated the 9th and D’Antignac congregation of Bethel AME Church to the newly purchased church
- · Church dedication held on Sunday, June 26, 1994 with Bishop Donald George Kenneth Ming presiding
- · The Voices of Bethel Choir organized on November 12, 1990 with Sis. LaTrelle Avery Prator serving as the first Pianist/Director
- · The Pastor’s Guild organized with Sis. Evelyn Walker serving as the first President
- · The Happy Bunch Fun Club organized for those persons retired and/or over 50 years of age. Sis. Sylvester Jones served as the first President
- · The third church van purchased
- · The L. W. Hudson Male Usher Board organized with Bro. Thomas Pinckney serving as the first President
- · The church library named in memory of Sis Annette McFadden; the Lay Organization sponsored this effort with Sis. E. K. Curtis serving as the president
- · A Youth Work Study Program was organized for teen boys with Bro. George E. Mills, Sr. as the first advisor
- · Started Sanctified Steppers for the youth (Ages 4 & up) with Sis. Tacardra Rountree, S.is. Alizia Norris and Bro. George E. Mills, Sr. as advisors
- · A Youth Summer Camp organized under the direction of Bro. Augustus C. Thurmond and Bro. Willie Gainous, Jr. serving as directors. This program offered tutoring in Math, Reading, English and Testing Skills
- · Provided Church in Training Retreats at Savannah Lakes, McCormick, South Carolina
- · Published the third newsletter “The Cross”, April 6, 1997
- · Purchased residences at 616 Crawford Avenue, Watkins Street and 1817 Walker Street
- · The Barbara C. Hudson Female Usher Board was organized
- · The Hour of Power Wednesdays at noon began
- · The Daughters of Sarah Youth Club organized
- · Organized Children’s Church with Sis. Cheryl Cunningham serving as the lead.
- · Organized the first Community Octoberfest
- · Sold parsonage at 401 Aumond Road
- · Hosted two Founder’s Day Celebrations
- · Pictures of previous pastors placed in archive room. Effort spearheaded by historian, Sis. Emma Seay
- · Building renovations: new roof, purchased new air conditioning units, flowers planted, etc
- · The “Tree of Life” Project began to liquidate
- · Vision of the whole life center, to be able for expanded services for members and community, explored and/set in motion
- · Merged choirs according to age.
- · The 623 Crawford Avenue mortgage burned within 7 years
- · Revitalized the H.G. Dawson Youth Choir
- · Organized a praise team that became the Spirit of Praise
- · Purchased a Hammond organ
Rev. Mark S. Pierson: 2004-2016
- · Organized the Class Leaders’ Council
- · Initiated an 8:00 a.m. Worship Service
- · Has become a community servant of Augusta
- · Teaches the power of tithing
- · Greeters Ministry started
- · Renovated administrative offices
- · Purchased and installed a new state-of-the-art audio visual system
- · Hosted 101st Session of the Augusta Georgia Annual Conference for the fifth year
- · Hosted the Augusta Conference Sixth District Leadership
- · Added Wireless Networking
- · Made Alpha Center and basement handicap accessible by installing an elevator
- · Held Class Leaders Training and Officers Retreat
- · Opened Food and Clothing Bank with Sis. Thomasina Stewart as spearhead.
- · Held Tent Revivals and Youth Revivals
- · Started Christian Education Tidbits
- · Held Community Back-to-School Supply Giveaway for John Milledge Elementary School
- · Secured funding for building, property, acquisition, expansion
- · Started TV broadcast ministry
- · Secured windows from Bethel’s James Brown Boulevard building and installed them in Alpha Center
- · Secured cornerstone from Bethel’s James Brown Boulevard building
- · Started Liturgical Dancers ministry
- The Mark S. Pierson Chorale was organized for the 7:45 a.m. morning worship
- · Painted and replaced the roof on the Alpha Center
- · Paved back parking lot and installed new lighting
- · Purchased new church van
- · Purchased doors to secure the present church building
- · Vacated tenants of James Brown Boulevard property to assess structure
- · Supported Voters’ Registration/Education
- · Organized Children’s Church
- · Organized Commission on Membership and Evangelism
- · Held Community-Wide Celebrations
- · On December 17, 2013 Bethel AME Church became the land holders of the entire 800 West Block of James Brown Boulevard between D’Antignac and Barnes Streets; free from any liens or mortgages
Reverend Hall was appointed pastor on June 10, 2016 and he serves faithfully with vigor and with a renewed vitality. He is the lead pastor and the Dean of the Board of Examiners of the Augusta Georgia Annual Conference. Under his seven month leadership, he has begun a community wide outreach that has increased the presence of Bethel and increased the worship attendance. Reverend Hall has propelled the music department to higher heights by hiring a Minister of Music and a rhythm section that accompanies all choirs and formed a one hundred and twenty member Mass Choir. In addition, the Children’s Church has been revived with attendance upward of twenty-five youth and seventeen adults.
Reverend Hall led a campaign to purchase a brand new 14-passenger bus without creating any indebtedness to the church. The bus was delivered (paid in full) the third week in December. He has given Bethel a sense of regeneration with the slogan “The Downtown Church with The Uptown Spirit!”
Be sure that you begin something special in somebody’s life today!
History provided by
Sis. Emma Seay, Former Church Historian
Updates provided by Sis. Josephine Taylor
and the Historical Committee Members
