History

In 1872, seven years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Bethel AME Church in Mobile, Alabama was organized 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 Ms. Carrie Thomas. The founders of this historic 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. They also gave guidance and support to people of color and to 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 the collection of dues. During this period of our history, Brother Bowman Alexander assisted by Mr. Jessie Owens and Mr. H.P. Johnson, provided the leadership for the church. Led by the spirit of God, this newly established church experienced growth in membership which resulted in the church moving into a rented house on Madison Street in an area 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 building. Two lots were purchased at 210 and 212 South Franklin Street, and the first Bethel Church was built on this land. The construction was a frame building. It was said to be unique in every way. There was carpet on the floor, a well fitted pulpit and an organ. A Sunday school and mission department were organized. The choir and organist were selected. Hattie Jackson, the daughter of Estelle Jackson became the first church organist. William Brazier, the son of Rev. Brazier became the Superintendent of the Sunday School. Hattie Jackson and William Brazier was in the first graduation class for Negroes in Mobile.

In 1888, Rev Shields became the first Pastor of Bethel AME Church. The church didn’t have a parsonage, therefore the first pastors lodged with various members of the church. Rev F.B. Moreland and Rev. Moses Mooreland were the second and third pastors. This occurred until the fourth (4^th) Pastor, Rev. Fitzpatrick was installed. A house that became vacant on 509 south Lawrence Street was Bethel’s first parsonage. When the fifth (5^th) Pastor Rev James Walker became Pastor, the parsonage was moved to 504 Eslava Street, a few blocks from the church. It was under Rev. Walker’s administration that a brick two story parsonage was built at 212 South Franklin Street.

Rev. Moses Moreland constructed the first brick church building on the same site where the wood frame church building was located at 210 and 212 South Franklin Street.

In 1872, seven years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Bethel AME Church in Mobile, Alabama was organized 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 Ms. Carrie Thomas. The founders of this historic 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. They also gave guidance and support to people of color and to 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 the collection of dues. During this period of our history, Brother Bowman Alexander assisted by Mr. Jessie Owens and Mr. H.P. Johnson, provided the leadership for the church. Led by the spirit of God, this newly established church experienced growth in membership which resulted in the church moving into a rented house on Madison Street in an area 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 building. Two lots were purchased at 210 and 212 South Franklin Street, and the first Bethel Church was built on this land. The construction was a frame building. It was said to be unique in every way. There was carpet on the floor, a well fitted pulpit and an organ. A Sunday school and mission department were organized. The choir and organist were selected. Hattie Jackson, the daughter of Estelle Jackson became the first church organist. William Brazier, the son of Rev. Brazier became the Superintendent of the Sunday School. Hattie Jackson and William Brazier was in the first graduation class for Negroes in Mobile.

In 1888, Rev Shields became the first Pastor of Bethel AME Church. The church didn’t have a parsonage, therefore the first pastors lodged with various members of the church. Rev F.B. Moreland and Rev. Moses Mooreland were the second and third pastors. This occurred until the fourth (4^th) Pastor, Rev. Fitzpatrick was installed. A house that became vacant on 509 south Lawrence Street was Bethel’s first parsonage. When the fifth (5^th) Pastor Rev James Walker became Pastor, the parsonage was moved to 504 Eslava Street, a few blocks from the church. It was under Rev. Walker’s administration that a brick two story parsonage was built at 212 South Franklin Street.

Rev. Moses Moreland constructed the first brick church building on the same site where the wood frame church building was located at 210 and 212 South Franklin Street.

The Rev. Bobby B. Cox, Jr. was assigned Pastor of Bethel in October 2005 from St John AME Church in Birmingham, AL. Rev. Cox, affectionately called Pastor Bob served at Bethel for twelve years along with his lovely wife, Sis. Angie Cox. Under Pastor Bob’s energetic leadership, many new Boards and Auxiliaries (BAM & JAM) were formed that still exist today along with other long-standing Boards of Bethel. Pastor Bob actively engaged the Youth of the Church and assigned the Rev. Charlotte Green to be the first Youth Minister in many decades. He started Noon Day Bible Study and it became a popular Ministry enjoyed by the membership. Pastor Bob’s Ministerial Staff included Rev. Robert (Bobby) Brown, Rev. Irmatine Chastang, Rev. John Collins (deceased) and Rev. Marlene Calloway. In the community, Pastor Bob served as vice-president of the IMA (Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Mobile), vice-president of Roger Williams Housing Projects Outreach Ministry, and a member of the FBI Leadership Academy. On July 9, 2017 Pastor Bob was assigned to Mt. Calvary AME Church, Towson, MD. The Rev. Charlotte V. Greene served as the interim (Supply) Pastor of Bethel AME Church.

Minister of Music, Mr. Vernell Drayton has led the Bethel’s Music Department for over forty years. Dr. Lucy Nell Parker humbly served as Pianist and Organist for many years before her death. Mr. Drayton is currently assisted by Mr. Charles Wills Jr. Pianist and Organist, Mrs. Marion Morris, Pianist, Mr. Roderick Jackson, Drummer, and Ms. Nicole Bush who is the Youth Choir Director.

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

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

On July 30, 2017 Rev. Deborah Peppers was assigned as the new Pastor of Bethel AME Church. She was the first full time female Pastor of Bethel. She served as Chair of the Board of Examiners and President of the Women’s’ in Ministry.

The Retired Presiding Elder E.A. Rouse served as the interim Pastor of Bethel AME Church from October 21, 2018, until November 4, 2018.

The Rev. Trevor E. Woolridge was assigned as the new Pastor of Bethel AME Church on November 3, 2018 from Johns Chapel AME Church in Enterprise, Alabama. Rev. Woolridge and his lovely wife Denise are proud parents of two children and one granddaughter.

Unquestionably, Bethel AME Church has evolved through a prosperous history of recorded and unrecorded events which has molded this edifice into a fortress of love and humility that it exemplifies today.