Bethel AME Church-Rising

HISTORY:

Early in the 1900's, a few faithful Christian people met at the home of brother and sister T.M. Mosley to organize our chruch. Families that participated were, P.A. Miller, Laura and Waltor Miller, the Ella Ellis Family(Hattie, Julia Mae, Elizabeth, and Curtis), and the Boones, (L.T. and son).

The first church was organized at Oceola Station under the late Rev. C.L. Wright. It was located near the ground, known as Fair Park on Lomb Avenue.

Our first superintendent of Sunday School was Mr. J.W. Keith and Mrs. Anna Davis was one of our first Sunday school teachers. This church was named Bethel African Methodist Episcopal.

In 1909, Rev. F.R. Hombrook relocated our church at Rising Station as more families joined. They were the Aruthur Tarver Family (C.D. and Clara); the Thomas Clay Family (Jimmie, Ben, Mary, Clyde, Ison, Clifton and Inez); the Melton Family (Charles, Luella and Ida Charles); B. Cunningham and Catherine Cunningham; Wylie and Myrtle Glover; Alex House and Family; and the Byrd Family (Julia, Anna, Elizabeth); Clara Tarver was one the promoters of the "Heaven Bound Pageant."

During the next annual conference, a minister was sent to serve this mission church. His name was Rev. R.C. Wallace, who pastured Bethel twice. Rev. N.C. Coats on the same site rebuilt the church in 1921. Our earlier church history was destroyed in fire.

The trustees in 1921 were: Brother W.W. Glover, Clarence Manley J.W. Keith, I. Lewis, and S. Braggs.

As the years passed, other families joined the religious environment, they were: Desabee and Agnes Peters, M. Phillips, Charlie and Susie Burnett, Howard Berry, Sr., and family, Lula Adams and family, the Hearn Family, Lillie, Ben and Raymond Elliott, Sr., Pocohonas Forby, Robey Robinson, the Green Family, Ida M. Gazaway, Andrew and Nellie Dowdell, Eather Peeples, Josephine Walker, Mack and Gussie McGhee, John Ryle and many others. The Ellis, Sewell, & Berry families are chartered members through five generations.

Members who served as Sunday school Superintendents after Myrtle Glover in 1928 were: Fannie Adams, Willie Adams Jackson, James Simpson, Oscar Berry, Horace H. Hall, Ezekiel Evans, Quinn T. Leverette, and presently, Simpson Berry, Jr.

Pastors (1900-present)
Reverends: C.L. Wright, F.H. Hombrock, J.C. Coats, J.W. Hanson, J.T. Jamar, E.J. Odom, Patterson, Wallace, Gibson, W.P. Driver,k A.D. Tyson, W.C. Fields, H.W. Anthony, James C. Bonner, J.L. Jackson, A.I. Tooson, T.H. Russell, Albert Owens, C.I. Coleman, W.W. Marzette, N.S. Blackstone, W.H. McSpadden, A.B. Herbert, G.W. Scott, Herman Hayes, J.W Nashville, C.T. Thomas, Clarence Fells, T.W. Billups, Lomax, Richard Johnson, Johnny Edison, Arthur Davis, J.C. Rice. Frederick D. Parker, Gregory McLeod, Percy W. Jones,& Dr. Xavier T. Carter and currently presides Patrica Outlaw.

Organizations & Boards:
Steward, Trustee, Stewardess, Mytle J. Glover Missionary Society, Usher, Young People Division (YPD),Lay, Sunday School, Pastor's Aide Board, Children's Church, and Choir.