Bethel AME Zion Church

The History of the Zion Church
Indeed reflects surviving the attitudes of slavery, and segregated “CASTE” system of inequality. The birth of the Zionism began, in New York City, 1786, when the first Methodist Church in America was organized, The James Street Methodist Church.

This Church allowed Colored people to attend James Street Church and sit in the balcony. However as fate would have it, the colored church go’ers grew; they became very knowledgeable about Methodism, organization THE BIBLE TEACHINGS and even how to PREACH!

The colored worshipers could not PARTICIPATE IN ANY Sacraments or church activities until the WHITE MEMBERS pronounced Benediction. This continued until about 1800 when the large colored following organized themselves, built a church on 125th street and called it ZION METHODIST CHURCH. We as Zionites called it MOTHER ZION. Hence, African was added to Methodist Episcopal then we have AMEZ. The white Methodist clergy taught ministers and Bishops were declared Bishop by the “Laying of Hands” Direct Session of Bishory, GOD’s appointed one over souls. Many Men and Women who were fighters, Leaders for Freedom came from Mother Zion, the FREEDOM CHURCH.

Our own Zion Church in Kingsport shared services with the Colored Baptist Church the early 1920’s. A circuit Rider preacher, Rev. Barnes preached to each domination congregation alternately two times a month. The Zion’s and Baptist shared the same building, pews, song books.

The Zion people in this shared church house on Oak and Maple Streets organized. They formed Trustees, Secretary; namely Thomas Cartwright, Boston Cartwright, Dennis Smith, Ernest Watson, Dave O’Neal and Stella Cartwright secretary. This group bought a lot in the 800 block of Maple Street and built the Zion Church. The one room, a pot bellied stove, pulpit, and piano (and piano player). By 1937 the AME Zion Church was bricked veneered, had a basement, a Church Bell and a membership that followed Jesus. It was on that day in April 1937, the Zion Church on Maple Street was so named BETHEL.

When Bethel A.M.E. Zion church moved from 909 Oak Street, the building was renovated for the church parsonage. Under the leadership of Rev. L. M. Durdan the property was sold and money applied toward the purchase of two houses on Myrtle Street one which is rental property and the brick two story, nine room, 2 bath structures selected for a church parsonage.

The Kingsport Nursery School was founded and license by the State operated at Bethel. The popular Laymen’s chorus, first of its kind in the area for more than 10 years, the Genesis Youth Choir that was renowned from Yale University to Chicago. The beautiful stained glass windows of remarkable beauty remodeled the sanctuary and most recently, 2001 paid off a $63,000 bank note. This does not reflect the triumphs of blessing too numerous to mention plus new members, birth of babies, the heritage and legacies bequeathed to us from great members, Pastors, Presiding Elders, and Bishops who have passed on.

According to the DISCIPLINE of AME Zion Church the following ministers have served as Pastors at Bethel A.M.E. Zion church:

Bennett [Hawkins] Pugh
Blair Hoffman Raspberry
Blay Keaton Rogers
Bruce Lawson Ray
Crawford Linder Seals
Davenport Martin Walls
Douglas Marshall Walton
Durden Ofosu Webb
Edge Parsons Wright
Harriston Pierce

Serving as the 29th Pastor at Bethel A.M.E. Zion church is Elder Charles A. Hawkins.

Note:

Rev. L. A. Lawson Built present church
Rev. J. P. Keaton Built Educational Wing on to present church.
Rev. L. M. Durden Acquired church parsonage on Myrtle Street and
adjoining property
to the church, presently used for a parking lot.
Rev. B. F. Wright Social outreach ministry
Rev. J. C. Bruce Social outreach ministry
Rev. Douglas Under the leadership, the start of Laymen’s Chorus was founded
Rev. Blay the start of Genesis Youth Choir was started

In 1994 due to the fire outbreak and other problems, it became necessary to secure a loan to undertake extensive renovation. The project was carried on through Rev. Blay and the hard working Trustees.

The vision was given to our Pastor Rev. Ofosu to work on the burning of the mortgage. The A-Team was created by Dawnella Ellis and with the help of the members and friends responded favorably to appeal for fund and we were able to pay off debt ($63,000) two years ahead of time. On June 17, 2001 Bethel AME Zion Church held The Mortgage Burning. Thanks be to God!

The slogan of Freedom Church is a part of Bethel. Out of the membership at Bethel; Vice Mayors, Aldermen, Advisory Boards in the City, Church Women United, State Representative, Honorary State Colonel, President of Kingsport City Teacher Association, CEO of Government Sponsored, OEO and other supporting Avocations for Freedom, participation and Equality TO FOLLOW JESUS.