The History of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

The African Methodist Episcopal Church Incorporated was organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and charted by the state of
Pennsylvania in 1787 as the Free African Society and later on August 12, 1794 became the African Church of Philadelphia. After
much discriminatory treatment of blacks, Allen remained faithful to Methodism and used his own savings to buy a former
blacksmith’s shop and transplant it onto a plot of land he had previously purchased in Philadelphia. After renovations, Bethel
African Church opened on April 9, 1794, and Allen was ordained its deacon. From the start of 1787 and eighty-two years later,
under the charter of this parent body, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas was organized. Bethel was the
first church of color in the city of Dallas. This organization or society was founded in 1869 by Pappy W.T. Love and Father Wilhite
in a small box house on what was then known as the Dallas branch in North Dallas. Located on the vicinity of Leonard and
Cochran streets. It was later moved farther up the branch to 1812 Leonard Street at Cochran to occupy a larger frame building.
Since many blacks had been attending service at white churches, a church of color was welcomed.

 

Bethel A.M.E. Church has served under thirty-eight Pastors, twenty-five Presiding Elders and twenty-one Bishops. The first brick
church in Dallas was erected by Bethel’s membership under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Armstrong in 1884. Rev. Armstrong later
became a Bishop of the A. M. E. Church. The Rev. George B. Young, who served as pastor from 1924-1928, was elected Bishop
of the General Church from the pastorate at Bethel A.M.E. in 1928. The first unit of the second brick church was built during the
Young administration.

 

Since 1900, Bethel A.M. E. Church has made an Annual Report to the Annual Conference roll call through its pastors in support
of missions, church outreach programs and the various departments of the general Church. Because of effective and dedicated
community service through its members, several Dallas Public Schools bare the names of former Bethel members. They are B.
F. Darrel, N. W. Harlee, J.P. Starks, C.F. Carr, Julia C. Frazier and Charles Rice.

 

In 1969, during the administration of Rev. Jno DeLeon Walker, Bethel changed locations for the third time in its history. This
move from the Leonard Street location in the North Dallas area culminates in the membership occupying the present edifice in
the South Oak Cliff section of the city at 1638 East Ann Arbor Avenue.

 

Under the Walker administration, the church purchased a 150-unit low rent-housing complex that has since been sold to private
investors. Some of the outreach programs that have been sponsored by Bethel are a Child Care Center, an Alcohol and Drug
Rehabilitation Program, a Hot Lunch Program for the Aged and Disabled. The Food Pantry for the needy and a Juvenile
Rehabilitation Program operated by the Concerned Citizens of Dallas.

 

During the administration of Rev. George Willis, the groundwork was laid for the purchase of a Church Parsonage. The final
transaction was completed during the administration of Rev. E. F. Boyd. A magnificent accomplishment under the administration
of Rev. Marshall S. Hobbs, Sr. has been to complete renovation and remodeling of the Church Sanctuary and parsonage. Pastor
Hobbs with God on his side took the reins of a difficult financial situation that he found on the arrival at Bethel. In nine years
because of his determination to succeed, lead Bethel into financial freedom. In 1997 the Mortgage on the Church parsonage was
burned in a Sunday Morning Worship Service by Bishop John Richard Bryant. In 1998, the demolition of three buildings on the
church’s campus was completed for the sum of $79,000.00. The purpose in making this move was to make room for additional
parking on the south side of Ann Arbor, so the membership would no longer have to walk across Ann Arbor to get to the church.
Bethel now owned free and clear four pieces of property with clear title deeds. This administration was all about reaching our
community and with the help of the membership, Bethel was able to purchase a fifteen-passenger van for membership and
community usage and for the first time ever signed a major contract with the Children’s First Academy Charter School, which
would be housed in the fellowship hall, for grades kindergarten thru six grade.

 

After changing administration again in 1999 with a young vibrant leader, Rev. N. Jordan Mkwanazi brought a “new” sense of
community involvement for the entire church. He taught on evangelism and helped form one of the first neighborhood
evangelism teams. Affectionately known as the “African” preacher, he along with the Daughters of Naomi Ministry started the

Good Friday Luncheon. Every year the church and its membership feed over 500 hundred persons who were either homeless or
just hungry. Outreach abroad was no stranger to this administration. Continuously the body sent the Pastor and wife to various
parts of Africa to spread the gospel and provide financial assistance to our adopted churches. The economic process of Bethel
did not stop, as we were able to complete all the work on the parking lot with all areas being paved for durability.

 

After the major reorganization of the North Texas Conference and the Greater Dallas District, Bethel was moved to what is
known as the Tyler District of the North Texas Conference of the Tenth District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to
serve as the leading church. Along with this drastic change, in the fall of 2004 the illustrative teaching and preaching came in the
form of leadership of the Rev. Reginald J. Houston and “In the Bag Ministry”. Upon his arrival, he noticed the diversity of the
church and decided it was time to meet the needs of all who worshipped together. Therefore, he established the first Wednesday
night Church School and named it the “L.W. Muckelroy Church School”. This Wednesday night service was the highlight of
Bethel’s new ministries. Rev. Houston believed in prayer and therefore out of his God sought vision he established the A.I.M.
(Anointed Intercessory Ministry), PAM (Prison and Military Ministry), the Adult Liturgical Dance Ministry, the Shepherds Ministry
and many others. With his unique style of preaching and teaching, he was often sought after to serve as worship leader,
workshop facilitator, teacher and preacher. His motto, found in the familiar scripture of Psalms 35:27….Let the Lord be
magnified, in your life, in your home, Let the Lord be magnified!!!

 

In November of 2012 the Lord saw fit to move Bethel Dallas into a different dimension of worship by sending the young and
innovative Rev. Mittie C. Muse, Jr. Elect Lady DeMetruss Muse and family (Madison, Mittie, III, and McKenzie). A third
generation preacher and a second generation preacher in African Methodism. Rev. Muse hit the ground running by introducing
the church to new methods of worship through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media outlets.
 He implemented the Second Sunday Empowerment Sundays focusing on the youth of the church and community and the
Thursday night bible study via conference call. Within his first three years, Rev. Muse was instrumental in leading the process of
acquiring two new air conditioners for the sanctuary, purchasing a new state of the art sound system, renovating the foyer and
outside front entrance way and a complete beautification of the Sherman Fellowship Hall. No stranger to hard work and ministry,
Rev. Muse could be seen in the community doing street ministry, attending weekly meetings, choir rehearsals and throughout the
city preaching and teaching the word of God. Rev. Muse was dedicated to service and primed for leadership. His prayer was for
the Lord to continue molding him for service as he seeks to encourage, uplift and empower God’s people.

 

Rev. Darrell G. Caldwell, Sr. was appointed to Bethel, November 14, 2015. With him came his wife, Elect Lady Annette Caldwell,
who has been the dynamic, spirit-filled and compassionate First Lady of Bethel. Rev. Caldwell has taken his appointment very
seriously, devoting himself to fulltime ministry and community service. Pastor is affectionately referred to as one who pastors with
a shepherd’s heart. The following accomplishments have been made since his appointment. The Stewardess Board has
increased by three members, A Stewardship and Fellowship initiative was introduced and has been a blessing spiritually and
financially, the Class Leader Council has been restructured and has been highly effective. A different concept in Bible Study that
encourages student interaction has been instituted and, numerous administrative processes/procedures have been
implemented. A new state of the art piano was purchased and major plumbing and electrical infrastructure updates were made.
In November 2019, Rev. Dwayne Hysmith Sr. and Elect Lady Tenner Hysmith were assigned to serve Bethel. Pastor Hysmith is
dedicated to mission work and taking the church outside of the building walls. Within a month and a half of serving Bethel a toy
drive give-away of over 250 toys were given in the community.