Bethel Church of Bay Shore, New York

In the early 1800’s, the foundation of Bethel AME Church was laid according to the missionary pattern of the early Christian church by worshipping from home to home. In 1865, the congregation worshipped here until they acquired the present building from the First Congregational Church of Bay Shore. The church was moved to its present location in 1895 and was incorporated in 1897. The first pastor

to serve Bethel was the Reverend Walter Grayson who was appointed by Bishop Henry McNeal at the Annual Conference in 1888. Since that first appointment, many pastors have contributed toward the growth and development of Bethel. In May 1949, a new milestone was reached under the capable leadership of Reverend Richard Allen Hildebrand, now Bishop Hildebrand, with the burning of the church’s mortgages and the dedication of a new Wurlitzer Organ. fter Reverend Hildebrand, several pastors continued to lead Bethel to new heights. In 1963 the Reverend Ulysses S. Brown was appointed to Bethel. During Reverend Brown’s administration the church celebrated its 100th anniversary on October 28, 1965 and a $20,000 expansion project was instituted and completed. In January 1981, the Reverend James E. Lawrence was appointed pastor. Under his administration a lunch program was instituted, where 100 children were fed daily, during the summer months. He was a very dynamic and spirit filled leader. The associate pastor of Bethel, the Reverend Benjamin Hill, Sr., led the congregation after the demise of Reverend Dempsey until the appointment of Reverend Christopher Gillins in February 1986. Under Pastor Gillin’s leadership, a 49 passenger bus was purchased and paid for as the church continued to grow spiritually.