In the year of our Lord, 1886, a Christian movement was originated with the following Christians in the organization: Timothy Baker, William Scott, Bennie Brown, Timothy Strong, Jenine Baker, Laura Brown, and the Rev. Our early church was sheltered in the old Whitfield Blacksmith Shop located on West Main Street. “Statesboro Mission” was the name of the new church. It was there that the congregati
on met and worshipped for three years. In 1890, the church purchased a lot on Bulloch Street and enacted the first sanctuary. It was known as St. Church. In the early 1900's, that building was destroyed by fire. The next building was located on Johnson Street and the name was changed from St. John to Bethel A.M.E. This change occurred in 1915. As the congregation increased, the church fathers saw fit to invite the Annual Conference to Statesboro. In 1921 Bethel housed the Annual Conference for the first time. Statesboro became the center of the conference and the second conference was held in 1925 with the Rev. D. W. Stephen, host. In 1934, The Rev. Dimmings entertained the third annual conference. During the year of 1952, the Urban Renewal was in process in Statesboro, and again the church moved in deference to the Urban Renewal. The deference was the result from a meeting of a committee including Rev. Isaac McCormick, Mrs. Roxie Butler, Mr. Vandy Johnson and Mr. Walter Harris. With the Urban Renewal continuing, in 1953, the church was forced to move from Johnson Street to our present location on 102 Peachtree Street. During the Rev. L.W. Lane’s 11years of service, the church again, entertained the Annual Conference, in 1954 and in 1958. The Rev. C. M. Huff was assigned to Bethel from 1959 – 1961. In the year of 1961, Rev. Isaac McCormick was named pastor of Bethel A.M.E. He inherited a debt of approximately $12,000. During his pastorate of 16 years, a few loyal members assisted him in paying off the debt. Bethel was really blessed, for his was the first time the church was out of debt for over half a century. The stewards who served during Rev. McCormick’s pastorate were Rufus Butler, Jr., Talmadge Hendrix, Sr., Vernon S. Butler, Sr., George Holmes, Julius Abraham, Sr., and Alfred Chapple. Trustees were : Walter Scott, Levi Butler, Sr., Dennis Martin, Rufus Butler, Jr., and Isaiah Gasbet. Missionary President, Roxie Butler; Pres. of Choir, Mary Lee Martin; Chorister, Mary Jackson; Treasurer, Alfred Chapel; Asst. Administrator, Prof. Julius Abraham, Sr.; Musicians, Vivian Brown, Mr. Middleton, Glayvera Martin, Mildred McCormick, Roger Burgoon; Sunday School Supt., Henry Brown, Vernon S. Butler, James Middleton, Mary J. Jackson, Glennera Martin; Secretaries, Vernon S. Butler, Sr., Luetta Moore, Glennera Martin, Constance Jones; Y.P.D. Director, Glennera Martin. Rev. McCormick made quite an improvement. He paid off the mortgage, repaired the parsonage, had natural gas put in the church and parsonage. He entertained the lOOth session of the Georgia Annual Conference in 1965, under Bishop Ernest L. Hickman. Bethel became the seat of the Pre Annual Conference of the West Savannah District. McCormick increased the membership by eight members.
