OUR CHURCH

 

                Four members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church who had moved to Stuttgart, Arkansas, began to hold meetings in 1891 and organized a church named “Sweet Home”. This church was composed of Baptist and Methodist parishioners. Mrs. Mary Johnson, who was the leader of the group, obtained the services of Rev. A. A. Hudson, who was the first pastor.

 

                The “Sweet Home” church first met in the Buerkle building at Main and Jefferson Streets in Stuttgart and also in the homes of the members.

 

                In 1892, the Rev. Hoke, a Missionary Baptist minister, held a meeting and told them that Methodist and Baptist could not serve God under the same vine and fig trees. Since the Baptists were more numerous the Methodist members withdrew from the former arrangement and began to have separate services.

 

                Rev. A. A. Hudson served as pastor in 1891. Rev. Taylor was pastor from 1891 to 1892. In 1892 the Rev. S. A. Moss, a carpenter by trade, was appointed pastor. He began to work on a church building that was completed in time for services Easter Sunday, 1893. The pews for the new church were made by Rev. Jones. The new church was named Union A.M.E. Church.

 

                In 1904, the original Bethel Church was sold to the Fellows Lodge, who moved the building away and another church was erected on the same site. Later, that building was demolished and a grey stucco building was constructed. The first service was held in May 1939 by Rev. D. D. Nelson. The trustees were Dr. J.B. Bryant, W.M. Johnson, J.H. Dillard, D.W. Wordlow, Basheba Fitzpatrick, James Gist and Jenett Carlise.

 

                Records of the church showed the following: Membership: 1912-137 by Rev. D.D. Nelson and the Sunday School 1940-1941. Two volumes of church business records from 1936-1938 to 1941 by J.S. Morgan, the church secretary, and C.E. League Record 1940-1941 held by Juanita Mack, the Secretary of Christian Endeavor League.

 

                The inventory was made March 7, 1941 by E. Roach and Mrs. Flora Cole, a daughter and Mrs. Mary Johnson one of the members, for Rev. D.D. Nelson. Our pastors were Rev. C.C. Atkins (years unknown but in the 1940’s), Rev. Holly (years unknown), Rev. C.F. Croft (1949-1953), Rev. Dove (1953-1955), Rev. H.D. Brookins (1955-1959) and Rev. C.M. May (1958-1965). It was under his pastorate that renovations were made on the church located then on the corner of North Porter and Lincoln Street. Rev. A.A. Cooper (1966-1968), Rev. J.L. Phillips (1968-1971), Rev. J.T. Thompson (1971-1975), Rev. Ben Grinage (1975-1978), Rev. James Hughes, Rev. Charles Hill, Rev. M.C. Johnson, Rev. Issac Hudson, Rev. T.V. Simpson (1980-1984),

Rev. O.R. Marshall (1984-1985), Rev. W.T. Washington (1985-1986), Rev. Napoleon Davis, Jr. (1986-2001), Rev. Robert Nelson, Jr. (December 2001- December 2006).

 

                After our second Homecoming we purchased two lots on North Maple Street on February 21, 1989. We talked with contractor and obtained a design for a new church. Later we heard of a brick church for sale and with the Lord’s blessings we bought the church at 201 East 16th Street on October 4, 1991. The lots were sold on North Maple to Lively Stone Apostolic Ministries.

 

                We entered New Bethel A.M.E. Church, Sunday morning on January 12, 1992 for our first worship service. Under the leadership of Rev. Napoleon Davis, Jr. The indebtedness of the present facility was paid off several years before the due date. This could and would not have been accomplished without a “can drive” spearheaded by the late Mrs. Fannie Dobbs and it involved some of the members. Cans were sold monthly and money, along with other monies, was paid directly on the principal. We also purchased new pews, chairs for the choir, and raised the roof on the fellowship hall and carpeted the floor in the sanctuary.

 

                Under Rev. Robert Nelson’s leadership we purchased a church sign for the outside, installed more lighting in the sanctuary and constructed a wheelchair ramp that made the church accessible for the handicapped.

 

                On December 10, 2006, we received Rev. T.W. Scott as our pastor. During his appointment, the church was renovated in the fellowship hall and the sanctuary of the church. Pastor Arthur Wayne Johnson came to us September 2010 until June 2012. Rev. Jamar White was sent to New Bethel June 2012 until June 2013. Now our present pastor, Rev. Thomas Lee Gipson, Jr., came to use in June 2013 and now it is just like Christmas. We thank God for 124 years of New Bethel.

 

 

 

“A Loving, Caring, and Sharing Church Understanding Relevant Ministry”