OUR HISTORY

 

Bethel Pentecostal Church was one of the first churches established after Mt. Sinai Holy Church of America was incorporated in 1924.  Bethel was founded on February 28, 1926, by the late Bishop Ida Robinson, founder of the organization.

The first services were held in a rented building over a garage on Warren Street in downtown Bridgeton. The Lord did bless and souls were added to the church.  In one of the first meetings, the late Elder Charles Cooper became a member of Bethel.

Nine years later after the church was founded, the late Mother Ida B. Hayes became a member under the pastorate of the late Elder Annie DeShields.

It has not always been easy for Bethel, but through many dangers, toils and snares and by the help of God, we have already come. God is yet blessing and supplying our needs according to His riches in Heaven.

In 1929, the church moved to 67 Grove Street.  This building was destroyed by fire.  The church services were then held in a building on Terrace Street until God blessed Bethel in 1942, with a new church and parsonage on Grove Street.  In 1968, by faith and under the leadership of Elder Henry W. Satchell, we purchased another church and parsonage at 124-128 South Avenue.

Bethel Pentecostal Church has been blessed with wonderful pastors. Each one served God and the church faithfully. Those who pastored Bethel are as follows: Bishop Ida Robinson, Bishop Elmira Jefferies, Elder Nathaniel Walker, Elder T.L. Lambert, Elder T.P. Woodson, Elder Annie Deshields, Elder Beulah Lewis, and Elder Henry W. Satchell.

In August 1972, Bishop Ruth E. Satchell was appointed pastor of Bethel by the Board of Directors. She was installed as pastor by Bishop Mary E. Jackson on the day of her husband’s interment. Many accomplishments have been made at Bethel under her leadership, some of which are the installation of central air in the church, renovation of the ground floor to an all-purpose room and kitchen pantry, purchase of an extra lot which was paved for parking, installation of aluminum siding on the church, renovations at the parsonage including upstairs paneling, brick facing on the exterior, and bars on the windows. She re-established the children’s choir and organized the Busy Bees to help teach the young people to be thrifty. She bought choir robes for the children several times during her leadership. These are just a few of the many material gifts which have been bestowed through her ministry.

During 1985 and 1986 under the leadership of Bishop Satchell, Bethel was face-lifted in many areas: 1.) renovation of the Pastor’s Study with the addition and a private powder room, 2.) installation of two commodes and wash basins in the ladies’ room 3.) new flooring and double sinks in the pantry, 4.) padding on the pews in the main sanctuary. Bishop Satchell paid to have pews padded in commemoration of some of those that have gone to be with the Lord.  In addition, our pastor personally donated to the church a set of drums, the carpeting and new sound system in the main sanctuary. She also saw a very important need to provide transportation for the church and purchased a van that has a seating capacity of 15.

Bishop Satchell was the sponsor of our Annual Back Home Services. Saints and friends that ever had any ties with Bethel were invited to return and fellowship with Bishop Satchell and the saints of Bethel. On Saturday night of the 1st service, every Minister or Elder that had once belonged to Bethel and had gone on the field was given 10 minutes for a sermonette. It was an emotional, eventful experience. God blessed both spiritually and financially.

On May 26, 2010, Bishop Ruth E .Satchell was blessed to be 100 years old and she still proclaimed the salvation of the Lord.  On March 1, 2011, our beloved Bishop Satchell went home to be with the Lord after serving as pastor for 39 years.

On November 5, 2011, Elder Harmon M. Holden was installed as pastor of Bethel by Bishop D. Elaine Harris, after serving as assistant pastor for eleven years. Pastor Holden had overseen many restoration projects; the restoration of the parsonage, dining area, choir room into a beautiful seating area and the kitchen.

On October 19, 2013, Pastor Holden became the first pastor to be wed while in office in the history of Bethel, to the lovely Elder Arlene (Powell) Holden.

On January 19, 2015, Elder Holden’s last sermon to the congregation was taken from Joshua 4:10 which says “For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.”  His sermon topic was “Speak to the people that they go forward”.

On January 20, 2015, Pastor Elder Harmon Holden went home to be with the Lord.  We thank God for Elder Holden’s faithfulness in continuing the work that had been bestowed upon him by the Lord for the three year he served.

On June 11, 2015, Bishop D. Elaine Harris appointed Elder James W. Faggins as Pastor of Bethel.  Pastor James and First Lady Elder Tonya Faggins’ vision is for KINGDOM BUILDING.  Pastor Faggins’ mission is for outreach of the souls of men, women, young and old.   The word of the Lord in Luke 14:23 says “And the lord said unto the servant, go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”   Building God’s Kingdom with LOVE and power of the Holy Spirit.

Bethel is truly blessed by God and remains a pillar in the community.  We thank Him for His mercy from generation to generation.

 

We are a church STILL STANDING on the WORD OF GOD….To God Be the Glory!