our story

Bethel is one of the oldest black churches in Johnston County, NC, dating back to the year 1880. Bethel's humble beginning was under a bush harbor with seats made of tree trunks and boards, which still sits to the south of the church building. On September 16, 1896, Kerney Eason and Arcada Eason entered into an agreement with C. D. Stancil, L. W. Stancil, and Haywood Scarboro, Trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, solely to purchase one acre of land near the schoolhouse for "$7 (seven dollars)". This parcel of land is used today for the cemetery. And on September 21, 1896, C. D. Stancil, L. W. Stancil and Haywood C. Scarboro, trustees of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal entered into an indenture with William May to purchase one acre of land for "$2 (two dollars)", for the use and benefit of the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States and to be controlled by the rulers of the Discipline of the said church established by the General Conference. The papers were filed and recorded on May 30, 1900, at 9:00 AM.

The exact date the first church was built is not known. In 1920 until 1948, the following pastors were appointed: the Reverends A. J. Hall, John Baldwin, Rev. Hall, Thomas Everett, H. W. Singleton, E. B. Deloatche, Stephenson A. Fernell, E. L. Smith, A. H. Douglas and D. Morrison. Under the leadership of the late Rev. McMillian, in 1951, the congregation felt it was time to build a new building on the west side of the present building. The Reverends J. E. Mack, B. J. Pickett, J.W. Stanley, and James C. Grady followed Reverend McMillian. In 1964, the Reverend Claude McAllister completed the construction started under Reverend McMillian. Under Reverend D. Melvin, Sr., the pews and pulpit were purchased. The kitchen and pastor's office were built under the leadership of Reverend James Ingram. Reverend Dr. R. L. Homes followed Reverend Ingram. Reverend Thomas O'Neal “T.O.” Nixon was appointed pastor in 1986. The church went from service twice a month to every Sunday. Under his leadership, many new and essential business procedures were implemented. The first budget was put in place. The church underwent a significant makeover. Stained windows were purchased, the bathrooms were remodeled, walls were half paneled, new carpet was laid, the pulpit seats was upholstered, the original entrance to the church and steeple were updated, and a PA system was installed, as well as an HVAC system. 

In 1993 Reverend T. Campbell followed Reverend Thompson. Under Reverend Campbell, the first mortgage was liquidated, the parking lot paved, and significant renovation to the church. New bathrooms were added, and the old ones renovated, a new kitchen, pastor office, and secretary office were built. New carpet, hardwood floors redone, drums, a lounge, and handicap ramps were added to the church. Under Reverend Campbell, the church hosted a District Conference and several North Carolina Conference Lay meetings. Bishop Vinton R. Anderson dedicated the new addition to the church in 2004, what a glorious occasion. At the North Carolina Annual Conference hosted by St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in May 2004, Reverend Edward Sloan was appointed pastor by Bishop Vinton R. Anderson. Reverend Sloan took the Bible Study to a new level, and many of the members attended regularly. In July 2007, at the Youth Congress in Hampton, Virginia, Reverend Oliver Banks was appointed Pastor of Bethel AME Church by Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson. In May 2013, Bethel was put in the hands of Presiding Elder Larry S. Hinton until Bishop William P. DeVeaux appointed a new pastor.

In May 2014, Reverend Abdue Knox was appointed pastor of Bethel. Rev. Knox created a noonday worship & Bible study, Friday Night Live and different outings for the youth, Leadership workshops for the officers and leaders, Soup Kitchen, Partnership with St. Andrews Society (gleaning fresh vegetables and fruits) for the community, along with many other creative and important initiatives. After the North Carolina Annual Conference in April 2019, Bishop James Levert Davis moved Rev. Knox to Greater Bethel Charlotte, NC and appointed Rev. Dr. Marques Wheeler as the new pastor at Bethel-Selma. Rev. Wheeler only served ten months before he transferred to another AME Church in 9th Episcopal District. On July 31, 2020, at the 151st Session of the North Carolina Annual Conference, Rev. Melech Thomas was as appointed Bethel’s pastor. 

Since Rev. Melech's arrival during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bethel's online presence has doubled in impact. We have established our first website, increased our followers on Facebook from 300 to over 1,000, and have re-branded the church with a new logo. Also, the church is currently in the process of updating our streaming services in order to better meet the need for a hybrid worship experience during these times.

At the Second Episcopal District Planning meeting in July 2023, Rev. Christopher Sean Edwards was appointed Pastor of Bethel AME Church. Since Rev. Edwards has been at Bethel AME Church major renovations has taken place. Under his leadership the church has got a digital sign, new roof, new gutters, repaved parking lot, stucco the outside of the building, new interior lights, new windows, remodeled the choir stand, and the work continues. It does not yet appear where Bethel AME Church will go from here. 

We look forward to great things in Bethel-Selma's next chapter under Rev. Chris Edwards leadership!