Our History

Rev. A. J. Mitchell arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina from Winnsboro, SC seeking employment. He met Samuel T. Moore, also from the same city. They were both African Methodists and sought to establish a church of this denomination. In the same year with spiritual guidance, God’s blessings, and determination, thirteen African Methodists from Winnsboro, South Carolina, together with Rev. Mitchell and Mr. Moore, organized and founded Bethel African Methodist Church. Other charter members were: Mrs. Samuel T. Moore, Mrs. Charlie Lyles, Mrs. Bessie Cooley, Mrs. Sally Rabb Smith, Dr. & Mrs. Vick, and Mrs. J. L. Eagle. Rev A. J. Mitchell was the first pastor of Bethel AME Church. The church was located at 906 First Street. The congregation later relocated to the Good Samaritan Hall that stood on the corner of South Caldwell and East Boundary Streets. The Hall burned down and the congregation held services in a building on Crockett Street. The Good Samaritan Hall was rebuilt and the congregation returned to that site.

Brother Samuel T. Moore, one of the most faithful members and one of the founders, loaned the church $550 to purchase a parcel of land at Starr Street and South Boulevard and the Sunday School Building was erected. Rev. J. D. Cowan, then Presiding Elder, gave a helping hand with the construction of the building. Shortly thereafter, the Sanctuary was constructed under the Pastorate of Rev. A. Wilson.

Rev. H. D. Patterson and the Bethel AME congregation were compelled to move to a new location because of Urban Renewal Redeployment. With the consent of Rev. James E. McCollum, the officers and members of Gillespie United Methodist Church, Bethel held services for one year at their church. When it became necessary to relocate, Rev. McCollum and his congregation granted Bethel the privilege to continue to worship at the old site of Simpson Chapel United Methodist Church on West Trade Street.

A resourceful and energetic Christian leader, Rev. Mayo Rich, was sent to be the Pastor. It was under his leadership that Bethel marched triumphantly into the location at 201 Grandin Road under the name Greater Bethel African Methodist Church, The adjective “Greater” was added with the consent of the membership to reflect God’s blessing on the congregation and their works. Under the administration of Rev. L. S. Penn, the Young Adult Choir was reactivated, adopted the name “The Bethel Spiritualites”, and gave its first Anniversary Concert. The annual concerts became a tradition. Rev. Frank M. Reid III was appointed Pastor after Rev. Penn. During his tenure, Greater Bethel initiated the “Faith Can Move Mountains” outreach radio broadcast. Under Rev. Reid’s youthful and militant leadership, the membership grew by leaps and bounds. Much of the growth was including membership comprised primarily of students attending the nearby Johnson C. Smith University.

Rev. Levi Brown, Jr. was appointed Pastor. Rev. Brown was involved in evangelism and ecumenism. Under his leadership, Greater Bethel entered into a renovation project and the physical structure of the Church was renovated. A new conference room and officers for the Pastor and secretary were added.

Rev. David L. Morrison, Sr. received his appointment to Greater Bethel from the Rt. Rev. John Hurst Adams. Bethel was able to continue the renovations under Rev. Morrison’s inspiring direction. The parsonage received major renovations, including new bathrooms, carpeting, and a new roof. The outdoor sign for the Church was remodeled and made of durable brick. The Church grew in membership and spiritual fervor. Rev. Morrison possessed leadership qualities and was a loving and caring Minister, who was a friend to all.

Rev. Conrad K. Pridgen was appointed Pastor. Under his leadership, the renovation program continued with the selection of a contractor and the implementation of the “Renovation Project”, which had been started under the leadership of Rev. Morrison. Under Pastor Pridgen’s inspirational leadership, a Youth Bible Study, a Young Adult Choir, an Outreach Service, and other Church activities were implemented. The Church grew spiritually and became actively involved in the community. Rev. Pridgen was instrumental in the purchase of the Siskron Property for Greater Bethel located on Grandin and Tuckaseegee Roads. This marked major and historical growth for the church.

Following the death of Presiding Elder John R. Crutchfield , and under the directive of Second Episcopal District Bishop Dr. Vinton R. Anderson, Rev. Benjamin Foust, (then pastor of Bethel in Greensboro) was appointed to serve as Presiding Elder of the Western District of the WNCC. Rev. Dr. Walter V. Howard, Jr. (then pastor of Mt. Zion-Greensboro) was appointed to Greater Bethel. All of this occurred during the October 1997 Mid-Year Conference at Mt. Zion AME Church in Hillsborough, N.C.

Dr. Howard led the people of Greater Bethel in the renovation of the upper level of the church building, which had not been used in over 25 years. The “Upper Room”, as it was affectionately called, was completely renovated and remodeled. The area consisted of a music rehearsal area meeting rooms, computer lab, print shop, ministerial lounge, finance room and the Pastor’s office suite.

At the Planning Meeting in Hampton, VA, Bishop A. J. Richardson appointed Rev. Morris Reddon, Jr. formerly of the Baltimore Conference to lead the people of Greater Bethel. Upon his arrival, Rev. Reddon asked the congregation to “follow me as I follow Christ”. Due to the sale of the Grandin Road property, the Greater Bethel congregation was faced with the major challenge of relocation. Seeking to follow God’s will, Pastor Reddon, the officers and members of Greater Bethel temporarily worshipped in the Alexander Funeral Home, affectionately referred to as “The Chapel”, as they sought their new church home. At “The Chapel”, the Holy Spirit thrived as members and visitors worshipped, praised, and sang to the glory of God. He proclaimed that the Lord would lead the Greater Bethel family into a permanent home within a year -a seemingly impossible feat by man’s standards.

Rev. Reddon led the officers and members of Greater Bethel into their new church home. On that day, the members of Greater Bethel along with supporters and friends witnessed the glorious culmination of a journey that was truly directed by the Lord. During the tenure of Rev. Reddon, God’s plan for Greater Bethel has been manifested in the growth of the congregation, the increase in and display of spirituality, and growth in the ministries of the church.

Bishop James L. Davis appointed Rev. Dr. Abdue Knox, formerly of Bethel AME Church – Selma, NC, to lead the congregation of Greater Bethel into the next phase of history. During the first few months of his leadership, he has spearheaded the completion of major capital improvement initiatives on the church campus, revived several ministries, began new ministries and begin a Children’s Church. Dr. Knox has adopted the working theme “Love God, Love the People, Do the Work, and with his leadership, Greater Bethel will reach new heights.