Bethel A.M.E. Church-Beloit’s First African American Church

A special thanks to Shvon Clayton for access to the history of Bethel A.M.E. Church. This information was prepared by Kathryn Simmons in 2012 for the church’s 130th anniversary celebration.

In November of 1881, a small group of African Americans decided to form a church to serve the religious needs of their community, leading to the founding of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. In Bethel’s original charter there were twenty-two members.

The original location of Bethel’s first church was in the general vicinity of what was then Woodard and Eclipse Avenues, which was heavily populated with African American residents at that time.

Their first appointed minister was Reverend Jesse Woods, a traveling minister that was sent to small towns and rural areas to preach the gospel and to organize churches.

In the fall of 1885, Bethel purchased a small pebble-dashed house at 521 Race St. (later named St. Paul) for $1,000.00. The upstairs was converted into two rooms, the larger room was used for worship. Their small sanctuary had enough space for 10 or 12 benches, an organ and six chairs. The church was expanded around 1913-1915, making way for an auditorium that could accommodate 100 persons.

In 1947, Reverend Joseph Gaylor was appointed to the pastoral charge at Bethel A.M.E. Church. One of his first duties as pastor was to find a site to build a new church. Reverend Gaylor along with the trustees found and purchased a lot on Athletic Avenue. On March 31, 1950, the property on St. Paul was sold and later that year the Bethel A.M.E. congregation marched into their new church home at 1314 Athletic Avenue. 

The congregation was understandably proud of their new edifice, there was seating capacity for 250 people, a choir loft, an ample pulpit and a finished basement. In 1961, Bethel was able to burn its mortgage after many years of constant hard work. Although the church’s membership remained small, it grew spiritually and continued to play a useful role in Beloit’s African American community.

In September 1968, Reverend John Reneau, a former Beloiter was appointed to Bethel. He and his wife, Marie, still had many relatives living in Beloit and had maintained close ties with the Beloit community. It was during this time that the Athletic and Broad Streets area was undergoing an Urban Redevelopment program. The church was able to purchase a house and a lot across the street which became the official parsonage for Bethel.

The members of Bethel were known for their community outreach and activities that would interest and benefit the African American community. One of their members, Mrs. Viola Spooner, was instrumental in bringing the renown gospel singer Mahalia Jackson to perform in concert in Beloit. Bethel A.M.E. Church was used by local and state civic organizations and other African American groups.

Bethel A.M.E. has reached its 138th year and continues to be an enduring and vital institution to the African American community and the city of Beloit.