Church History
Bethel enjoys a rich and cherished
history. In the year of 1948, a group of worshippers bound together
seeking to feed themselves on the Word of God. They had no particular
name, just seeking the way of holiness. They were Wallace and Nellie
Gibson, Virginia Johnson and her husband. Their initial gathering was in
the home of Wallace Gibson. Later, many other individuals and families
joined in with them, including the Harveys, Taylors, Dorseys, Grahams,
Riggs, and Jones. Due to their current size, a larger meeting place was
necessary. A group consisting of Brother and Sister Alonzo Mackall, and
Charles Harvey purchased the old Huntingtown Elementary School for use
as a community hall for different functions. It was decided that the
mission would meet there. The group
continued to worship God, and studied and prayed together. Since they
had no official ministerial leader, they sought after the appropriate
leadership. Bishop Henry C. Brooks, Pastor of the Way of the Cross
Church, Washington, DC, recognizing their sincerity, assisted them in
this endeavor. Bishop Brooks sent 3 ministers on a rotating basis to
minister at Bethel, which included Elder John Jacob Astor Green among
them. The members were to decide which one they wanted as their Pastor.
As time would show, the members made the wise choice of Elder Green as
their shepherd. Elder Green proceeded to lead the congregation, and on
February 11, 1953, he began his pastoral leadership. In a dream, Sis.
Lancaster received the first 3 letters of the name for the new church,
BET.
God gave to Elder Green the remaining letters--HEL,
to form the church's new name,
BETHEL.
Elder Green moved forward in
faith to organize this small group of worshippers. His goals included
relocating from the community hall to erecting a permanent edifice. Many
individuals and families participated in the prayer meetings and other
services that Bethel began to hold, and they began to grow into a mighty
spiritual congregation. They began to add many new charter members.
Named amongst the first are John Moore, Edmond Simmons, John Lane, James
Dorsey, Wesley Jacks and John Taylor. A later charter update included
Percy Spriggs and Robert Watts. With the help of Bishop Henry C. Brooks
and the saints of the Way of the Cross Church, Washington, DC, they were
able to build their first edifice. Brother and Sister Wallace and Nellie
Gibson played a key role in getting this edifice completed by donating
the land for the church. The edifice was built by the members. It was
small and comfortable. The congregation began to flourish both
spiritually and naturally under the careful tutelage of Elder Green. His
hard work was recognized by the Way of the Cross Churches of Christ,
(then) Incorporated, and they bestowed upon him the office of Bishop in
1970. Now Bishop Green and the saints of Bethel set their sights upon
erecting another new edifice, which could accommodate their current size
and ministry needs. They decided to demolish the first edifice, and
build the new one on the grounds. The groundbreaking for this edifice
took place in 1978. In September of 1979, the Lord blessed us to
dedicate and occupy our current facility. His blessings upon us
continued as we burned the mortgage to this facility 10 years later.
Between the latter part of 1990 and November 1991, more land was cleared
and road cuts were graded, along with other tasks to provide additional
parking facilities for our church. Under Bishop Green, our growth and
prosperity is evident. Our ministry expands at least four generations.
Bethel stands as a pillar of religious, community and social life. In
his ministry's infancy, Bishop Green did not have ministers to labor
with him in the vineyard, nor were there any missionaries or deacons
appointed. God blessed Bishop Green with his first minister, Minister
Robert Watts, now Elder and Pastor of the Mt. Gethsemane Holiness
Church. From that point on the Lord gave him Deacons and Missionaries,
as well as the additions of more ministers: Elder Allen Easton, Elder
Darnell Easton, Elder Wilbert Jones, Elder Carroll Spriggs, Minister
James Butler, and Minister O'Brien Echols. Many choirs and auxiliaries
have since been established. A Junior Deacon's Board was established to
train brothers for the ordained office of Deacon. Some of its first
members are set to be ordained in this July of 2000. Truly the Lord was
with us. In 1994, led of the Lord, Bishop Green appointed Elder Allen
Easton as the Assistant Pastor of Bethel. In 1995, again after seeking
God, Bishop appointed Elder Easton to the office of Co-Pastor, and
placed him over all of Bethel's auxiliaries, choirs, and groups. Bishop Green, having served the Way of the Cross
Churches, International faithfully as a Vice Presiding Bishop, Middle
Atlantic Diocesan, and currently as the Senior Bishop, has seen the work
of the Lord's hand. In February of 1998, Bishop Green retired, having
received direction from the Lord, as the active Pastor of Bethel. He
appointed, in his stead, a man who had been with him 44 of his then 45
years of pastoralship, Elder Allen Easton. Elder Easton assumed the
reigns and has been moving Bethel forward every since. Two more
ministers have been appointed under Elder Easton's leadership, Minister
Charles Hall and Minister Jerome Brooks. Bishop Easton also appointed
Elder Darnell as First Assistant Pastor and Elder Wilbert Jones as
Second Assistant Pastor.
Sadly, but to the glory of God, in 2002
the Lord saw fit to call home Bishop Allen Easton and Mother Arnetta
Green. Then at the end of 2005 he saw fit to call home our other
soldier, Bishop Jacob Green. But to the glory of the church, we were
blessed with Elder Darnell being appointed as Pastor in 2002 and
installed in 2003, and Elder Wilbert Jones moved up to become First
Assistant Pastor and one of Bethel's favorite son's, Elder Charles Hall,
was appointed as Second Assistant Pastor. Minister Kevin Easton was also
added to the Ministerial Staff. The Way of the Cross Church of Christ,
International has since seen fit, in August of 2008, to consecrate Elder
Darnell to the office of Bishop, once again putting Bethel in the
careful hands of a seasoned shepherd. Under Bishop's leadership, since
2003, Bethel has grown in leaps and bounds and has become one of the
largest churches in Calvert County. Continuing the plans of Bishop
Allen, Bishop Darnell is now leading Bethel in its plans to build the
next house of worship, large enough to house the growing ministry's
needs. We invite you to
read his
biography.
You can also view our historical timeline
here. |
"....come thou with us, and we will do thee good." Numbers 10:29