Greater Bethel AME Church
Charlotte NC

MISSION STATEMENT:

Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church is a congregation of Spirit-filled Christians who worship God and win souls to Christ by preaching the Gospel, teaching and studying the scriptures, fellowshipping and serving in ministries. We are committed to ministering to the spiritual, mental, physical, emotional, and economic needs of the whole person.

OUR CHURCH MOTTO:

Free In The Spirit: "We know the Word, Speak the Word, Live the Word and Spread the Word."

AME CHURCH MOTTO:

God our Father, Christ our Redeemer; Holy Spirit our Comforter; Humankind our Family

During the last twelve months, Greater Bethel has experienced a phenomenal growth in membership, surpassing its average annual growth. But more importantly, the spiritual growth of its membership has been accomplished through the members’ increased attendance at Bible Study and continued emphasis on Sunday School. Under the leadership of Pastor Morris Reddon, Jr., Greater Bethel has achieved many accomplishments and his leadership has set the stage for continued growth. But most importantly, Pastor Reddon relishes the spiritual growth of the church’s membership, which is attributed to his love and desires to “preach and teach”, the gift with which God has truly blessed him. Pastor Reddon is an anointed Man of God.

 

http://www.gbame.org/  

 

Christian Education - Sis. LaTarah Coney, Director

Christmas Group - Sis. Hattie J. Conwell, Chairperson

Church School - Sis. Boneita Page, Superintendent

The Equippers - Sis. Brenda Slade, President

L.O.V.E. Marriage Ministry - Rev. & Sis. Harry Hager, Leaders

Men's Empowerment Fellowship - Bro. Andrew Henry-Kennon, President

Music Ministry - Rev. Bob Evans, Minister of Music

Richard Allen Young Adult Council (RAYAC) - Dr. Vernessa Bowles, President

Women's Fellowship - Rev. Gloria Reddon, Organizer

Young at Heart Seniors - Bro. Howard Gaston, Director

Young People's Department (YPD) - Sis. Mary Alyce Smith, Director

Youth Basketball - Bro. Brian Mclammy, Bro. Zachary Kemp, & Bro. Darius Lloyd, Coaches

Youth Women's Initiative - Sis. LaTarah Coney, Chairperson  

Our History

Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

In 1897, 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. In 1901, 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. In 1969, 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. In 1970, 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. In June 1980, 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. In July 1985, 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. In May 1989, 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.

In 1997, 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.

In 1998, 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. Other Pastors who led the congregation through the years were: Rev. Pearson, Rev. Cleland, Rev. Avery, Rev. Morrison, Rev. Marsh, Rev. A. J. Mattison, Rev. H. B. Thompson, Rev. H. Lucas, Rev. S. C. Thompkins, Rev. P. O. James and Rev. Wylie Williams.

In 2007, 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”. Under his direction, the members have rallied together to reorganize the Girl and Boy Scouts, revive the building fund, revamp the Hospitality/Greeter Committee and increase participation in the outreach ministry, all demonstrating that his primary focus is on Kingdom Building.

Rev. Morris Reddon, Jr. as Pastor of Greater Bethel, was supported in God’s work by the first lady of the church Rev. Gloria Reddon, a powerful preaching woman of God; Bishop Vernon Byrd (Ret.) who has gone on to glory; Presiding Elder Thomas Clark (Ret.) and the members of the Ministerial Staff. 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. Through dynamic preaching and anointed teaching, Rev. Reddon did not let the spirits of the members wane. Instead, he kept the congregation focused on soul saving and kingdom building. 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.

Seeking God’s path to a church home, the Trustee Board members prayed and searched the city of Charlotte for property to build a church and for an existing facility that would meet the needs of the congregation and the ministries of the church. Sis. Elizabeth Carrothers of Greater Bethel informed the congregation that a church building would be available for sale. Rev. Reddon, along with Trustee Pro Tem, Bro. Robert Roberts and Steward Pro Tem, Bro. Matthew Holland, met with officers of Grace Baptist Church regarding the sale. In October 2008, the leadership of Greater Bethel began the negotiations for the purchase of Grace Baptist Church located at 5232 The Plaza. The sale was approved by both congregations and the A.M.E. Church hierarchy and the purchase finalized on January 26, 2009 with the official “closing” on the $2.5 million property one year after the move from Grandin Road.

On Sunday, February 1, 2009, 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.