In God's Service...
_____The History of God's Bethel_____
Bethel AME Church, Boonton, New Jersey was founded and organized in 1922. Rev. C.H. Hughes was the first pastor, and making his first report to the conference for ten members, reported only eight dollars and fifty cents.
The church was started in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Burns of Holmes Street. As space became a problem, the Board of Deacons of the First Presbyterian Church decided to let the group use its old church building until they could find a permanent place.
In 1933 the congregation rented an old building on Plane Street. This was almost immediately condemned by the town authorities and ordered torn down. The congregation then moved to a building on Mechanic Street, where it remained until 1951.
Rev, M.M. Ward began his pastorate in 1924, and although he stayed at Bethel for just one year, he made a great impression upon the people in demonstrating his leadership qualities. He left Boonton, and later became the Presiding Elder of the Atlantic City, New Brunswick and Newark districts.
Rev. G.E. Saunders was sent to Bethel-Boonton in 1925. He was dedicated to his work and served well. The church continued to grow and progress steadily. Rev. Irons served for the next two years and was succeeded by Rev. D.M. Franklin. Like Rev. Ward, Rev. Franklin was a graduate of Wilberforce University. During his pastorate, the church began to exert profound influence in the community.
Rev. T.E. Hallman was sent to Bethel-Boonton in 1931 and pastored until 1936. Rev. Hallman moved the congregation from the Presbyterian Chapel to an old building on Plane Street owned by the town. When this was condemned, the congregation rented a store building on Mechanic Street. He represented five years of continued progress.
Rev. Hallman was followed by Rev. M.W. Smith. During his stay the church was growing in number and spirit, but finance was becoming a problem. Rev. Smith worked hard and kept the goal of the church before the group.
For the next three years, Bethel was pastored by Rev. W.J. Wright. He made the first step toward building the new church on Division Street by purchasing a site. He also incorporated the organization during his pastorate.
Rev. James Ellis was sent to Bethel in 1941 and was the driving force behind steady progress. He held the first financial rally in 1942 and $500 was raised. The financial strain began to ease and the funds accumulated were used to build a new church. By this time other residents of the community became interested in the work of the Bethel congregation. The ministers of the other Protestant churches offered to help and their congregations raised $700 for the building fund.
By 1945, the flock was ready to build their church. A down payment of $4,700 was paid to a contractor to erect the building. However this proved to be a swindle and the whole down payment was lost.
The spirit of the group was not dampened. The Division Street site was sold for $1700 and the present site on Plane Street was purchased from the town. This is the same site on which the old building stood that was previously used by the church. In 1948 the building was started and by winter 1950, the four walls had been erected and were waiting for the roof. However, the storm of November 1950 blew the walls down and all of the work was lost.
At this time the Lions Club volunteered to help complete the work. Their goal was $3000. The members continued to work hard raising the additional funds until the current edifice was finally completed in 1953. Bethel had to overcome many adversities to complete the work and the current church serves as a lasting monument to the hard work and fine leadership of Rev. J.H. Ellis, the Bethel congregation, as well as the good will and civic spirit of the community at large.
Under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Kevin D. Miller, Bethel grew in its outreach programs. Under the leadership of Dr. Miller, Bethel instituted the outdoor tent worship service, started a food pantry, held a free market, began a weekly worship service at Merry Heart Nursing Home, became active in the Boonton Area Ecumenical Council and many other endeavors. The membership thrived to Gods glory as new ministries were formed to positively impact the Boonton community. Bethel also created its own newsletter, increased its use of technology to spread the message of Christ and established its presence on the internet.
Currently, the Rev. Jameel Morrison serves as the pastor of Gods Bethel. Bethel Church, commonly known as Gods Bethel continues to worship God is spirit and truth. The Bethel family has adopted the following at its theme: "Building on a Solid Foundation".
_____The History of God's Bethel_____
Bethel AME Church, Boonton, New Jersey was founded and organized in 1922. Rev. C.H. Hughes was the first pastor, and making his first report to the conference for ten members, reported only eight dollars and fifty cents.
The church was started in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Burns of Holmes Street. As space became a problem, the Board of Deacons of the First Presbyterian Church decided to let the group use its old church building until they could find a permanent place.
In 1933 the congregation rented an old building on Plane Street. This was almost immediately condemned by the town authorities and ordered torn down. The congregation then moved to a building on Mechanic Street, where it remained until 1951.
Rev, M.M. Ward began his pastorate in 1924, and although he stayed at Bethel for just one year, he made a great impression upon the people in demonstrating his leadership qualities. He left Boonton, and later became the Presiding Elder of the Atlantic City, New Brunswick and Newark districts.
Rev. G.E. Saunders was sent to Bethel-Boonton in 1925. He was dedicated to his work and served well. The church continued to grow and progress steadily. Rev. Irons served for the next two years and was succeeded by Rev. D.M. Franklin. Like Rev. Ward, Rev. Franklin was a graduate of Wilberforce University. During his pastorate, the church began to exert profound influence in the community.
Rev. T.E. Hallman was sent to Bethel-Boonton in 1931 and pastored until 1936. Rev. Hallman moved the congregation from the Presbyterian Chapel to an old building on Plane Street owned by the town. When this was condemned, the congregation rented a store building on Mechanic Street. He represented five years of continued progress.
Rev. Hallman was followed by Rev. M.W. Smith. During his stay the church was growing in number and spirit, but finance was becoming a problem. Rev. Smith worked hard and kept the goal of the church before the group.
For the next three years, Bethel was pastored by Rev. W.J. Wright. He made the first step toward building the new church on Division Street by purchasing a site. He also incorporated the organization during his pastorate.
Rev. James Ellis was sent to Bethel in 1941 and was the driving force behind steady progress. He held the first financial rally in 1942 and $500 was raised. The financial strain began to ease and the funds accumulated were used to build a new church. By this time other residents of the community became interested in the work of the Bethel congregation. The ministers of the other Protestant churches offered to help and their congregations raised $700 for the building fund.
By 1945, the flock was ready to build their church. A down payment of $4,700 was paid to a contractor to erect the building. However this proved to be a swindle and the whole down payment was lost.
The spirit of the group was not dampened. The Division Street site was sold for $1700 and the present site on Plane Street was purchased from the town. This is the same site on which the old building stood that was previously used by the church. In 1948 the building was started and by winter 1950, the four walls had been erected and were waiting for the roof. However, the storm of November 1950 blew the walls down and all of the work was lost.
At this time the Lions Club volunteered to help complete the work. Their goal was $3000. The members continued to work hard raising the additional funds until the current edifice was finally completed in 1953. Bethel had to overcome many adversities to complete the work and the current church serves as a lasting monument to the hard work and fine leadership of Rev. J.H. Ellis, the Bethel congregation, as well as the good will and civic spirit of the community at large.
Under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Kevin D. Miller, Bethel grew in its outreach programs. Under the leadership of Dr. Miller, Bethel instituted the outdoor tent worship service, started a food pantry, held a free market, began a weekly worship service at Merry Heart Nursing Home, became active in the Boonton Area Ecumenical Council and many other endeavors. The membership thrived to Gods glory as new ministries were formed to positively impact the Boonton community. Bethel also created its own newsletter, increased its use of technology to spread the message of Christ and established its presence on the internet.
Currently, the Rev. Jameel Morrison serves as the pastor of Gods Bethel. Bethel Church, commonly known as Gods Bethel continues to worship God is spirit and truth. The Bethel family has adopted the following at its theme: "Building on a Solid Foundation".
"Only God be Glorified"
Bethel Church as it stands today.
Bethel's Pastors through the years
Rev. C. H. Hughes (192224)
Rev. M.M. Ward (2425)
Rev. G. E. Saunders (2526)
Rev. Irons (2628)
Rev. D.M. Franklin (28-31)
Rev. Mitchell (1931)
Rev. T.E. Hollman (3136)
Rev. M.W. Smith (36 38)
Rev. W.J. Wright (3841)
Rev. James H. Ellis (4156)
Rev. V. Brown (5662)
Rev. D. A. Cowart (6265)
Rev. M.L. Evans (6570)
Rev. W.T. Hicks (7072)
Rev. G. A. Fubler (7282)
Rev. Dr.James. E. Deas, Sr. (82-89)
Rev. V. Leak (8993)
Rev. Ruth Stubbs-Jones (9505)
Rev. Dr. Kevin D. Miller (0510)
Rev. Jameel Morrison (2010
Rev. M.M. Ward (2425)
Rev. G. E. Saunders (2526)
Rev. Irons (2628)
Rev. D.M. Franklin (28-31)
Rev. Mitchell (1931)
Rev. T.E. Hollman (3136)
Rev. M.W. Smith (36 38)
Rev. W.J. Wright (3841)
Rev. James H. Ellis (4156)
Rev. V. Brown (5662)
Rev. D. A. Cowart (6265)
Rev. M.L. Evans (6570)
Rev. W.T. Hicks (7072)
Rev. G. A. Fubler (7282)
Rev. Dr.James. E. Deas, Sr. (82-89)
Rev. V. Leak (8993)
Rev. Ruth Stubbs-Jones (9505)
Rev. Dr. Kevin D. Miller (0510)
Rev. Jameel Morrison (2010
