Church History

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in September 1919 in the home of an “Old French Lady” known as Aunt Cordieu. Sis. Cordieu’s home was located on the corner of Jefferson and East Streets. At this very important meeting the following persons were present:

• Allen Brown

• Nina Wilson

• Henry Haughton

• Lucius Henry

• Pete Jacobs

• Melvin Perault

• Della Beard

• Williams Briscoe

• Evelyn Briscoe

• Ethel Louis

• Beverly Drew

• Lotta Drew

• Ethel Gray

• Henry Johnson

These were dark days because some of the church goers in DeQuincy failed to keep their love for Christ and His church.

This small ban of Christians vowed to put Bethel AME church’s work into action. With the approaching of the Annual Conference in December of 1919, Bishop William Heard sent Rev. Plumer Noble to guide, direct and pastor this dedicated small group. He remained with the church for one year.

 In the year 1920, Rev. Dr. J. G. Evans came to Bethel and under his administration the land where the old church stood was purchased, and a small church was built. Later the parsonage was added.

 As time went on the original church was renovated under Rev. C. E. Young and Rev. W. E. Sloan leadership.

 In the late 1970’s and early 80’s, the vision for a new building took place. Under the leadership of the Rev. Woodrow Williams, the building fund began. Under the leadership of the Rev. David Rigelton, the new building became a reality. However, there were many obstacles that prohibited the ability to achieve the funding support for the building. As Bethel went to banks to apply, they were denied by several, funding was made for available Bethel; but God! As the land that was already purchased wasn’t enough to clear the city ordinances, land was donated the church; but God! The very banks that denied Bethel the loan closed, yet Bethel still stands strong.

 Under the leadership of Rev. Roland Baker (the longest tenured pastor of Bethel), the mortgage was paid in full and the note burning ceremony took place. Rev. Baker also purchased a state-of-the-art sound system and started a tape ministry. It was also under his leadership that the church van was purchased.

 In 2007, the Rev. Margaret Simms had a vision for Bethel to participate in housing for the DeQuincy community. “Bethel Square” was the name of the vision that came into fruition, which was a building purchased across the street from the church that became an apartment building by the end of 2008. Also under Rev. Simms leadership, the Marlin Luther King, Jr. Parade was established. This parade would take place throughout DeQuincy as it has been and is the only MLK parade in the city. Along with this parade, the MLK scholarship was also established, which awards one DeQuincy high school senior with this financial scholarship.

 In 2014, the Rev. Allen Williams, Jr. was assigned to the pastoral charge of Bethel. Under his leadership, Bethel purchased a Hammond organ. The organ dedication took place on February 7, 2016. Also, in the year 2015, as the Bethel MLK program was taking place, Rev. Williams organized and started the DeQuincy Black History program. This program was celebrated by all the Black churches in DeQuincy which included Bethel AME, First Church of God in Christ, Guiding Light Church of God in Christ, Evergreen Baptist, Mt. Zion Baptist, Surehouse ministries and La Salette Catholic Churches. This program also accompanied the MLK scholarship in that it provided another scholarship to a DeQuincy high school student. Rev. Williams also started the Midweek Meditation service on Wednesday evenings, which is done via conference call and Zoom.

In October 2020, Bishop Julius H. McAllister, Sr,. assigned Rev. Valencia D. Jackson, Pastor

Here are the lists of pastors that served at Bethel:

• Rev. Plumer Noble 1919 – 1920

• Rev. Dr. J. G. Evans 1920- 1922

• Rev. Macklen 1922- 1927

• Rev. A. B. Brown 1927 - 1928

• Rev. Garrison Jackson 1928 - 1930

• Rev. Louis   Benson 1930- 1932

• Rev. W. V. Meeks 1932- 1934

• Rev. F. D. Murray 1934- 1936

• Rev. A. B. Brown 1936-1937

• Rev. Louis Benson 1937-1938

• Rev. T. D. Jenkins 1938 -1939

• Rev. Lonnie Wells 1939-1945

• Rev. J. R. Brown 1945-1947

• Rev. C. E. Young 1947-1953

• Rev. W. E. Sloan 1953-1954

• Rev. I. S. Wilson 1954- 1957

• Rev. G. J. Oates 1957 – 1959

• Rev. W. V. Leeks 1959 – 1960

• Rev. Prince Morris 1960- 1960

• Rev. C. R. Steward 1961- 1964

• Rev. I. S. Wilson 1964 – 1971

• Rev. James Keller 1971 – 1982

• Rev. Woodrow Williams 1982 – 1984

• Rev. David Rigelton 1985 – 1988

• Rev. Roland Baker 1988 – 2004

• Rev. Margaret Simms 2004-2010

• Rev. Cynthia Jones 2010 – 2014

• Rev. Allen J. Williams, Jr., 2014 – 2020

• Rev. Valencia D. Jackson 2020 - current

Bethel has been blessed to have outstanding local preachers who served as local elders and as pastors in the interim of the pastor. Those who service will remain as faithful to Bethel are the Rev. George Henry and the Rev. Jack Wilson, whose service was consistent, dutiful, and with a lot of love for their church Bethel. Bethel also has produced great fruit as preachers as well. One of the daughters of Bethel, which is also the daughter of Rev. Jack Wilson, the Rev. Genevia Rankin Beatty, serves currently as an ordained local elder for Bethel. She has been gifted as seen as one of the only female preachers who would have come out of Bethel. Her presence, preaching and productivity in the community makes reminds us that God calls out greatness from within Bethel.

Bethel also has produced one of the pillars of pastors in the Southwest of Louisiana in the person of the Rev. Jesse R. Adams. Rev. Adams pastored Bethel’s sister church, St. Paul in Lake Charles, La., for over 34 years. After his retirement, Rev. Adams served as a superannuate at Bethel until his death.

The original Trustees & Stewards were:

• Lucius Henry

• William Brisco

• Lawrence McCain

• Melvin Perrot

• Edward Chizer

• Albert Robinson

• Beverly Drew

Major current events:

• Church Dedicated under Bishop Donald G. K. Ming in May 1987. Rev. E.D. Williams, Sr., Presiding Elder.  Rev. David Rigelton, Pastor

• Note Burning in 1993 under Bishop Robert Thomas, Presiding Prelate, Rev. David J. Campbell, Jr., Presiding Elder, Rev. Roland Baker, Pastor

•  Bethel Square Apartment Complex purchased in 2007 under Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Presiding Prelate, Rev. Otis S. Lewis, Presiding Elder, Rev. Margaret Simms, Pastor