And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Bethel Baptist Church was organized in the year 1918 as a Mission, and services were held in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Tammy Turner.  During this time, the “Willing Workers” raised $25.00 for the payment on the property at 724 Harrison Avenue.

Rev. Jessie Walden, a former World War I Chaplain, served as Pastor.  Under his leadership, the church was named “Bethel Baptist Church.”  Some ministers serving shortly after the church was founded were Rev. Tillus, Rev. Jackson, Rev. Barksdale, Rev. Butler and Rev. Davis.

Rev. I.S. Strong was the minister in 1936.  The membership of twenty-eight grew and there were many accomplishments, such as inside plumbing and new pews.  There were also four young      ministers licensed:  Rev. E.H.E. Gilbert, Rev. Joe Dawson, Rev. B. J. Daniels and Rev. Harvey Turner.

After Rev. Strong, the church called Rev. Marvin T. Robinson.  During the four years he served, the church purchased property on 15th Avenue overlooking Blackhawk Park.  Next, the church called Rev. N. B. Russey, who served for five years.  Under Rev. Russey’s ministry, the Bethel   Baptist Church began its present structure.  A radio broadcast was given Sunday nights to benefit shut-ins.  A great part of the carpentry was done by Rev. N. B. Russey.

Rev. E. Beverly Allen came to Bethel in August of 1953, with the aim of completing the structure of this great church.  This goal was accomplished by organizing the entire Bethel congregation.  Many members made individual loans ranging from $25.00 to $350.00.  Bro. and Sis. Ernest L. Collins and Bro. and Sis. Allen Powell volunteered their homes.  The building process began in   October 1953, and on Christmas morning 1953, the Bethel Baptist Church was completed and the entire membership proudly marched into the upper auditorium, with a beautiful candle lighting service.

The church increased in membership, auxiliaries and financial resources.  Rev. Leonard Curry was licensed (and later ordained) to preach the gospel.  New pulpit furniture was purchased; a $2000.00 Hammond Organ was installed.  Bethel Baptist Church began a weekly broadcast each Sunday on W.R.O.K., in March 1955.  The church also celebrated its 35th anniversary that year.  In 1956, Bethel was host to the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, truly a historical event.  Rev. Allen now had assistance from Rev. Willie Jarrett and Rev. R. L. Hambie.

Rev. L. W. Seward was called after Rev. Allen resigned.  Under Rev. Seward’s leadership, the membership tripled (approx. 270).  The 15th Avenue property was sold and a down payment was made on the property at 1231 Banks Street, it was to become the church parsonage. 

Six persons were called to the ministry: Bro. Daniel Flanagan, Bro. Charles Moore, Bro. James Alexander, Bro. Samuel Brown, Bro. Robert Jones and Bro. Coruthus Charles.  The Matrons and the Young Adult Department were organized.  The Lord did great things for Bethel through Rev. Seward’s ministry.  After Rev. Seward’s retirement, two lots were purchased for parking and the mortgage on the parsonage was paid off.  Soon thereafter, Bethel was to elect its twelfth pastor in the sixty year history of the church.  On June 25, 1978, Rev. Clarence James was elected.

The church then called Rev. Derwood O’Brien Hunter on June 8, 1979.  He consolidated the missionary groups into a centralized mission.  The pastor’s study was moved next door and the church also purchased a new van.  He served for five and a half years and proved to be a preacher of the gospel and a teacher of the Word.  Two brethren were called to the ministry, Rev.          Nathaniel Clanton and Rev. Leroy Mitchell.  After the resignation of Rev. Hunter, Rev. Coruthus Charles was elected interim pastor.

Rev. Andrew J. Latchison Jr. was installed on June 30, 1985.  He proved himself to be a dynamic speaker and a man with a vision.  The membership increased tremendously.  The youth church was organized.  Bethel made history in the Trustee Department.  The first female trustees were Paulette Saunders and Jenesa Oden.  The world renown recording artist, Al Green, was   featured in a special concert at Bethel, and a grand musical featuring the Winans, the Clark Sisters along with the Joe Price singers, Ruth Latchison both of St. Louis and local talent, was held at the Metro Centre.  Both events were the talk of the town.

A church minibus was purchased.  Property east of the church off Short Fourth Street was also purchased.  Four brethren were called to the ministry:  Bro. Lattimore Pearson, Bro. Robert Hearns, Bro. Anthony Horton and Bro. James E. Smith.  Rev. Coruthus Charles and Rev. Leroy Mitchell were ordained in the ministry.  On October 30, 1988, Rev. James E. Smith was also  ordained by Rev. Latchison.

After Rev. Latchison’s departure, Min. James E. Smith was elected interim pastor.  On April 5, 1991, the church called Pastor Lemuel E. McCall from Memphis, Tennessee.

Installation services were held June 2, 1991.  New plans, new look, new piano, rebuilt Hammond Organ, new P.A. System, new Clavanova were just some of his accomplishments.  Minister Elijah Cooper and Minister Anderson Barbary were divinely called to the ministry    under Pastor McCall’s leadership.  Minister Thomas Salter, along with our Deacons Board, was guided by the Holy Spirit in leading the church to keep the faith and stay in the Word.  Bethel was without a Pastor for approximately one year.

Pastor Kerry L. Newburn was called to Pastor Bethel, May 26, 1993.  Ready for the task that so graciously awaited him, believing that the Lord God appointed him to lead Bethel, Pastor Newburn began his work.  We are grateful for a dedicated leader.  We pledged to be faithful   followers.

Under Pastor Newburn’s leadership, Bethel has received many new members and reinstatements.  Since Pastor’s Newburn’s tenure at Bethel, he has organized Wednesday night Christian development classes, referred to as the “Circle Ministry”.  He also formed the “New Lease on Life Ministry” (an all addiction ministry).  Other accomplishments include the installation of a handicap access elevator and restroom, kitchen renovation, improvements to the church office, including purchase of computers, fax machine, Risograph print station, purchase of a fifteen   passenger van, church interior painted, new pews, carpeting and drapes and windows installed in the sanctuary.  We also paid off the shuttle bus, property, and purchased the Chiles Catering building.

Under Pastor Newburn leadership, Bethel Baptist Church broke ground for the Bethel  Family Life Center on August 30, 1998 and on Wednesday, May 31, 2000, Pastor Newburn along with Mayor Charles Box and other city of Rockford dignitaries conducted a ribbon    cutting ceremony to officially open the Bethel Family Life Center.

Pastor Newburn ordained as Deacons, Bro. William Blankenship, Bro. Michael White, Bro. George Mimms, Bro. David Anderson, Bro. Terry Cazy, Bro. James Chatman, Bro. Justin Cavitt, Bro. Michael Smith, Bro. Sam Simmons, Jr., Bro. Donnie Blount, Jr. and Bro. Warren Reed.

Under Pastor Newburn’s administration, Bro. Elbert Holliman, Bro. Chris Bays, Bro.    Timothy Newburn, Bro. Loren Young, Bro. Devolis Newburn, Bro. Bryan Gatlin, Bro. Dustin McGowan, Bro. David Anderson, Bro. Ronald Mitchell, Jr., Bro. Lamar Blankenship, Bro. Leandre Harmon, Bro. Clifford Webb and Bro. Carl Hanserd were licensed to preach the    gospel.  Min. Robert L. Hearns, Jr., Min. Anderson Barbary, Min. Patrick Coleman, Min. Bryan Gatlin and Min. Elton Allen were all ordained. 

Much has been accomplished these last few years and with the help of the Lord God

Almighty, we can do greater works.

“God is Good all the time, and all the time God is Good!”