The Fourth Church
The demolition of the brick church began on August 7, 1889, and on August 24 ground was broken for the new church at 9:15 a.m. by Bishop Henry McNeil Turner, Reverend C. T. Schafer, pastor, officers, members and many visitors.
The cornerstone of the new church was laid on Thursday, November 7, 1889, at 2 p.m. by Bishop Henry McNeil Turner and Alexander W. Wayman, Pastor C. T. Schaffer, the Presiding Elder, and officers of the church in the presence of a large assembling of the congregation.
The new church was dedicated on Sunday, October 26, 1890 by Bishops Henry McNeil Turner and Daniel A. Payne, the Reverend William H. Heard, Pastor, the Reverend C. T. Schaffer, Presiding Elder, with many ministers and civic leaders present.
Rev. Dr. Richard F. Norris, currently pastor of St. Matthew's A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia and a candidate for Bishop in the church, completed a massive 3.5 million dollar restoration of Mother Bethel in 1991. This work brought the roman revival structure to its original glory.
Mother Bethel is continuing its growth and restoration under the dynamic Godly directed pastorage of Rev. Jeffrey Leath. |
