[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 4, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 4, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
pillar of the community, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal. Bethel AME 
has served as a catalyst for the African American growth in Warren 
County and the State of Mississippi.
  Founded in 1864 by Pastor Page Tyler, a missionary from Indiana, 
Bethel was the first African Methodist Episcopal church in Mississippi. 
It is known as The Mother Congregation of African Methodism in the 
state. Although other black churches have earlier histories, they were 
organized as Methodist Episcopal and later united under the A.M.E. 
religion. Bethel, however, was the first congregation organized by the 
A.M.E. connection in Mississippi and the second in the southern United 
States.
  Bethel has a rich legacy as her members served as pioneers in 
progressing African-American culture greatly forward in the State of 
Mississippi. The first African-American Masonic Lodge in Mississippi 
was organized at Bethel in 1875 by the first Pastor of Bethel, Reverend 
Dr. T.W. Stringer, a freeman from Canada. Adding to her history, in 
1890, Campbell College, the first African-American College in 
Mississippi was established and operated from an adjoining building to 
Bethel. The college moved to Jackson, MS in 1897 and was absorbed by 
Jackson State University.
  In 1992 Bethel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places 
in the United States and the City of Vicksburg captures Bethel's 
historic significance with inclusion of a 19th Century Bethel and 
Congregation on its Riverfront Murals.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Bethel 
African Methodist Episcopal for its rich heritage and dedication to 
serving others and giving back to the community.