[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E994-E995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE HISTORY OF THE BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2014

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the history of 
the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. As told by the church 
itself:

       ``Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, under 
     the leadership of Pastor Godfrey R. Patterson who joined in 
     fall 2013, is one of the first African American congregations 
     in the Sacramento Valley in the state of California, and 
     until 1946, Bethel A.M.E. Church was the only African 
     American congregation in Yuba County, California. The Church 
     was organized in 1854, in a home located on California Alley, 
     between Sixth and Seventh Streets, and the address was later 
     changed to 113 Fifth Street--Marysville, California. The 
     Reverend D.P. Stokes was the organizing Pastor, and the first 
     Trustees were: G.A. Cantine, D.W. Sands, and Samuel Rinzel.
       The physical building of the church was built in 1863, next 
     door to the home which became the parsonage, and the deed for 
     the land was made to the Trustees at that time: Mr. J. 
     Watkins; P. Churchill; P. Powers; S.W. Williams; Charles 
     Bush; B. Brooks; and J.C. Cork. During the 1864-1865 A.M.E. 
     Church Annual Conference, held at Bethel A.M.E. Church in San 
     Francisco, California, Bethel A.M.E. church was recognized 
     and received into the A.M.E. Church connection; the 
     congregation consisted of twenty-three (23) members.
       On July 2, 1921, the church was destroyed by fire along 
     with most of the lower parts of Marysville. The physical 
     structure of the church was rebuilt in the same location of 
     which it stands today at 115 Fifth Street.
       The early Pastors, from 1857 to 1879, were circuit 
     ministers. Many Pastors followed from 1880 to 1970; and in 
     1970, Reverend Winn, assisted by the ``Men'' of Bethel, 
     personally remodeled the physical building, and paneled walls 
     in the downstairs kitchen area, as well as remodeled the 
     parsonage. Also, very instrumental in the renovation was the 
     late Waymon Sales, a doer of the Word.
       Reverend Charles DeWitt followed reverend Winn, and was 
     followed by Rev. Joseph Forbes who initiated and directed 
     many education and community service projects always in the 
     best interest of both, the Church and the Community.
       Pastors of more recent history are: Reverend E.D. Farris 
     (1978-1980); Norris Williams (1980-1985). Reverend LaGrant 
     Moore, now a Presiding elder in the Southern California 
     Conference of the 5th Episcopal district, served from 1985-
     1987; followed by reverend Percy Leaks (1987).
       In 1987, reverend Willie L. Adams was appointed and served 
     until 1992; under his administration, the physical structure 
     of Bethel A.M.E. Church took on a new look; the old parsonage 
     was demolished, and the sanctuary and pulpit areas were 
     enlarged; the upstairs area was reconstructed into a balcony; 
     This construction was made possible through the hard work of 
     ``Buckley Construction'' and several members of the 
     congregation.
       Reverend David Reginald Allen, Sr. served from 1992 to 
     1994; and Reverend David Wayne Coston, Sr. served from 1994 
     to 1999. In 1999, reverend Dante L. Rome was appointed to 
     Bethel, and served until April 2007; in July 2004, under the 
     leadership of Rev. Rome, an additional 20 feet was added to 
     the north end of the building, along with a beautiful 
     ``stained-glass'' window displaying the A.M.E. Church 
     Denomination's symbol of the ``cross with the Anvil'' 
     depicting the initial pulpit used by our founder, Richard 
     Allen, in a blacksmith shop. Also a baptismal pool was added, 
     and the kitchen and downstairs restrooms were remodeled.
       Pastor, Reverend Freda Cash was the first female Pastor who 
     was appointed to the Bethel A.M.E. Church at the Fifth 
     District's Mid-Year Conference in April 2007. Under her 
     leadership a new front entrance was constructed in June 2008. 
     Windows forming a cross on two sides of the structure have 
     engraved on each glass block names of members of the 
     congregation, and family members who have been called from 
     ``labor to reward.'' The new entrance way has been dedicated 
     in honor of a faithful servant, Brother Murphy Buckley.
       Also, under Reverend Cash's administration, an 
     ``evangelism'' team, under the direction of our assistant 
     minister, Rev. Joyce Gardner and Steward, Bro. Paul 
     Lethridge, has been established. Once a month this team 
     reaches out into the community at the Veteran's Park on 5th 
     Street in Marysville, feeding physically and spiritually. 
     And, under the direction of our Evangelist, Terry Hammonds; a 
     homeless ministry that assisted persons in the 
     ``Riverbottom'' with food, clothing, and other items that 
     assist them during the winter months, has been established.
       Lastly, but not least, from the reactivation of our 7:30 
     a.m. morning ``Worship and Testimony'' service, the ``Early 
     Morning Disciples Alliance'' (EMDA) has been established. 
     This group of ``early risers'' has assisted the church 
     greatly with community outreach activities that bring 
     churches of different denominations together for worship and 
     fellowship.''

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