[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 133 (Friday, August 1, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF NEW BEDFORD, 
                             MASSACHUSETTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2025

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Bethel 
African Methodist Episcopal Church of New Bedford, Massachusetts, as it 
celebrates its 200th anniversary.
  In 1822, at the request of Bishop Richard Allen, founder of the 
African Methodist Episcopal Church, Brother Charles Spicer was sent to 
establish the Bethel AME Church in New Bedford, Massachusetts. There, 
22 free African American men inspired by the Free African Society of 
Philadelphia sought to create a place of worship in the community. 
Under the leadership of Bishop Daniel E. Payne and Reverend Eli Hall, 
these men led the construction of Bethel AME at 318 Kempton Street.
  As the founding church of New England Annual Conference of the First 
Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the New 
Bedford Bethel AME Church quickly became a spiritual and civic 
cornerstone of the Northeast. The church welcomed some of the most 
prominent voices of the abolitionist movement to its pulpit, including 
Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Charles Remond, Frances 
Ellen Watkins, Samual Penneton, and Harriet Tubman.
  Over the years, Bethel AME's congregation included important 
community leaders such as Elizabeth Carter Brooks and Dr. Herbert R. 
Waters, Jr., both of whom made lasting contributions to the City of New 
Bedford's educational and civic life, as well as Sister Elnora 
Williams, Brother William Kydd, Reverend Birdilyn Watson, and Reverend 
Delphina Harrison, who played a key role in supporting the church. 
Additionally, three of Bethel AME's pastors--William S. Brooks, Reverdy 
C. Ransom, and Dougal D. Walker--became bishops of the AME Church.
  As one of the 47 founding congregations of the Inter-Church Council 
of Greater New Bedford, Bethel AME has played a leading role in 
regional collaboration. Today, located at 532 County Street and under 
the leadership of Reverend Dr. Sandra Whitley and Reverand Kenneth 
Whitley, the church remains committed to advancing public health, 
social services, and housing access through initiatives and 
partnerships with the Massachusetts Council of Churches, the 
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Massachusetts 
Alliance for Supportive Housing.
  After postponing celebrations in 2022 due to the pandemic, the Bethel 
African Methodist Episcopal Church will commemorate its 200th 
anniversary on July 27, 2025, bringing together community leaders and 
welcoming the Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District of 
Philadelphia, Bishop Samuel L. Green Sr., to honor of this historic 
milestone.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the 
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of New Bedford, and I ask 
that my colleagues join me in recognizing the church and its 
congregation's dedication to spiritual leadership, civic engagement, 
and advocacy over the last two centuries.

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