From Bethel AME Church:
On March 20, 2022, during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service, Bethel AME Church of Morristown will dedicate the newly renovated chancel area in memory of Bethel’s former pastor – Rev. Alexander White (1937-1948).
Rev. White also served as the first president of the Morris County Urban League. Blair Schleicher Wilson, chief executive officer of Morris Habitat of Humanity, will be the speaker.
Since its incorporation in 1843, Bethel has been a house of worship and fellowship for thousands of families in Morris County.
An earlier Bethel location on Spring Street was constructed in 1849 and served as the “unofficial” schoolhouse for children of color until it was acquired in 1877 by the Morristown School District.
The present church location has been on the corner of Bishop Nazery Way and Spring Street since 1874. In 1876, the Greater Morristown YMCA purchased the property in a sheriff’s sale and leased it back to Bethel. On July 28, 1943, the property was conveyed to Bethel from the YMCA. The current building was erected in 1971.
When congregations were forced to pivot to online worship services, Senior Pastor Sidney Williams reached out to Morris Habitat for Humanity volunteers to assist Bethel in building a new multi-media center and chancel renovation. These renovations also included a full-scale overhaul of Bethel’s sound system with the goal of increasing congregation engagement, sound clarity, and intelligibility.
Bethel is also planning additional projects to embrace new ways of community engagement now and into the future. These projects have been funded by member donations and the generosity of the community. Donations continue to be sought to help pay for remaining renovations.
Eight in every 10 U.S. churches now provide hybrid services, offering options for congregants to worship either in person or online during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.
Once completed, the sanctuary will become more than a place for worship, weddings, funerals, and baptisms. It will also function as a community center where academic enrichment, concerts, plays and other activities that do not include the sacraments can be accommodated.
The Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams says that the church is committed to honoring the past, while becoming increasingly attentive in addressing the present needs throughout Morris County. Bethel currently offers additional outreach programs throughout Morris County, including The Table of Hope (community food pantry) and SOAR (academic enrichment program).
“We are very excited about this new facility,” added Williams, “It will allow us to expand our ministry, add new programs and activities and to better serve the community.”
Blair Schleicher Wilson, chief executive officer of Morris Habitat of Humanity, stated: “Morris Habitat is pleased to be able to pair up its volunteers with Bethel Church, helping to create a much-needed community center in Morristown.
“Since COVID-19 required us to suspend our volunteer program, we sought out creative ways for volunteers to keep the mission alive in a safe way. Volunteering for Bethel Church helped our faithful volunteers feel engaged and connected.”
I have fond memories of visits to the Bethel AME church in the 1950s. The pastor’s daughter, Jeanette Coleman, was a classmate and friend. The congregation made me feel so welcome. Always wondered where Jeanette is now, would love to get in touch. Married name was Watson I believe.