Greater New Bethlehem AME Church, Parkers Ferry, South Carolina

CHURCH HISTORY

            Bethlehem AME Church was organized in 1870 on Wiltown Bluff. After workers moved off of the Plantation and bought their own land, a bush tent was moved to Cliffton Bluff, where they served until Bethlehem AME Church was built.

            In 1872, Bethlehem AME Church joined the Edisto District Conference with the Rev. Andrew Boston serving as Presiding Elder of the Wiltown Circuit on Parkers Ferry Road. The Rev. Lester Flood was the minister. Ministers who have served at Bethlehem were Rev. Adam Deas, Rev. Ladson, Rev. G.W. Laxter (1942), Rev. D.S. Chisolm (1930), Rev. Smalls (1935), Rev. Turner (1938), Rev. A.A. Washington (1942), Rev. Freeman (1947), Rev. Nero (1952) and Rev. Wilson (1953).

            In July 1953, The Rev. Matthew Brown became Pastor of Bethlehem AME Church. Rev. Brown's main concern was to repair the church or to build a new church in the community. He met with the members of the church and they all agreed to purchase a portion of land and to build the new church. On April 19, 1959 the membership was divided into five groups and a rally was started. From 1959-1962, $1,800.00 was raised. One acre of land located on Parkers Ferry Road, owned by Ella Drayton, was sold to the church by her daughter, Ms. Edith Cooper for $400.00--leaving the amount of $1,400.00 to start building the church.

            On August 19, 1962 the Ground Breaking Ceremony was held. Ministers from the Edisto District and various churches, including officers and members of the church were in attendance to witness this event. The Rev. Herbert Blake brought the message. His subject was, "I'll Do My Best; My Very Best". In May of 1962, the new church was started. It took approximately twenty-eight (28) months for completion, which is now New Bethlehem AME Church.

            In September of 1964, the congregation marched in singing, "We Are Marching Up To Zion", which was the first order of service. The message was brought by Rev. A.D. Drayton. From that date, through the great leadership of Rev. Matthew Brown and his assistant, Rev. Robert Chisolm, we expanded our church to seat a capacity of 400 members. Rev. Matthew Brown served the Wiltown Circuit at New Bethlehem AME Church for thirty-two (32) years.

            In November of 1985, the South Carolina Annual Conference appointed Rev. Walter Jones to serve the Wiltown Circuit. A tragedy struck our community on January 10, 1986. New Bethlehem AME Church was completely destroyed by fire. Rev. Walter Jones and the members began worshipping at Greater St. Mark AME Church. The Right Rev. Frederick C. James, Presiding Bishop and Rev. Z.L. Grady, Presiding Elder, joined the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, Mr. McDaniel and we began to work. A Love Fund was established at the Citizens and Southern Bank and donations  were received from various churches, citizens and communities, etc.

            On Sunday, June 19, 1988, the members moved into Greater New Bethlehem AME Church. The message was brought by Rev. Walter Jones. His subject was "The People Had A Mind To Work". On July 31, 1988, the cornerstone was laid by Ashley River Lodge No. 482-Prince Hall. The message was brought by Rev. Z.L. Grady. Rev. Walter Jones and the members continued to labor in serving God and building the church. The Edisto District held the Christian Education Convention at our church on June 29-30, 1989 and also on July 19-20, 1996.

            In October of 1996, our mortgage was paid in full. Because the members had a mind to work, we celebrated our mortgage burning on Sunday, February 13, 1997.  Also under Jones' leadership, the membership purchased an organ, had a mural painted on the wall, purchased a church van, bricked in the church and renovated the roof. Rev. Walter Jones served as Pastor of Greater New Bethlehem for 19 years until retirement in 2004.

            In October of 2004, The South Carolina Annual Conference appointed and God anointed the Rev. James Eric Nelson to serve as Pastor of "The Greatest Church in South Carolina"----Greater New Bethlehem AME Church. Under Pastor Nelson's leadership, the members have purchased an organ, purchased a church van, furnished the printing room, equipped and upgraded our finance office, installed ceiling fans, paved the parking lot, installed a speaker system, purchased a marquise and drum set, repainted the church's exterior and interior, installed a steeple, installed an audio-video room, renovated the church and Fellowship Hall and furnished our computer room.

            God has truly blessed our church and our Pastors--past and present--as we continue in our Missionary journey to do what God has assigned our hands to do. We will always strive to be "The Church That Makes A Difference".