Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church is the Oldest “Black” church in Bloomington. It was formally organized on September 27, 1870 in Bloomington by a group of AME’s who migrated to Bloomington from southern Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee under the direction of Rev. John W. Malong
The church originally met in the former United Presbyterian Church building located on West 6th Street. It wasn’t long before the sixty-four member congregation began looking for a more suitable location due to the fact that the downtown district was rapidly growing and had begun to close in on the church and parsonage.
In 1921 plans were made for building a new church. The old church was sold in 1922 and for the next seven years the congregation with the aid of benevolent friends helped to raise money to pay for the new church. The church had taken out three loans but was having a difficult time paying the debt due to the deep economic depression.
Through her tireless efforts, Ms. Mattie Jacobs Fuller was able to greatly relieve the financial burden of the church. She took her portable organ and became a familiar figure at public gatherings including county fairs, political rallies, at the local circus and on picnic grounds. She also could be found on the square on Saturday afternoons where crowds gathered. She played and sang gospel hymns and spirituals
She raised more than $13,000 and donated every penny to the church. Both her organ and tin cup can still be viewed at the church. The money was used to purchase the current property. In August of 1929, the cornerstone was laid by the Masonic Lodge Russell No. 9 of Mitchell, Indiana with several local quarries donating limestone.
On Sunday, July 29, 1945 $3,515.81 was raised to pay off the remaining balance. On Sunday, August 26th the congregation celebrated by burning the mortgage papers.
Bethel could not have been successful without God being the overseer, the members being the hands to do the work and the pastors being willing shepherds to guide and encourage. Throughout the years of trial, victory has prevailed. The late Rev. Maurice Evans once encouraged the congregation to remain faithful to God. “In our day of triumph and rejoicing we must not lose sight of God who has never failed to guide us. We still have much to do for the building of His Kingdom, and if we put our trust in Him and keep our hands in His, He will guide us on and upward through the ages to come.”
We thank God for bringing us through those difficult days. We remain faithful to the God who has made us victorious in all our endeavors. In Hebrew, the name Bethel means the house of God. This is a place where God has reigned for the last 135 years. God has promised never to leave us so we look forward to what the future will bring to this church on the corner of 7th and Rogers. We cherish each year that God allows us to work in His great vineyard.