Rev. Charles Stewart, accompanied by his son, Alfred, left New York on December 1, 1851 on board the steamship Brother Jonathan; arriving at the town of Crucis on the Isthmus on December 18th, remaining there until January 14, 1852. Leaving there, he went to Panama and secured passage on the steamer Republic, arriving in San Francisco on February 11, 1852.

On board the Republic, Rev. Stewart met Edward Gomez whose acquaintance he had formed at St. Thomas, WI

Mr. Gomez kept a boarding house in San Francisco and on disembarking, Rev. Stewart and his son went to his home.

The Sabbath following the arrival of Rev. Stewart prayer-meeting was held in the home of Mr. Gomez; among those present were four young men from Washington - James Wilkerson, Henry Butler, James Barton and Henry Lewis, who were described as "pure salt in an affected place."

On Tuesday, February 16, at noon a meeting was held in the room of the young men; after a season of prayer they communed together for two hours considering the spiritual conditions surrounding them.

In their prayers they entreated God to direct them in what they should do. Each of them went out seeking a place wherein worship could be held.

A vacant house was found for a rental of $45 per month.

Having paid a month's rent in advance, the owner (who was a carpenter) was engaged to build a pulpit and sixteen benches at a cost of $100.

On February 22, 1852, the Rev. George Taylor of Boston, Mass., dedicated the African Methodist Episcopal Meeting House, the Pioneer Meeting House for Negroes in San Francisco.

March 1 there arrived from England Rev. Joseph Thompson who had been ordained by the Wesleyan Methodists; after some discussion he was engaged to serve as minister.

Against the advice of Rev. Stewart, he received four persons and renewed their local preacher's license.

One of them he appointed treasurer. When the rent became due, the treasurer stated he had given it to Rev. John Moore who had preached for them the Sunday before, to defray his expenses on his trip to Sacramento on Monday, March 22, 1852.

Not being able to pay the rent, the landlord demanded and received the keys to the meeting house.

Rev. Thompson, in his distress, called on Rev. Stewart for advice. "Let us seek counsel of God," was his answer.

A lawyer was secured to draw up Articles of Incorporation for an African M. E. Church and such other papers as he deemed necessary. The lawyer advised taking the papers to the mayor for his signature and for the seal of the city. Aside from freely signing his papers, the mayor promised $100 when he was ready to build.

On April 29 Rev. Thompson left for Sacramento to see the Governor; there he met Rev. Barney Fletcher and stopped at his home. Sunday he preached for them and at the evening service they gave him a collection of $50.

Monday he waited on Gov. Calhoun who graciously received him, signed his papers, gave him $100 in gold and directed him to several places where he would obtain further assistance.

Adams Express Co. and the Townsend Banking House each contributed $100. On returning to San Francisco he brought $350.

At home he met with equal success. The Townsend Banking House and Adams Express Co. each contributed $100; Mr. Argenti $200; Lawyer Aldridge $50, and building material sufficient to put up a house.
Having leased from the Presbyterian Church a lot on Stockton St., a contract was made to pay a workman $900 for the completion of the building.

The church was finished in due time and on August 1, 1852 was dedicated by Rev. George Taylor who had dedicated their first meeting house February 22, 1852.

Shortly afterward, on August 14, Rev. Stewart left for his home in the East. Up to this time, not having a church of their own, a number of the members of the Zion Church had joined with the A.M.E. members in their services. Shortly after the departure of Rev. Stewart, an elder of the Zion connection arrived. The Zion members received him as their pastor.

The A.M.E. members were told by the Pastor that they had no part in it; he said, "We are the Zion Church," and ordered them to leave. Due to ignorance of their discipline and having no one to lead them in the fight for their rights, the A.M.E. members took their departure. H.M. Collins, a member of the A.M.E. Church, offered to build a church for $5,000. His offer was accepted.

The building was erected on the corner of Jackson and Stone Streets and was completed and furnished in 1853. It was named the St. Cyprian A.M.E. Church.

Then ensued a period which was described as one of fighting, without as well as within.

Rev. T. M. D. Ward had been sent out by the Indiana Conference in 1854 as Missionary Elder. Notwithstanding the difficulties which had arisen, loyal members and friends had been contributing funds which they thought sufficient to pay off half of the indebtedness.

The secretary of the church went East in 1855 and died on his way back.

The holder of the note for $5,000 claimed the full amount was due. No records could be found showing any payments had been made. A lawsuit ensued which was lost by the church. Dissatisfied with the conditions at St. Cyprian, in September 1856, 22 members left the church (seven remaining) purchased a carpenter shop on Scott Street and fitted it up as a church, naming it Pilgrim A.M.E. Church.

The Lord blessed the efforts of the little band and after five years of worship in a carpenter shop, in 1861 they were able to purchase from the Grace Episcopal Church for $5,500, a church at 1207 Powell Street. The church contained a fine organ, hand-pumped. Sunday you could get your exercise forcing the handle of the bellows up and down to get air to the pipes, while the strains of the music of "Am I a Soldier of the Cross," rang through the church.

On Sundays, the bell in the tower pealed out, inviting all to come and worship. Many of the members lived within hearing distance.

The name was again changed, this time to Union Bethel A.M.E. Church, and it was dedicated on August 10, 1862.

During the pastorate of Rev. T. M. D. Ward in 1863 the indebtedness was paid. A new debt of $4,000 for alterations was created in 1864.

The Ministers who had been in charge of Bethel from its organization in 1852 until 1888 were Reverends T. M. D. Ward, J. B. Sanderson, W.H. Offer, John R. V. Zimmerman, R. Seymour, R. L. Beal. These thirty-six years may be called "pioneer years"; and those who served successfully had to be men of courage and great faith, for the trials and difficulties encountered were many. During that period the membership varied: in 1857 it was 39; 1863 - 92; 1869 - 111; 1872 - 61; 1877 - 103; 1878 - 70; 1880 - 99; 1884 - 66; 1888 - 52.

Rev. John Pointer was the first Minister ordained and licensed in the California Conference. He was appointed to Union Bethel in 1887, the church having a membership of less than fifty. The church was in a critical condition, with a mortgage debt of $1900 which had been standing for twenty-three years, in addition to a floating debt of $400. A former pastor held a note for $400, which with interest amounted to $600. Although his first charge, Rev. Pointer rallied his members and they paid the floating indebtedness and $500 on the mortgage.

1890 - Rev. Obadiah Summers, a veteran of the Civil War, was appointed to Bethel. During the time he was in charge, he was appointed Chaplain in the State Assembly. He attended the General Conference in 1892 taking with him the ashes of a burned mortgage that had been on the church for over 26 years.

1892 - Rev. D.R. Jones was appointed. He was called the "Boy Preacher." Unfortunately, the previous year he had been called to preside at a church trial of some of the trustees, and for that reason met with opposition that hindered the success of his pastorate.

1893 - Rev E. T. Cottonman was successful in building a new church in 1894. The old building which was purchased in 1861 was torn down and part of the material used in the new church. The bell from the old church was installed, and continued to peal out its call to worship. A new mortgage was placed to finance reconstruction. A mission Sunday School was established at the Presidio for the children of the families of soldiers serving in the Spanish-American War.

1899 - Rev. Floyd Grant Snelson, who had served as a Missionary in Africa, was appointed. He was aggressive in affairs affecting the community at large, by having notices published in the daily papers and visiting other churches. One of the rallies was featured by having two large memorial tablets containing the names of the deceased members placed on the wall of the church.

1904 - Dr. A.A. Burleigh, a veteran of the Civil War was placed in charge. To prevent foreclosure of a mortgage of $6,210.70, it was necessary to raise $2,000 in order to refinance the loan. Within a year the mortgage indebtedness was reduced to $3,000.

1906 - The church had no sooner succeeded in getting its finances adjusted than the greatest catastrophe of all came, when the fire following the earthquake of April 18, 1906 destroyed the building. During the night of April 18 the church was opened to permit those fleeing from the burned to sleep there. Many availed themselves of the opportunity; the following morning at about seven o'clock, the last Prayer Meeting was held in the building; those present were Rev. Burleigh, Attorney Scott and J. H. Fisher.

The building was destroyed the afternoon of the same day, April 19, 1906. Although the congregation was stunned by the disaster which had overtaken them, immediate steps were taken to construct a temporary building. Work was started about June 12 on a building 24 ft by 53 ft, built with cheap, unfinished lumber; the total cost of the building was $339.55. It was one of the first buildings erected in the burned area; it stood alone amidst the ashes and ruins of hundreds of homes.

The opening service, conducted by Rev. Burleigh, was held July 15, 1906. Forty-six members were present.

1912 - Rev. J.H. Wilson, who was Presiding Elder at the time the church was destroyed in 1906 was appointed for the job of rebuilding Bethel. At the General Conference of 1912 a resolution was passed to give $10,000 for the rebuilding of Bethel. With this assurance, plans were made to rebuild and a contract was made for a building complete with pews to cost not more than $10,000. The cornerstone was laid June 5, 1913, the Masonic Order conducting the services. $1,500 was received from the Church Extension Society. A mortgage was placed with the Hibernia Bank for $6,000. The membership reported at this time was 73.

1920 - Rev. Goolsby. The beautiful memorial window depicting Christ in the garden and was located in the wall in back of the pulpit, was given by the Martha Ann Wilson Club as a memorial to a deceased member after whom the Club was named.

1922 - Rev. J. M, Brown served one year, but during that time paid the balance due on the mortgage placed on the church in 1914. In civic affairs he was instrumental in organizing the N.A.A.C.P. in San Francisco.

1923 - Rev. G.L. Cooper was not in the best of health and after a few months, he was called to rest. At a Church Conference, it was decided to carry on until the Annual Conference without a Pastor, and to take care of the Widow and her children until that time. The services of Rev. Allen Q. Newman were secured to preach and Mrs. Mamie Morris, Mrs. L.E. Congo and J. H. Fisher were elected to take care of matters that might arise between Board Meetings.

1924 - During the administration of Rev. A. R. Dobbins another pipe organ was purchased at a cost of $3,500 and most of the amount paid.

1927 - Rev. Nelson Pryor inaugurated the envelope system for collecting finances.

1929 - Rev. Fred A. Hughes served Bethel for six years, which was longer than any other pastor up to that time.

1935 - After attending an official Board Meeting on Monday, October 21, the members found Rev. J. E. Flutcher sitting on a chair in the parsonage. After he had finished his work on Sunday, his Father called him to rest. Rev. X. C. Runyon was appointed to serve the unexpired term; was reappointed to Bethel and served five years.

1940 - Rev. Jessie L. Boyd tried to establish a closer affiliation between our Churches in the Bay Area and succeeded in having the pastors join in union quarterly meetings which were successful for a while but were finally discontinued. At a Church Conference a resolution was passed to purchase a lot in the Western Addition and a building committee was elected and $281 was raised. The committee served until the final payment was made on our present church property.

1942 - Rev. C.D. Toliver was appointed. The church at 1207 Powell Street, where it had been for over 80 years, was in a location remote from the homes of our members. A Church Conference was called for presenting to the members a proposition to sell our church building and purchase one in a more desirable location. A resolution was passed instructing the trustees to take the necessary action to secure a more desirable location. The church was moved to 916 Laguna Street on January 21,1945 and on July 22, 1945 the mortgage on the church was burned. Union Bethel became Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. A parsonage was purchased at a cost of $11,000. Membership in 1942 - 233; in 1945 - 750.

1946 - Rev. M. R. Dixon introduced a financial budget system which would do much to solve the church's financial problems. During his administration, the parsonage purchase in 1945 was sold and one more suitable for current needs was purchased at a cost of $14,000.

1949 - Rev. C. Wayne Love was appointed and was the "Centennial Pastor." He was active in civic and religious community affairs. He was elected Vice President of the Nevada-Northern California Council of Churches. Under his leadership the church was well organized with fifty-four Class Leaders, thirty organizations and auxiliaries, three Usher Boards and three Choral Groups. Membership in 1952 - 1,200.

During the period 1968-1972, under the administration of Rev. J. Austell Hall, a new sanctuary and an education building were erected. The church also began its expansion in the Western Addition through the sponsorship of a federally funded housing unit, Freedom West, which adjoins the church property. Under Rev. Hall, plans were made to build a 109-unit senior housing building, Fellowship Manor.

The construction of Fellowship Manor was completed under the direction of Rev. Howard S. Gloyd.

Rev. Cecil Whitney Howard was assigned to Bethel in September 1988. He brought with him a steadfast belief that, with God's help, all things are possible. During his tenure of four years, Bethel continued its dedication to involve all age groups in all aspects of church life, to administer effectively to the community at large, and above all, to bring souls to Christ. Under his leadership the last mortgage on the church was burned.

The present pastor, Rev. "J" Edgar Boyd, was assigned to Bethel in October 1992. He brought with him an untiring commitment to ministry aimed toward the whole person. Rev. Boyd's belief is that a simple and consistent approach geared toward economic development will bring healing to many of the community problems and social ills which plague the lives of those whom we seek to serve. Current Bethel membership is estimated at 1,000 persons. Since his arrival, Bethel has initiated several programs and efforts aimed at that practical approach. Among those programs are: The Endowment Fund, The Allen Investment Club, The Allen Community Development Corporation, Opportunities Unlimited - a job training and placement organization, and a collaborative involvement aimed at encouraging development among our young people called Young African American Achievers Project. Lack of housing, particularly affordable housing, is a critical problem throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Many of Bethel's members have had to relocate out of the commutable region because of the housing crisis. Through the aggressive advocacy, foresight and business acumen of Rev. Boyd, Bethel has expanded its housing ministry to include the purchase of 3 low income apartment complexes within the Western Addition neighborhood totaling 250 units valued at over $20,000,000. He has also received a mayoral appointment to the San Francisco Housing Commission. Once again, as in 1906, Bethel has opened its doors and reached out to the community by providing nighttime shelter to homeless men. Rev. Boyd has led and supported many efforts within the city of San Francisco which have positively impacted the lives of African Americans throughout the communities of this area.