Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

"Celebrating 150 Years In God's House"

Bethel is proud to celebrate 150 years of existence as the oldest
African American Church in San Francisco.
Episcopal Salutation
(A.M.E. Discipline 1964)
"African Methodism exists as a protest against segregation in the Christian Church. Few people seem to recognize that one hundred seventy-seven years ago (214 in 2001) Richard Allen and his followers were laboring to prevent Christianity in America from developing the racial stratification which is today its greatest embarrassment, both at home, and in all mission fields. Our motto "God, our Father; Christ, our Redeemer; Man, our Brother," we believe to be scriptural, for St. Paul said, "God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth." We therefore unreservedly welcome into our fellowship without regard to race, nationality or social distinction, all who will share the faith in Jesus Christ as Redeemer and Lord, set forth in the doctrines herein contained."