Learn about our past

Church History

Sometime during the Spring of 1869, the pioneer settlers of Adamsville met in the old Green School house on Greens Ferry Road (which is now Gordon Road-at the junction of Bolton Road), for the purpose of organizing a Methodist Church. W. J. Wardlaw was sent as first Pastor to assist them. The majority of the settlers joined in with the work and the church became known as Bethel Methodist Church.

They held church in the schoolhouse until early spring of 1875 when a storm hit Adamsville and destroyed the schoolhouse. It was rebuilt immediately, but moved to a more logical place to meet the spiritual and educational demands of the people. A.G.G. Howell deeded the property to Bethel Church to be used only for school and church purposes.

In 1900, the Bethel congregation built a sanctuary on a hilltop near the junction of Gordon Road – now Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Bolton Road. This church building remained the site of Bethel congregation until 1928, when the growth in church membership to 169 necessitated a larger sanctuary on a bigger site. The church was eventually moved to Del Mar Lane where it continued to grow.

By 1963, the Adamsville community was undergoing much racial transition, and members of Bethel began to move away from the area. Thus in 1963, the congregation began to lay plans for a new and larger church. They partnered with the Fulton County Board of Education and a deal was struck whereby two church members offered four acres of land to the Board for the building of a school if they would deed part of this land to the Bethel congregation to be a site church. The new church was located in the triangle bounded by Del Mar Lane, Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Brownlee Road. Considerable improvements were made to this property which was sold in 1964. The District Superintendent of the Atlanta West District, of which Bethel was a part, assisted with finding the present location on New Hope Road as a new church Site. Construction was started in 1964.

On Sunday, February 5, 1965, the first service was held in the new church and Rev. Fred L. Shoenberger was pastor. In 1969, Rev. Judson Hodges was pastor and the first to reside in the parsonage on Loch Lomond Trail. The Service of Dedication for the present sanctuary was held Sunday, January 6, 1974 under the leadership of Bishop William R. Cannon and Pastor F. Maxwell Wall, Jr.

God blessed and grew the church by sending some the following spiritual leaders:

1971 - 1974

Rev. Fred Wall, Jr.

1974 - 1976

Rev. Gary Mc. Parrish

1976 - 1978

Rev. Luther Cooper

1978 - 1986

Rev. Emile Ennis was appointed as the first Black pastor of Bethel. Under his leadership, the church grew with strong choirs and youth programs. In 1984, pews were installed in the then fellowship hall to add permanence to the worship service until a new sanctuary could be built. His humble spirit-filled manner of preaching and sharing God’s love will be everlasting.

1986 - 1988

Rev. Dr. Robert Stovall, through his seasoned pastoral style, galvanized the men to take a more active role in the church and community. His passion was family.

1988 - 1992

Rev. Frederick P. Grey shared the motivation of a pastor called to the ministry at a mature stage of life. His candor was an encouragement to all who sought to strengthen their spiritual commitment as adults.

1992 - 1998

Rev. Dr. Derrick Rhodes was an energetic young pastor whose sharing of the Word through sermons and bible study grew the church. His knowledge of the bible was the beginning of Wednesday night bible study which has been vital to the church and its membership.

1998 - 2002

Rev. Moses Woodruff, Jr. led the church to a heightened scene of fellowship through his ability of transparency. He revealed his strengths and weaknesses which encouraged members to bear witness to their life walk with Christ. He encourage and was influential in the formation of a Gospel choir.

2002 - 2003

Rev. Hulon Kemp left a legacy of genuine love for the congregation; especially the children. He emphasized the importance of reaching out to other less fortunate communities near our local. His laid back genuine style of ministry brought a renewed commitment to grow the church.

2003 - 2003

Rev. Marvin King, Sr., (Interim). While a standing member of the Mississippi Conference, Rev. King has been a tireless conduit of love and pastoral care. His never- ending passion for the sick and shut-ins have changed the church’s outreach to the infirmed. He has been a member of Bethel for over forty years and continues to be a strong support and encourager to each minister that has come to Bethel.

2003 - 2012

Rev. Lee Pendleton brought a studied knowledge of music to Bethel. He magnified the beauty of traditional hymns while supporting the awareness of newer praise hymns. He helped organize the need for ministry leaders to be trained and attend district study opportunities. He participated and encouraged foreign missionary trips.

2012 - 2018

Rev. Dr. Michael D. Stinson served Bethel. Under his leadership the physical facility was updated and improved in an effort to reach more young and non-churched people in the community. He always encouraged and participated in Bethel’s many missionary trips. His knowledge and interpretation of the bible has brought Bethel to a higher level of excellence.

2018 - 2020

Rev. Dr. A. Elaine Crawford became Bethel’s first female pastor. Her professional pastoral demeanor of unconditional love and support is sure to grow the church. Her experience and knowledge promise to expand the church under her expertise. Dr. Crawford comes with many pastoral and educational achievements including professorships at accredited colleges dating back to 1993. Dr Crawford is a published author and scholar. She is a certified member of The Oxford roundtable. She is the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia. She is an ordained Elder in Full connection in the North Georgia Conference (NGC), and has 25 year of dedicated years of ministerial leadership. Her most recent appointments were as Associate Pastor at Ben Hill UMC, Associate Pastor Cascade UMC, Senior Pastor at Newnan UMC and University Chaplain at Clark Atlanta University. Her life mantra is “To God be the glory for the great things God has done”

July 2020 - June 2024

Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Rose-Tucker became Bethel’s second awesome female pastor. She has demonstrated that she is devoted, loving, and caring to the members of Bethel. Jacqui has served in the following appointments: Counselor, Project Redirection, YWCA, Pastor, Union Chapel UMC, Marietta, Assistant Pastor, Gordon Memorial UMC, Minister of Christian Education, Hermitage UMC, TN, Pastor, Calvary United Methodist Church and Senior Associate Pastor and as Pastor of Mission, Education and Pastoral Care, Norcross First UMC, Senior Pastor, St Paul UMC, Atlanta-Marietta District, and 8 years as District Superintendent of the Rome-Carrollton District in North Georgia Annual Conference. She is the first African American female to serve on the cabinet in the North Georgia Conference. She is committed to excellence and following God’s direction. Her motto is “Leave it better than she found it.” Her guiding scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

July 2024 - Current

Reverend Chaloea E. Hale is a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the daughter of the late Charles E. and Reverend Tueresa A. Palmer. As a preacher’s kid, Chaloea was actively involved in her church and within the community of Harrisburg.

After graduating high school, Reverend Hale’s passion for television led her to Atlanta, Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications from Clark Atlanta University. She began her career as a member of the production team at WAGA FOX 5 Atlanta. Later, Reverend Hale returned to her alma mater to work at Clark Atlanta University’s television station, CAU-TV. Leveraging her media experience, she started mentoring other young professionals to prepare them for careers in the industry. This journey inspired her to follow her call to ordained ministry and seminary. Reverend Hale obtained her Master of Divinity from Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

Reverend Hale brings her spiritual gifts to ministry in numerous ways that are driven by her deep love for youth and children. She began her ministry journey as the Minister to Youth at Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church in Jonesboro, Georgia, and later took on the role of Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Hoosier Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. She was then appointed as Lead Pastor of Rivertown United Methodist Church in Fairburn, Georgia. Now an Elder in Full Connection, Reverend Hale currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Congregational Care at Smyrna First United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Georgia.

Reverend Hale is active in the community and often shares how she is excited for all that God is doing through the mission and ministries of the local church and the organizations that she continues to serve in the community. Reverend Hale extends her ministry beyond the church walls by sharing the Good News on social media. Through her Friday Inspirations Series, she uplifts and motivates a broader audience of Faith Seekers.

Rev. Hale holds her family near and dear to her heart. Chaloea is happily married to Craig Hale, and they have two beautiful children, Anaiah and Craig, II. She is thankful for her parents-in-love, Reverend Dr. Wimbley Hale, Jr. and Mrs. Mae Hale. Chaloea is also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. When she is not ministering to God’s people, you will find Reverend Hale at the beach, on a cruise, or spending time with family and close friends. Most of all, Reverend Hale remains committed to “Go and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” As she continues to grow in the love of God, Matthew 28:19-20 will remain in her heart as she is called to be a vessel for The Kingdom of God.