Bethany AME Church History

In 1878, the community of Kelly-Kelton formed a house church under the guidance of Reverend Circus. Worshippers traveled rotationally from home-to-home to hear and learn the word of God.

In the year of 1891, Reverend Circus and converted African Methodist Episcopal members erected a school named Ebenezer. Church was held at Ebenezer and a formal education system was put into place for members of the Kelly-Kelton community.

After the tenure of Reverend Circus, the Lord sent the Reverends J.C. Murrah (1949-50); McQueen (1950-52); M.H. Jenkins (1952-54); Sabb (1954-55); W.W. Cooper (1955-56); H. Hatten (1956-57) and T. Johnson (1960-62).

In 1962, Reverend T. Eicheberger was appointed pastor and under his leadership Bethany African Methodist Episcopal Church was built.

In the year of 1975, under the leadership of Rev, Eichelberger, Bethany's committed and dedicated Board, (Namely: Eugene Eison, Juanita Henderson, Roosevelt Eison, Bishop Eison, Fannie Means, Brenda Foster and Haskell Greer, (Stewards: Rutherford Smith, Virgie Glenn, Melvin Eison, Hazel Hughes, Eddie L. Sutton, Minnie P. Rice, Minnie L. Eison, Virginia Harris, Nellie Shippy and Floyd Allen (Trustees) led to the summation to erect the present church, now located at 137 Bethany Church Road, Jonesville, SC 29353. In the Year of our Lord, December 1976, the new sanctuary was dedicated and moved into for worship services. This new sanctuary was endowed with African Methodist Episcopal apparel and literature. Rev. Eichelberger remained pastor of Bethany AME until 1986.

In 1986, Rev. T.H. Dickerson served as pastor until 1987; Rev. T.E. Woolridge served from 1987-1988; Rev. R. Smalls 1988-92; Rev. R. Kennedy 1992-96; Rev. Brunsen 1996-96; Rev. M.B. Reeves 1996-97; Rev. C. Nelums 1997-2006; Rev. I Adamson 2006-07; and Rev. C. Stack 2007-13.

Under our Current Pastor, The Rev. Clinton Joseph Hall II, we have realized a dream come to past. After having sat desolate, incomplete and uninhabitable for almost 15 years, our Community Development Center is now open for service. We have over 10.000 Sq. Ft. of multi functional space for the Church and Community.