Bay Area

Bethel AME Celebrates Its 170th Church Anniversary

Founded in 1852, when San Francisco was a main post for the gold rush and before the Civil War, Bethel AME is the oldest African American church in the city and it continues to serve the city’s African American community with great distinction, despite the changing demographics caused by gentrification.

Published

3 years ago

April 25, 2022

Oakland Post

Robert Shaw, pastor of Bethel AME Church in San Francisco with his friend, the Rev. Marcus Dudley, head pastor at Kingdom Movement Community Church in Coffeeville, Miss., who was the guest speaker at Bethel’s 170th anniversary celebration. Photo by Lee Hubbard.

By Lee Hubbard

It has been a long time coming for Pastor Robert Shaw, the pastor of Bethel AME church in San Francisco. In his fourth year at the San Francisco church, Shaw was just getting his feet wet, when it was shut down for close to two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.

But on a recent Sunday, Shaw was all smiles, as Bethel AME, in its second week of opening, celebrated the 170th anniversary of its founding in San Francisco.

“The church reopening has been a process, but we are glad it’s open,” said Pastor Shaw. “We did all of the safety protocols, and we will continue to make sure everyone is safe.”

The keynote speaker for the 170th anniversary service was a friend of Pastor Shaw, the Rev. Marcus Dudley, head pastor at Kingdom Movement Community Church in Coffeeville, Miss. Both Pastor Shaw and Pastor Dudley attended seminary school together and formed a bond.

In his first visit to San Francisco, Pastor Dudley said he was impressed with the members of Bethel. But he stressed there is more to do at the church in the community and in San Francisco.

“After 170 years at this church, God is not finished with this church,” said Dudley. “‘God has more to do with this church and the membership has to make it happen.”

“I think that being able to stay open 170 years is a statement to the faithfulness of the ministry that this church has provided to the community,” continued Dudley.

While the church had been shut down due to COVID-19, the church has a growing Facebook page and a YouTube channel, which has helped to keep the church relevant and has helped to spread the Word.

Now that many of the COVID-19 protocols have been lifted, the church is opening its doors again to San Francisco’s Black community.

“We are back, and it’s only just begun,” said Pastor Shaw. “It’s amazing that this church is thriving in this current climate,” added Dudley.