With God all things are possible" - Matthew 19:26

    The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church of Lewistown, Pa. was built on Juniata Street in 1874 on ground donated by Samuel Moloson, according to historical records.

    The original Bethel Church in Lewistown was built in 1833. It was later destroyed. The next church was built at the end of a narrow alley (known today as McClintic Ave.) on Third Street. Mechanics' liens were entered against that building. It was abandoned and it was at this time that a two-story church was erected on Juniata St. on the donated land.

    Some time later that structure was razed and a new church to honor God was envisioned by Pastor Bernard Carpenter, a dynamic "born again" Christian, who was preaching to the local A.M.E. Church. With God's confidence and help from the people and businesses of the local community, the current church was built and dedicated August 20, 1989, with Presiding Elder, Rev. Arthur Maura from the 3rd Episcopal District of Allegheny Scranton District officiating.

    The heritage of the African Methodist Church began in Philadelphia, Pa. where Richard Allen, a black slave, felt the stigma of slavery and appealed to God for help. He rejoiced for answered prayer and witnessed extensively to others of his spiritual freedom. In a white Methodist Church in that city he and two others were refused a place to sit and while kneeling to pray were forcibly removed. This led Richard Allen to declare the need for a separate church for black Methodists. Bishop Allen did erect a church in Philadelphia, naming it "Bethel".

    It was in 1816 that the ill-treated blacks of Philadelphia and also Baltimore areas called a General Conference to form a Connection... taking into consideration major grievances, and in order to secure their privileges and promote union among themselves, it was:

    Resolved: "that the people of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and all other places should unite with them, become one body under the name and style of the African Methodist Church."

    African was added to the church name to distinguish the black Methodists from the white Methodists.

    The African Methodist Church is not a racist or a segregationist church and this local Bethel A.M.E. Church adheres to the same doctrine.

    The Bethel A.M.E. Church of Lewistown, Pa. has been dedicated to

        God, our Father

            Jesus, our Savior

                Man, our Mission

            "And the truth shall make you free:

                                                        -John 8:32