First Bethel Baptist Church History
1874 - 2024
“Christians Waking in Excellence with Evidence” -- 1 Corinthians 2:9
First Bethel Baptist Church was first organized in 1874 under the guidance of Mr. J. L. Adams, Rev. Thomas Green, and the Trustees of the Fourth Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia.
It was founded less than ten years after the Civil War when emancipated slaves needed their own building to worship as free people. In 1880, the church building was destroyed by fire, but the members persevered and insisted on worshiping God outside until a new building was erected.
The first pastor of First Bethel was Reverend George Boswell. Other early ministers were Rev. W.W. Christy, Rev. Christian, Rev. Willis, Rev. John Jones, Rev. Calvin, Rev. Joe Brown and Rev. Fitzgerald.
Rev. Ernest C. Fogle was pastor during the 1940’s. Under his leadership, the Missionary Ministry was established, the Senior Choir was organized with Henrietta Johnson as the first organist. The Ladies Auxiliary Board of Ushers was organized in 1948. The exterior of the church was remodeled with siding and the vestibule was added.
Rev. Curtis Darden was the pastor from 1955-1958 Under Rev. Darden’s leadership, new pews, hardwood floors and a new pulpit set were purchased.
Rev. Curtis Robinson was pastor from 1959 to 1962. Under his leadership, the heating system was installed.
Rev. Charles L. Stigger was pastor from 1964 to 1973. Under his leadership, the interior and exterior of the church was renovated and new bathrooms were added. In 1970, the Junior Choir was also organized.
Rev. Percy M. LeBlanc was pastor from 1974 to 1977. During his leadership the Young Women’s Association was formed. They later became the Christian Women Workers. New lights were added to the sanctuary and a church bus was purchased.
Rev. George Magazine was pastor from 1978 to 1989. During this time the Youth Usher Board was re-established with Mrs. Earline Magazine and Mrs. Carolyn Tyler as advisors. Under his Leadership the educational building was built. Because of his faithfulness and belief that God can do all thing, this building was built debt free through donations from the members. Praise be to God.
Rev. Connis Mobley was the pastor from 1990 to 1993.
Rev. Rico A. Patterson was pastor from 1994 to 2008. During his leadership, Bible Study and Prayer Service were reinstituted on Wednesday evenings. Later, Intercessory Prayer was established as a separate ministry. The parking lot was resurfaced, and new windows were installed, and the sanctuary later remodeled. Also, during this time Rev. Bobby Holmes became Associate Minister of First Bethel and helped begin the outreach ministry with services at the Fourth Avenue Highrise.
Our current pastor, Rev. Dr. Johnnye Massenburg-Johnson, was elected pastor on November 1, 2009. She is our first female pastor. Under Rev. Massenburg-Johnson’s leadership, the church has resurfaced the parking lot, established a global website, installed high speed internet, and the kitchen and bathrooms were remodeled. Our Men & Boys Ministry was re-established, we celebrate National Night Out, and a yearly Men Who Cook celebration is held during Black History month. Also under Rev. Massenburg-Johnson’s leadership, two church directories were printed, and an electric piano, keyboard and copier were purchased. In 2013, the church burned its sanctuary renovation mortgage and, in 2024, we held our first annual Women’s Retreat.
It was founded less than ten years after the Civil War when emancipated slaves needed their own building to worship as free people. In 1880, the church building was destroyed by fire, but the members persevered and insisted on worshiping God outside until a new building was erected.
The first pastor of First Bethel was Reverend George Boswell. Other early ministers were Rev. W.W. Christy, Rev. Christian, Rev. Willis, Rev. John Jones, Rev. Calvin, Rev. Joe Brown and Rev. Fitzgerald.
Rev. Ernest C. Fogle was pastor during the 1940’s. Under his leadership, the Missionary Ministry was established, the Senior Choir was organized with Henrietta Johnson as the first organist. The Ladies Auxiliary Board of Ushers was organized in 1948. The exterior of the church was remodeled with siding and the vestibule was added.
Rev. Curtis Darden was the pastor from 1955-1958 Under Rev. Darden’s leadership, new pews, hardwood floors and a new pulpit set were purchased.
Rev. Curtis Robinson was pastor from 1959 to 1962. Under his leadership, the heating system was installed.
Rev. Charles L. Stigger was pastor from 1964 to 1973. Under his leadership, the interior and exterior of the church was renovated and new bathrooms were added. In 1970, the Junior Choir was also organized.
Rev. Percy M. LeBlanc was pastor from 1974 to 1977. During his leadership the Young Women’s Association was formed. They later became the Christian Women Workers. New lights were added to the sanctuary and a church bus was purchased.
Rev. George Magazine was pastor from 1978 to 1989. During this time the Youth Usher Board was re-established with Mrs. Earline Magazine and Mrs. Carolyn Tyler as advisors. Under his Leadership the educational building was built. Because of his faithfulness and belief that God can do all thing, this building was built debt free through donations from the members. Praise be to God.
Rev. Connis Mobley was the pastor from 1990 to 1993.
Rev. Rico A. Patterson was pastor from 1994 to 2008. During his leadership, Bible Study and Prayer Service were reinstituted on Wednesday evenings. Later, Intercessory Prayer was established as a separate ministry. The parking lot was resurfaced, and new windows were installed, and the sanctuary later remodeled. Also, during this time Rev. Bobby Holmes became Associate Minister of First Bethel and helped begin the outreach ministry with services at the Fourth Avenue Highrise.
Our current pastor, Rev. Dr. Johnnye Massenburg-Johnson, was elected pastor on November 1, 2009. She is our first female pastor. Under Rev. Massenburg-Johnson’s leadership, the church has resurfaced the parking lot, established a global website, installed high speed internet, and the kitchen and bathrooms were remodeled. Our Men & Boys Ministry was re-established, we celebrate National Night Out, and a yearly Men Who Cook celebration is held during Black History month. Also under Rev. Massenburg-Johnson’s leadership, two church directories were printed, and an electric piano, keyboard and copier were purchased. In 2013, the church burned its sanctuary renovation mortgage and, in 2024, we held our first annual Women’s Retreat.
We thank God for our past history, for it has been the foundation on which we have built the present. It continues to encourage us and serves as a guide as we look forward to the future.
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9