First Bethel Baptist Church History
Established 1874
"Upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18
First Bethel Baptist Church is the second oldest Baptist Church in the Varina area. It 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, Va.
The first pastor of First Bethel Baptist Church was the Reverend George Boswell. He planted the original seed and since that time, with the help of the Almighty God and the aid of the Holy Spirit, First Bethel has continued to flourish.
In 1880, the church building was destroyed by fire, but the members persevered and insisted on worshipping God outside until a new building was erected. We have had several Pastors during our 130+ year history.
Previous Pastors include:
Out of First Bethel have come eight sons. They are: Reverends John Tyler, Sr., James Tyler, Hillard Temple, James Williams, Welford Adkins, John Tyler, Sr., Bobby Holmes and Fernando Temple. They have all been faithful to God’s ministry.
Some of our earlier deacons include Deacons Joseph Tyler, Henry Ross, Samuel Jones, Richard Hayes, Jacob Payne, Lewis Childrey, Frank Lewis, McKinley Johnson, Liston Tyler, Frank Knight, Walter Jones, Joseph Dandridge, Eddie Johnson, James Adkins, Fernando Temple, Richard Dandridge, Archie Scott, Earl Dandridge and Rufus Temple.
Our present deacons are Keith Bradby, Chairman, Desiree Bradby, and Joyce Patterson. The earlier deaconesses were Helen Dye, Florence Johnson, Lucille Tyler and Ada Lewis. Our current deaconesses are Shirley Temple, chairperson, Florence Tyler, Gladys Adkins, Betty Barnes, Lucy Dandridge and Barbara Parham.
Some of the earlier Trustees were Welton Perry, Daniel Woods, James Williams, Joseph Dandridge, James Adkins, James Johnson, Wilbert Dandridge, Walter Jones, Leon Johnson, Carolyn Johnson and Janie Phelps. Our current trustees are Donald Robinson, chairman, Danny Tyler, co-chairman, Patricia Lewis, Carolyn Tyler, James Walker and Earl Johnson.
Some of the earlier clerks were Oscar Gibbs, Frank Lewis, Louise Jones, Rosa Smith and Mattie Scott. Our current clerk is Joyce Patterson, who has served us for the past 16 years.
The present financial secretary is Carolyn Tyler and the current treasurer is Patricia Lewis.
Some of the earlier Sunday School Superintendents include J. L. Adams, Robert Gibbs, John Gibbs, Florence Johnson, John Manual, Joseph Dandridge, Frank Knight, Lucy Dandridge and Richard Dandridge. Our current superintendent is Gwendolyn Hairston and the Assistant Superintendent is Earl Johnson.
Our first organist was Henrietta Johnson. Other musicians included: Florence Charity, Mildred Temple, Irma Patterson, Sharon Rudd, James Johnson, Clarence Walker, Gertrude McDonnough, Rev. Arthur Roots and Branden Anderson. Our current organists are Ms. Deborah Bolden, Mrs. Palma Pettis, Mrs. Evelyn Woodard Johnson, and Mrs. Patricia Lewis. We have three drummers: Lauren Morris, Little Miss Rianna Johnson and Tykeira Johnson.
The church has the following choirs: Sanctuary Choir, Inspirational Choir, Male Chorus, Unity Choir and The Combined Voices.
We are blessed to have twelve Ministries which include the Christian Women Workers, Youth Ministry, Missionaries, Men’s Usher Board, Women’s Usher Board, Junior and Young Adult Usher Boards, Church School, Bible Study, Prayer Ministry, Youth Bible Study and the Men’s Ministry.
Church School teachers are: Patricia Lewis, Wanda Moody and Charles Hairston. The Assistant teachers are: Carolyn Tyler, Virgie Washington, Barbara Parham, and Deacon Keith Bradby.
Dr. Massenburg-Johnson teaches the Adult Bible Study Class on Tuesday nights and Patricia Lewis teaches the Youth/Young Adult Bible Study Class. Rev. Dr. Fernando Temple teaches the Thursday Mid-Day Bible Class.
Our Church has recently become affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Richmond and Vicinity. Our objective is to promote cooperation of Evangelical Religion and to foster and train young minds through the work of the Church School. We also work towards the distribution of religious literature, encourage religious education, provide intellectual growth and moral training and to provide assistance to both Home and Foreign Mission.
We are actively involved with several community outreach ministries which include Henrico Healthcare, 4th Avenue Highrise, Highland Springs Elementary School and FISH.
We thank God for our Church and we believe the history of First Bethel Baptist Church is a living testimony to the Word and the Promises of Jesus.
We strongly believe, “We CAN do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us”!
The first pastor of First Bethel Baptist Church was the Reverend George Boswell. He planted the original seed and since that time, with the help of the Almighty God and the aid of the Holy Spirit, First Bethel has continued to flourish.
In 1880, the church building was destroyed by fire, but the members persevered and insisted on worshipping God outside until a new building was erected. We have had several Pastors during our 130+ year history.
Previous Pastors include:
- Rev. E. C. Fogle, under whose leadership the exterior of the church was remodeled with siding and the vestibule was added
- Rev. Curtis Darden under whose ministry new pews, hardwood floors and a new pulpit set were purchased. Rev. Darden served us faithfully until God called him home.
- Rev. Curtis Robinson was the next minister and under his leadership the heating system was installed.
- Later, under Rev. Charles L. Stigger’s leadership, the interior and exterior was renovated and new bathrooms were added. He served until declining health caused him to resign in January 1973.
- Rev. Percy LeBlanc was then called to be our pastor in February 1974. Under his leadership, new lights were added to the sanctuary and a church bus was purchased. He served the church well until he resigned in 1976 to join the U.S. Navy as a Chaplain.
- In 1977, Rev. George Magazine was called as Pastor and under his leadership, the educational building was added.
- In February 1994, Rev. Rico A. Patterson was called to First Bethel Church. Under his leadership the parking lot was resurfaced and new windows were installed in the sanctuary. Also, Rev. Bobby Holmes became an Associate Pastor and was a great asset to the ministry and our church.
- Our current Pastor, Rev. Dr. Johnnye Massenburg-Johnson was elected Pastor November 1, 2009. She is the first female Pastor we have had in our 130+ and the only female pastor in all the Baptist Churches in Varina. Under her leadership, we established a global website, FirstBethelBaptistVarina.org, and installed high speed internet. We have also added the Men’s Fellowship Ministry. Also under her leadership and guidance, we have seen attendance in our Sunday School and mid-week Bible Study more than triple. We are currently working on replacing the Church sign which is situated at the corner of Strath and Kingsland Roads.
Out of First Bethel have come eight sons. They are: Reverends John Tyler, Sr., James Tyler, Hillard Temple, James Williams, Welford Adkins, John Tyler, Sr., Bobby Holmes and Fernando Temple. They have all been faithful to God’s ministry.
Some of our earlier deacons include Deacons Joseph Tyler, Henry Ross, Samuel Jones, Richard Hayes, Jacob Payne, Lewis Childrey, Frank Lewis, McKinley Johnson, Liston Tyler, Frank Knight, Walter Jones, Joseph Dandridge, Eddie Johnson, James Adkins, Fernando Temple, Richard Dandridge, Archie Scott, Earl Dandridge and Rufus Temple.
Our present deacons are Keith Bradby, Chairman, Desiree Bradby, and Joyce Patterson. The earlier deaconesses were Helen Dye, Florence Johnson, Lucille Tyler and Ada Lewis. Our current deaconesses are Shirley Temple, chairperson, Florence Tyler, Gladys Adkins, Betty Barnes, Lucy Dandridge and Barbara Parham.
Some of the earlier Trustees were Welton Perry, Daniel Woods, James Williams, Joseph Dandridge, James Adkins, James Johnson, Wilbert Dandridge, Walter Jones, Leon Johnson, Carolyn Johnson and Janie Phelps. Our current trustees are Donald Robinson, chairman, Danny Tyler, co-chairman, Patricia Lewis, Carolyn Tyler, James Walker and Earl Johnson.
Some of the earlier clerks were Oscar Gibbs, Frank Lewis, Louise Jones, Rosa Smith and Mattie Scott. Our current clerk is Joyce Patterson, who has served us for the past 16 years.
The present financial secretary is Carolyn Tyler and the current treasurer is Patricia Lewis.
Some of the earlier Sunday School Superintendents include J. L. Adams, Robert Gibbs, John Gibbs, Florence Johnson, John Manual, Joseph Dandridge, Frank Knight, Lucy Dandridge and Richard Dandridge. Our current superintendent is Gwendolyn Hairston and the Assistant Superintendent is Earl Johnson.
Our first organist was Henrietta Johnson. Other musicians included: Florence Charity, Mildred Temple, Irma Patterson, Sharon Rudd, James Johnson, Clarence Walker, Gertrude McDonnough, Rev. Arthur Roots and Branden Anderson. Our current organists are Ms. Deborah Bolden, Mrs. Palma Pettis, Mrs. Evelyn Woodard Johnson, and Mrs. Patricia Lewis. We have three drummers: Lauren Morris, Little Miss Rianna Johnson and Tykeira Johnson.
The church has the following choirs: Sanctuary Choir, Inspirational Choir, Male Chorus, Unity Choir and The Combined Voices.
We are blessed to have twelve Ministries which include the Christian Women Workers, Youth Ministry, Missionaries, Men’s Usher Board, Women’s Usher Board, Junior and Young Adult Usher Boards, Church School, Bible Study, Prayer Ministry, Youth Bible Study and the Men’s Ministry.
Church School teachers are: Patricia Lewis, Wanda Moody and Charles Hairston. The Assistant teachers are: Carolyn Tyler, Virgie Washington, Barbara Parham, and Deacon Keith Bradby.
Dr. Massenburg-Johnson teaches the Adult Bible Study Class on Tuesday nights and Patricia Lewis teaches the Youth/Young Adult Bible Study Class. Rev. Dr. Fernando Temple teaches the Thursday Mid-Day Bible Class.
Our Church has recently become affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Richmond and Vicinity. Our objective is to promote cooperation of Evangelical Religion and to foster and train young minds through the work of the Church School. We also work towards the distribution of religious literature, encourage religious education, provide intellectual growth and moral training and to provide assistance to both Home and Foreign Mission.
We are actively involved with several community outreach ministries which include Henrico Healthcare, 4th Avenue Highrise, Highland Springs Elementary School and FISH.
We thank God for our Church and we believe the history of First Bethel Baptist Church is a living testimony to the Word and the Promises of Jesus.
We strongly believe, “We CAN do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us”!