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BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
TEST OF FAITH
Think
of this as the little church that could. The congregation at Bethel
African Methodist Episcopal, Iowa City's oldest African-American
Church, has overcome discrimination, fire and dwindling numbers to keep
its doors open and its mission positive since first welcoming a
congregation just after the close of the Civil War.
This tiny church has touched the lives of many, from the members of its
founding congregation to Mississippi State legislator Percy Watson and
opera singer Simon Estes, who both attended Bethel, to the scores of
University of Iowa students who have called Bethel their home away from
home.
It is, said Bethel's current pastor, the Rev. Willie Clemmons, the
congregation's tremendous commitment that has enable the small church
to
wield such wide-ranging influence.
"The most special thing about Bethel is the support of the few
members," said Clemmons, who has been with the church since October
1994. "They make me feel like I'm pastoring the large church I pastored
in Des Moines. They're really wonderful."
As the church celebrates its 127th anniversary, it looks toward
increasing the size of its congregation, its fellowship with other
churches in the area and toward improving the church structure. To
raise money to renovate the church building, Bethel will host a
banquet at 7 p.m. May 12 at the Highlander.
The church first opened its doors in 1868, just after the end of
slavery. At that time, more than 300 African-Americans lived in Iowa
CIty. As a
stop on the underground railroad, Iowa City was known to be a
supportive community.
The cornerstone for Bethel was laid April 1, 1868, on the church's lot
at 411 S. Governor St.
Since African-Americans were unable at this time to own property within
the Johnson County limits, the church property was gerrymandered so it
was outside Iowa City and Johnson County.
In 1893 a parsonage was was built under the administration of Rev.
James Farris. It was during this period and continuing into the 1940s
that membership
dropped as labor for African-Americans became scarce. From 1870-1940,
there were never more than 120 African-Americans residing in Johnson
County.
In 1916, pavement was laid in front of the church. By May 1923, Bethel
was renovated both inside and out. Just days after the renovation was
complete, a fire destroyed much of
the new work. An insurance policy valued at $1,500 covered the $1,100
damages. In 1924 another fire struck, this time at the parsonage.
Again,
committed church members saw that the damage was repaired. During the
remaining years of the 1920s, more renovations, such as
completing a sidewalk, adding new windows, repairing the roof and
putting in a new piano were finished.
But the confidence of the church's congregation did not match the
polished, sturdy building. Many African-Americans left the state at
this point and membership fell, making it difficult to keep Bethel's
doors open.
In 1958, the Rev. Fred Penny was sent to Bethel, and through his spirit
of encouragement the church regained strength. During his 37 years at
the church, where he reamined until his death in
October 1994, Penny sought out African-American students from the
University of Iowa. "Students would remain in touch with my dad after they'd left the
area," said Rev. Penny's daughter, Dianna Penny, a resident of Iowa
City and organist at Bethel. "It was a cathartic period in civil rights
history and for the church",
Penny recalled. "We went through the '60s and all of that. The church's
history ran
concurrently (with these world events). Vietnam and the civil rights
movement, we saw all of that history."
Now, Clemmons seeks to revitalize the church, drawing not only from the
University of Iowa but also from African-Americans living and working
in the Iowa City area. "We've increased the congregation to 11 members
(from eight)," said
Clemmons. "We have 15 to 40 people on Sunday morning. "I hope we will
increase to 50 members in another year. Fifty committed
members."
(Source: Written
by Scott Norris, Iowa City Press-Citizen (Iowa City, Iowa) 5 May 1995,
Fri)
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