Title
Proclamation congratulating Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church upon the momentous occasion of its 200th anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, for the past 200 years, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church has been a guiding influence for moral, spiritual, and cultural improvement in Allegheny County; and
WHEREAS, in 1808, a church known as the “African Church,” later called Bethel AME Church, was organized as the first African-American congregation in the City of Pittsburgh. In 1818, three freedmen, James and George Coleman and Abraham Lewis, also organized a Sunday School in Downtown Pittsburgh. In that same year, Bethel Church received its Charter; and
WHEREAS, in 1818, the Baltimore Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was petitioned to receive Bethel as a congregation and to send a minister; and
WHEREAS, following the tenures of Minister David Smith and Bishop Paul Quinn, Reverend Lewis Woodson served as Pastor for many years and was heavily involved with the Underground Railroad efforts and in 1831, also developed the school now known as Miller African-Centered Academy; and
WHEREAS, in 1844, Bethel hosted a conference during which a Resolution was passed that led to the establishment of Payne Theological Seminary and the church's work at Wilberforce University; and
WHEREAS, today, Bethel continues to serve the community through a variety of initiatives, including the Bethel Food Pantry, the Scholarship Program, the Transportation Ministry, Small Seeds Development, Inc. Mother to Son Program, the Young People Division, the YES Lord Ministry and the newly formed Cub Scouts of Bethel Church; and
WHEREAS, Bethel has been blessed with exemplary leaders throughout its history and continues to thrive under the current leadership of Reverend Nathaniel Colvin III and his wife, Reverend Nicole Colvin;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Allegheny County Council hereby congratulates Bethel AME Church on the momentous occasion of its 200th anniversary in Allegheny County. Furthermore, we wish you success as you kick off your weeklong 200th anniversary celebration.