Our Pastoral History

1. Rev. Benjamin Shipworth

2. Rev. Thomas Straughters

3. Rev. Major Richardson

4. Rev. Amos McIntosh

5. Rev. Nathan Ward

6. Rev. Robert Jones

7. Rev. Levi Bass

8. Rev. Nathan Mitchem

9. Rev. Frederick Meyers

10. Rev. William C. Trevan

11. Rev. E. C. Joiner

12. Rev. Jonathan Mitchem

13. Rev. W. H. Yocum

14. Rev. James M. Townsend*

15. Rev. A. T. Hall

16. Rev. W. R. Revels

17. Rev. J. L. Crosby

18. Rev. W. S. Langford

19. Rev. John McSmith

20. Rev. Charles Thomas

21. Rev. Morris Lewis

22. Rev. D. P. Roberts

23. Rev. P. M. Lewis

24. Rev. James M. Townsend*

25. Rev. I. M. Burgan

26. Rev. Henry Simons

27. Rev. J. S. Barksdale

28. Rev. H. H. Butler

29. Rev. J. S. Masterson

30. Rev. Frank P. Baker

31. Rev. Noah Willington Williams**

32. Rev. George Sampson

33. Rev. J.P.Q. Wallace***

34. Rev. J. L. Craven

35. Rev. H. H. Black

36. Rev. A. J. Irvine

37. Rev. Charles T. H. Watkins

38. Rev. W. D. Shannon

39. Rev. L. S. Parks

40. Rev. Matthew A. Lowe

41. Rev. John A. Woods 1957 - 1964

42. Rev. Walter D. Parks 1964 - 1971

43. Rev. J. P. Henning 1971 - 1976

44. Rev. Robert D. Hearn 1976 - 1980

45. Rev. Albert D. Tyson, III 1980 - 1985

46. Rev. Larry J. Bell 1985 - 1990

47. Rev. Hiram Walker 1990 - 1991

48. Rev. Kevin K. Owens 1991 - 1993

49. Rev. Ron L. Norris 1993 - 2001

50. Rev. Dr. John R. Halbert 2001 - 2003

51. Rev. Archie Criglar 2003 - 2004

52. Rev. Barbara Harris 2004 - 2012

53. Rev. Pamela Jones-Horne 2012 - 2016

54. Rev. Freddie Banks 2016 - 2021

55. Rev. Michael Jefferson, II 2021 - 2024

56. Rev. Kenneth Christmon 2024- Present

* Rev. James Townsend was the 14th and 24th pastor of Bethel, Richmond, serving from 1873 - 1875 and 1891 - 1893, was a U.S. Presidential appointee as Recorder of Deeds and was the first Black man elected to represent Wayne County in the Indiana House of Representatives. Townsend was pastor when our current edifice was built. (Source: Find a Grave)

** Rt. Rev. Noah Wellington Williams was elected the 54th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1932. (Source: Doctrine and Discipline of the A.M.E. Church) 

*** Rev. John Paul Quinn Wallace was one of the longest serving presiding elders of the Indiana Annual Conference, retiring at age 93 after 35 years of service. (Source: Indianapolis Recorder)