Did you know that Bethlehem Baptist Church started as an outgrowth of the Macedonia Baptist Church in 1872? Faithful members wanted their own place. After the Civil War, they met twice a month at Douglas Hall in Anacostia. Douglas Hall stood at the corner of Nicholas Avenue and Howard Road.
Reverend Henry Scott became Bethlehem’s first pastor. In 1876, Bethlehem purchased land across from Douglas Hall. They built their first church there. Mr. John Anderson, a charter member, helped a lot with the land and construction. During the 1800s, Bethlehem had three ministers. They were Rev. Henry Scott, Rev. Phillips, and Rev. Joseph Matthews.
Rev. Joseph Matthews became the minister in 1892. He served until his death in 1919. Rev. John Marshall, his friend and assistant, took over for a year. In 1921, he left Bethlehem. He started Matthews Memorial Baptist Church to honor Rev. Matthews.
In 1926, Rev. James C. Banks became the pastor. He was a Bible scholar from South Boston, Virginia. He served faithfully for 19 years. In 1945, he retired with a lifetime salary. This was a new thing for Baptist churches at the time.
Several ministers led Bethlehem Baptist Church over the next years. Then, Rev. Willie B. Allen arrived from Richmond, Virginia, in 1954. Membership grew under his leadership. The groundbreaking for a new church was in May 1954. Construction started in 1955. The cornerstone was laid on May 27, 1955.
Since December 5, 1957, Rev. James E. Coates has been Bethlehem Baptist Church’s pastor. He has served for over sixty years. Early in his time, the church paid off its mortgage in twelve years instead of twenty. Under his leadership, the church became a center for community improvement and social action in Anacostia.
Bethlehem Baptist Church is located at 2458 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE in Washington, DC. It sits at the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Howard Road. You can easily reach it from the Anacostia Station on the Metrorail Green Line. Just walk one block toward Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue.
At Bethlehem Baptist Church, disciples practice “Love in Action”. You’re encouraged to show love in everything you do. Services are held on Sundays at 10:15 am. The church also hosts a Resurrection Power Deliverance Center on Fridays. Evangelistic Joy Night takes place on the fourth Friday of each month. Bethlehem Baptist Church continues to be a beacon of faith and community in Anacostia.