Here’s the story of Bethlehem Star Missionary Baptist Church. The Bethlehem Star Baptist Church was organized on a Thursday night. The date was January 9, 1947. It happened at Ballard’s Temple. This was in the 1200 block of West Sheridan.
Several ministers were present. Rev. J.D. Provo chaired the meeting. Rev. S.S. Fairley was there. So were Rev. E.A. Keith and Rev. W. K. Jackson. Rev. J.A. Jones and Rev. F. E. Rankin attended too. The list continues with Rev. J. T. Abram. Rev. J. M. Albritton also joined. Rev. W. T. Watts and Rev. A.A. Griffin were present. Rev. M.L. Brown and Rev. J.A. Reed, Sr. completed the group.
Bro. S.F. Flowers suggested the name Bethlehem Star Baptist Church. After the church was organized, 41 members joined. On Sunday, January 12, 1947, Sunday School began. It started at 9:45 a.m. Sis. Ollie Suber was in charge. Sixty-five people attended. Morning service began at 11:00 a.m. Rev. W.T. Watts spoke about “Looking unto Jesus”. He took the message from Hebrews 1:2.
BTU started at 6:00 p.m. Sis. Katherine Ingram led the service. Sixty-four people attended. Night service began at 8:00 p.m. Rev. W.T. Watts preached from James 1:12. His topic was “Trials and the Crown”. The offering for the day was $87.88. Twenty-two members joined the church.
Joel and Lenora Downer were charter members. So were Juanita Arnold and Sunny and Elizabeth Flowers. Katherine Ingram and Polly Barr were also charter members. J. Vance and Maggie Jenkins joined as well. Carrie Brady and Ransom and Rosie Leonard were on the list. Mattie Crimes and Leroy and Rebecca Parks were included. Venus Elliott and Willie Mae Campbell were charter members. Rev. Lewis and Robert and Ada Parks were also on the list. Zeralda Mack and Eddie Roberts were charter members. Beulah Martin and Christine Stewart joined too. Mentory Nichols and Jordan and Lula Stewart were on the list. Sis. Rodgers and Jack and Ollie Suber were charter members. Sis. Ross and Willie and Emma Watson were included. Minnie Suber completed the list.
Rev. W.T. Watts officiated until Dr. Jacobi C. West was called. In the spring of 1947, Bethlehem Star Baptist Church called Dr. West. The church wanted strong leadership. Dr. West accepted and led the church. He helped Bethlehem Star Baptist Church become renowned. It became a church of great influence across the city.
In 1948, the church bought property at 9 South Ellison from J.D. Diggs. The lower auditorium was a boarding house then. The building was renovated. The church moved to 9 South Ellison. The first officers were S.F. Flowers and Miles Stewart. J.D. Stewart and Jack Suber served as deacons. Robert Parks was a deacon too. Mary E. Flowers was Mission President. Emma Watson was Choir President. Maggie Jenkins played the piano. Ollie Suber led Sunday School. Katherine Ingram directed BYPU. Venus Elliott was Church Clerk. J. D. Stewart was Treasurer.
God helped Dr. J.C. West achieve much. The building at 9 S. Ellison was erected in 1953. G.E. Chiles was the builder. The property at the corner of Sheridan and Ellison was purchased in 1968. The lower auditorium was improved. A cooling system was installed. The sanctuary was carpeted. Pulpit furnishings and pews were purchased.
On May 25, 1975, Dr. Jacobi C. West passed away. He had served as Pastor for 28 years. His life blessed many souls. After Dr. West’s passing, Rev. Kendricks officiated. Then the church called Rev. B.U. Smith in May 1976. Rev. James C. Coats was called to preach. Further improvements were made to the lower auditorium. In July 1977, Rev. Smith resigned.
In November 1977, Rev. James C. Coats began to lead. Since then, an active witnessing program started. A building fund was established. A new members class was created. In 1985, property was purchased for a new building. The address was 2704 N.E. 24th St. Two deacons were added. Dorsey Wardsworth and Raymond Pickett, Sr. joined. One associate minister, Rev. Ransom Stanfield, was added. Bethlehem Star has been blessed with several sons in the ministry. These include Rev. Benjamin Ingram and Rev. R.D. Redic. Rev. John Black and Rev. Macon L. Tucker were also included. Rev. W.K. Arnold and Rev. J.C. Coats served. Rev. Ransom Stanfield was also a son of the ministry.