Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church dedicated

There was cause for celebration in Chariton during mid-July, 1907, when the new Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church building was dedicated.

The new building was located on the same lot where the original church, dedicated Nov. 4, 1888, had stood until it was destroyed by a chimney fire early Sunday morning, March 24. That lot now forms part of the Carpenters Hall parking lot along Court Avenue, west of the square and north of Columbus School.

A preview of the dedication (left) was published in The Chariton Leader of July 4, 1907.

At the time, the pleasant shaded grounds around Columbus School also functioned as a public park and that's where the dedicatory services were held. So after a basket dinner on the grounds, the services got underway at 2 p.m., reported upon as follows in The Chariton Patriot of July 18.

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The African M.E. Church, recently erected in the southwest part of town, was dedicated with imposing ceremonies last Sunday. The services were held in the yard of the south school building and were attended by a large number of people, many of whom were not negroes.

Rev. Wright,  pastor of the church, presided. The music was by the choir of the A.M.E. church of Albia. Rev. Evans of the First M.E. church, Rev. Palmer, of the Baptist, Rev. McCullagh of the Presbyterian and Rev. Munn of the United Presbyterian assisted in the services.

The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Edward Jackson, of the A.M.E. church of Buxton, and the Patriot reporter can say, with all others who heard him, that he is one of the best pulpit orators who has ever talked to a Chariton congregation.

After the sermon, a free-will offering was taken to defray the indebtedness of the church. Rev. Evans, assisted by Rev. Palmer and Rev. Munn, took the offering. The money raised by these gentleman on Sunday and since, $120, leaves the church entirely free from debt and the workers of the congregation of this new little church will not be called upon to put forth further effort to pay for their building, which has been built largely through the work of the pastor, Rev. Wright.

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The A.M.E. congregation remained active into the 1930s, then closed as its members aged and died. Children of the founding families found no opportunities in Lucas County, especially during the Great Depression, and moved elsewhere to find work. I have no idea when the building was sold, turned to other uses and then torn down.