Bethel A.M.E. Church is planning a reunion to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the church on Sunday, November 12, 2023, 4 p.m. at the church, 2460 Parkview Avenue, Knoxville.
Myron D Hill, Pastor, gave me the history. “Bethel originally was located on Nelson Street, in the location where the new ball field is being built. We were at that location beginning in 1911. We had to move because of Urban Renewal. In 1963, the Holston Conference of the former Methodist Episcopal Church sold the former Park City Methodist Church to the East Tennessee Annual Conference of the AME Church and to Bethel. The first service was held in that building on September 1, 1963 for Bethel. While Bethel itself is well over 100 years old, we’ve been on the corner of Parkview and Chestnut for 60 years. This is the focus of our ‘Anniversary Celebration’. At this service, we are honoring those members who were members on Nelson St and came to Parkview. About 2 dozen persons will be honored.
“Bethel has always had a dynamic music ministry. The ebbs and flows of life has caused persons to be apart of the music ministry at one point but they now serve elsewhere. We are bringing all the persons back to form this reunion choir with our current choir as another highlight to the celebration.”
If you have ever sung in the choir, you are asked to please join the reunion choir whether you are a current member or not.
There will be one rehearsal the week leading up to the celebration so contact the church office Monday-Thursday at 865-444-1159 if you are able to participate.
As the church requests, “Let’s fill the choir stand with melodious song!”
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