From the
Bethel Baptist Institutional Church website:
Early Church History
In the heart of Jacksonville, Bethel Baptist Institutional Church is recognized as one of the historic monuments among churches in the State of Florida. In July 1838, Reverend James McDonald assisted by Reverend Ryan Frier, organized the first Baptist church in Jacksonville under the title Bethel Baptist Church. There were six charter members: Reverend James McDonald, the first pastor, and his wife; Mr. Elias C. Jaudan, who became the first deacon, and his wife; and two slaves known as Bacchus and Peggy. The first racially mixed meetings were held in the Government Block House, which stood near the County Courthouse. In 1840, the church purchased a lot on the northeast corner of Duval and Newnan Streets and built their first house of worship. The Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida incorporated the Bethel Church on February 10, 1841. William B. Kass, Charles Merrick, Soloman Warren, Elias Jaudan, H. H. Phillips, and A. Ossian Hart, the first trustees, were a part of the incorporation. The church later moved to the LaVilla Area between Duval and Adams Street.
Deacon Jaudan purchased a lot on Church Street, between Hogan and Julia Streets, and gave it to the church. A new church was built and the congregation entered the new building in the spring of 1861. Soon after the congregation started worship services in the new building, the Federal Army took possession of the Bethel Church and used it as a military hospital for wounded soldiers during the Civil War. The church was left in deplorable condition when vacated by the army troops. At the close of the Civil War, an effort was made to separate the Colored and White members but an agreement could not be reached over possession of the property. The opposing fractions went to court and the decision was in favor of the Colored members since they were the majority. They retained the name of the Bethel Baptist Church and were the rightful owners of the Church Street property. A short while after the court’s decision, the Colored members sold the property on Church Street to their White brethren and purchased a lot on the northwest corner of Union and Pine Streets (now Main). In 1868, they erected a one-room frame building where the Bethel Baptist Church congregation worshipped for twenty-seven years and grew from a few souls to several hundred. Also from the separation, the White members established the Tabernacle Baptist Church, located on Church Street, which was later named First Baptist Church (Downtown).
The congregation grew rapidly, over the years, so much so that more space was needed for worship and for training. The building could not be repaired or enlarged because of the extended fire code of the city of Jacksonville. Reverend J. Milton Waldron, Bethel’s fifth pastor, led the congregation in replacing the one-room frame building with a larger more attractive brick house of worship. In 1895, Bethel constructed the first Institutional Church building ever erected in the South by a Colored congregation. It was built of red pressed brick, trimmed with Georgia Marble. The building contained a main auditorium with a seating capacity of 1150 and nine classrooms at a cost of $26,000. It was erected by Colored mechanics under the direction of Colored contractors. This beautiful edifice was in use only a short time before the devastating fire of Jacksonville destroyed it on May 3, 1901. After the fire, the membership bought the River Square bound by Hogan (now McKissick Street), Eagle (now First Street), Julia and Caroline (now Bethel Baptist Street) and began preparations for rebuilding. During this period, the Church established temporary quarters for church services and the Bible Institute in a building that they labeled the “Shack”. Regular services continued in the “Shack” until the completion of the Historic Sanctuary in 1904. The new edifice was not only a church of worship, but it also served as a training center to help Christians prepare for service to mankind.
Present Day Church History
From 1966, Bethel has continuously experienced wide acclaim and phenomenal spiritual and educational growth under the leadership of Pastor Rudolph Waldo McKissick, Sr., the tenth and present Pastor, and the first Pastor to be called from the congregation. Under his leadership, a three story educational and administrative building was dedicated on January 31, 1988. The building complemented the church edifice in both architecture and height. It provided a modern expanded nursery, kindergarten facilities, kitchen and dining room facilities on 1st floor. Facilities found on the 2nd floor include the general offices of: the Pastor, the Christian Education Minister, Pastoral assistant, computer specialist, and Tape Ministry; and rooms for: the trustees, conferences, the credit union, library, music suite, and robing rooms. The 3rd floor provided a large assembly room, twenty-seven church school classrooms, and a church school office. Also, under his leadership, the church purchased additional property; initiated the Living Bequest program; the Capital Stewardship Campaign: established the Bethel Baptist Institutional Federal Credit Union; sponsored the tape ministry program, replaced the original 1905 pipe organ and revived the telephone prayer line. Children’s Church, the Birthday Ministry, and Summer Enrichment Ministries were all added to serve the congregation.
By 1995, Pastor McKissick, Sr. realized that he needed assistance for the rapidly increasing membership, the challenges, and help to move Bethel into the millennium. To meet this need, Pastor Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr. joined Pastor Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr. as his assistant in 1996. In January 1999, Pastor McKissick, Jr. was installed as the eleventh Pastor of Bethel in partnership with Pastor McKissick, Sr. This calling gave Bethel its first dual pastorate. Since the union of this father-son team thousand of souls have been added to the church’s family; the construction and dedication of a $7.5 million edifice to facilitate growth. The structure includes a new Sanctuary and Family Life Center. In addition, the purchase of the Youth’s Center, the Children’s Center, the Bethel’s Christian Conference Center and the Bethelite Christian Bookstore. Under Pastor McKissick, Jr.’s vision, the foundation was laid for numerous ministries which included Joshua’s Generation, karate for youth, the praise singers, the praise dancers, the weekly Sunday morning television ministry during which time viewers can call the church’s prayer line for spiritual guidance and comfort. Reverend McKissick, Jr.’s musical blessing and vision has resulted in the production of two Word and Worship CDs that have received both local and national critical acclaim. In addition to his musical talents, Reverend McKissick, Jr. is a powerful messenger of God who has established himself nationally as an outstanding evangelical speaker.