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Reverend Timothy White, D.D.

More than four thousand men, women, and children joined the landmark church at 265 Bergen Street in Brooklyn, New York, the first African American church built from the ground up in South Brooklyn, a culturally diverse borough bordering Manhattan.

In 1888 Reverend Timothy White, D. D., our founder and first pastor, was born in Buckingham County, Va., came North to Brooklyn, New York at an early age.  He allied himself with the Concord Baptist Sunday School, under the Rev. Dr. Dixon, Pastor. When the Holy Trinity Baptist Church was organized under Rev. S. W. Timms, 

Reverend White was called to the ministry in 1904 and gave his trial sermon in 1905.  Where after the Holy Trinity Baptist Church authenticated Reverend White his license to preach. On May 13, 1906 with the assistance of Pastor Timms, Rev. White organized the Holy Trinity Baptist Mission.

In 1907, Reverend White was ordained to preach the Gospel and gradually the Mission became successful and developed into a full-fledged effort that was able to subsist without the assistance of Trinity. Subsequently the name Bethel was given to Rev. White in a dream. On April 16, 1907, the Mission was renamed the Bethel Baptist Church. Pastor White appointed three boards: Deacon, Trustee, and Missionary.

In August 1943, Pastor White transitioned from labor to reward. After his passing, the Reverend L.T. Chapman, former Sunday School Superintendent and Assistant to the Pastor, became the second Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church.

Reverend Luther T. Chapman

Our second pastor was born in Greenville, South Carolina.
 
He came to New York on January 1, 1917. He joined the Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Timothy White.  Reverend Chapman immediately connected himself with the Sunday School and later was appointed a teacher.  After three years he  became Superintendent of the Sunday School department.  He served for seventeen years in this capacity.  He was a member of the Senior Usher Board, and the Chairman of the  Board of Trustees.  In August of 1936, God called Reverend 
Chapman to the ministry.  He attended classes at the National Bible Institute of
New York City, and was licensed to preach God’s Doctrine.  On November 17, 1938, Reverend Chapman was ordained as Assistant Pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church.  He served in this role for five years. 
 
On August 15, 1943, Reverend Chapman became Pastor of this great church.  By his faith an inspiration, he led the completion of many projects that were already under construction. Under his leadership the church continued in its growth in membership.
During his time many projects were accomplished, a Parsonage was purchased, the mortgage of the new Church was burned, and the redecoration of the Sanctuary was completed.  From 1943 to 1960, Reverend Chapman continued to lead the Church in its growth and development until “God said well done my good and faithful servant.”

Reverend Paul T. Pruden

The Reverend Paul T. Pruden was born in New Bern, North Carolina. He attended Adkin High School in Kinston, North Carolina. In 1936 he attended New York City College. Additionally, he attended Shelton College (aka National Bible Institute). He was an Sgt. in the Armed Forces. He served in England, France, and Germany. Rev. Pruden received a Good Conduct Medal and Medal of the Rhine River while in the Armed Forces. He was Honorably Discharged.
 
Reverend Pruden joined Bethel Baptist Church in 1945 under the leadership of the late Pastor L.T. Chapman. Pastor L.T. Chapman passed on April 1, 1960.

Reverend Paul T. Pruden, who had been ordained by Pastor Chapman, became the Interim Pastor. Rev. Pruden performed all of the duties of a pastor officiating many marriages and visited the sick. Many were saved during his leadership. Rev. Pruden kept the church together until Reverend W.J. Hall came to bethel in the summer of 1961.was ordained by Pastor Chapman and became the Interim Pastor Church, where he continued to do so for 35 years.

Reverend Dr. Willie James Hall

In October 1961 Reverend Willie James Hall was installed the third pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church and served for more than 4 decades. Under Dr. Hall’s leadership, membership increased immensely.
 
His many accomplishments greatly enhanced the reputation and presentation of Bethel, which included renovating the church three times, new pews, a Hammond Organ, a new piano, wall-to-wall carpeting, a new roof, and central air-conditioning.
Bethel entered a new level of service to the community with the founding of the Bethel Baptist Day Care Center as well as the Brooklyn multipurpose self-help counsel. As a result of the council, South Brooklyn Family Planning Clinic was established, treating hundreds of young children and adults for free.Bethel entered a new level of service to the community with the founding of the Bethel Baptist Day Care Center as well as the Brooklyn multipurpose self-help counsel.
 
On October 29, 2005, Pastor Dr. W.J. Hall retired as Pastor. On July 7, 2011 at the age of 82, Rev. Dr. Willie James Hall was called by God from labor to reward.

Reverend Dr. H. DeVore Chapman

Our fourth pastor, Rev. Dr. H. DeVore Chapman, also born in Greenville, South Carolina was the grandnephew to our second pastor, Rev. Luther T. Chapman.  Rev. Chapman would visit New York every summer as a young man and New York would eventually become his home. He attended Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina as well as Fordham University in New York.

He joined Bethel under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Willie James Hall where he became active in different ministries.  In 1968, Rev. Chapman  was ordained to preach the Gospel by Rev. Dr. W. J. Hall. His calling led him to pastor Greater Bright Light Baptist 

Church, where he continued  to do so for 35 years.

Life became full circle for Dr. Chapman, as he was led back to where it all began for him.  Commencing in May 2005, Reverend Dr. H. DeVore Chapman began serving as Pastor-elect of Bethel Baptist Church and on November 1, 2005,
 
Dr. Chapman was called to lead Bethel Baptist Church as senior Pastor. He was installed on December 4, 2005.
 
Under Dr. Chapman’s leadership, many accomplishments were made. In 2006, a new van was purchased. Also in 2006, Phase I of our church beautification process was completed. This included interior and exterior renovations and re-wiring of the entire church. In June 2012, it was the vision of our Pastor to have new pews installed and in September 2012 new doors were the latest addition to the beautification of our church.
 
It is with that same zeal that we the Bethel family continue  working on  our pastor’s vision of Phase II;  which is the expansion of our Annex Building because on December 18, 2012, Rev. Dr.  H. DeVore Chapman was called home to eternal rest.