LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 110th Anniversary of Bethel
Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York, on May 22, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to celebrate the
milestones of those enduring places of worship within the State of New
York which serves the spiritual needs of our citizens; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorat-
ing the 110th Anniversary of Bethel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New
York, on Sunday, May 22, 2016; and
WHEREAS, In celebration of this auspicious occasion, a souvenir jour-
nal will be available to members of the Bethel Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, At an early age, Reverend Timothy White, D. D., the founder
and first pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, moved to Brooklyn, New York;
he joined the Holy Trinity Baptist Church, which was organized under
Reverend S. W. Timms; it was not long before he became a vital member
and Chairman of its Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, Receiving the call to ministry, Timothy White was granted his
license to preach in 1905; in 1906, with the assistance of Reverend S.
W. Timms, Reverend Timothy White organized the Holy Trinity Baptist
Mission, named in honor of the Trinity Baptist Church, located on the
corner of Third Avenue and Warren Street in Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, A prayer group which consisted of Brother Joseph Holland,
Sister Bertha Brooks, Brother Jordan Robinson and fourteen other follow-
ers, formed the nucleus of the Holy Trinity Baptist Mission; and
WHEREAS, In 1907, Reverend Timothy White was ordained to preach the
gospel and gradually the Holy Trinity Baptist Mission was developed into
a full-fledged Baptist Church; on April 16, 1907, the church was renamed
The Bethel Baptist Church; Reverend Timothy White appointed a Deacon
Board, Trustee Board and Missionary Board; and
WHEREAS, In 1912, the property at 263-5 Bergen Street was purchased,
and two years later, the ground was broken to erect the first church
building by Grandmother Timms, the wife of the late Reverend S. W.
Timms; in 1915, the building was completed and it became the first
church built from the ground up by a Black Minister and his congregation
in South Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, Bethel Baptist Church continued to grow and prosper, and
consequently, in 1917, the adjoining lot was purchased; in 1918, the
property situated on the east side of the church, 269 Bergen Street was
also purchased; and
WHEREAS, The membership of Bethel Baptist Church steadily increased,
making it necessary to build a larger church; in 1923, the original
building was knocked down and the present building was erected on the
same site; this new edifice was dedicated on the first Sunday in October
of 1924; and
WHEREAS, After the death of Reverend Timothy White, Reverend L. T.
Chapman, former Sunday School Superintendent and assistant to the
Pastor, became the second Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Reverend L. T. Chapman, the
Church's mortgage was paid off on April 26, 1946; in 1947, the pipe
organ was repaired and 26 chimes were installed, a new roof was added,
and the church was decorated; and
WHEREAS, In 1952, Reverend L. T. Chapman had all of the exterior work
done and every space of the church was waterproofed; four years later, a
lot was purchased next to the church to be used by members and friends
for parking on Sundays; and

WHEREAS, Throughout Reverend L. T. Chapman's tenure, the Bethel
Baptist Church fellowship grew to more than 1,000 members; this excep-
tional leader died on April 1, 1960; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Paul T. Pruden, who had been ordained under Reverend
L. T. Chapman, became the Interim Pastor; in this capacity, he performed
many marriages, visited the sick, and ministered numerous congregants;
and
WHEREAS, In October of 1961, Reverend Willie James Hall was installed
as the third Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church; under his guidance,
membership increased immensely, the church was renovated three times,
new pews, a Hammond Organ and a new piano were bought, and wall to wall
carpeting was installed along with central air-conditioning and a new
roof; and
WHEREAS, Bethel Baptist Church entered a new level of service to the
community with the founding of the Bethel Baptist Day Care Center, as
well as the Brooklyn multi-purpose self-help counsel; as a result of the
counsel, the South Brooklyn Family Planning Clinic was established,
treating hundreds of young children as well as adults free of charge;
and
WHEREAS, In 2001, a new Hammond Organ, new hanging microphones, a
music mixer, and decorative lamps that were hung outside the front of
the church were purchased; one year later, the music department contin-
ued to improve the sound system, allowing services to be heard in the
lower sanctuary; in 2003, new furniture was purchased for the pastor's
office by members of the congregation; and
WHEREAS, On May 5, 2003, the members of the Bethel Baptist Church were
saddened by the loss of their oldest member, Mother Belle Demby who was
107 years-old; and
WHEREAS, Upon the retirement of Reverend Willie James Hall, Reverend
Horace DeVore Chapman was installed as the fourth pastor of Bethel
Baptist Church on December 4, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Under Reverend Horace DeVore Chapman's able management, the
entire church was renovated; in addition, a van was purchased, new
ministries were formed and Bergen Street was renamed Reverend Timothy
White Way, in honor of Bethel Baptist Church's founder; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Horace DeVore Chapman was instrumental in launching
a Bible Study Group, and procuring new chairs for the lower sanctuary,
as well as a roof for the church; he also made sure that every member,
new and old, received a Bible; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, the Bethel Baptist Church renovated the Annex/Cadet
Hall to continue to be a Beacon of Light in its community; and
.SO DOC S R4820 RESO TEXT 2015
WHEREAS, On April 13, 2015, Reverend C. Ramont Morris was elected as
the fifth Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church; he was officially installed
on November 3, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Bethel Baptist Church stands on the threshold of tomorrow,
prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining
that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 110th Anniversary of Bethel Baptist Church in Brooklyn,
New York, fully confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in
those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Reverend C. Ramont Morris, Pastor, Bethel Baptist Church.