Tallahassee's Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church is marking its sesquicentennial this year. The Southside congregation was continuing the celebration over the weekend.
Bethel's present pastor is Julius McAllister. “You know, our church came into being in 1865,” he said. “One-hundred-sixteen members walked out of a United Methodist church here in Tallahassee and started their own church. Today, that church includes a sanctuary on West Orange Avenue that can hold thirteen-hundred worshippers. That's where a health extravaganza and fun walk was held on Saturday (10/24). “Making sure that we are healthy, not only spiritually, but also in mind, body and soul,” Pastor McAllister noted. “It gives us an opportunity to look at the total person, that we’re not just one-sided.” During Sunday's service, Bethel's congregation welcomed a special speaker: FAMU President Elmira Mangum.
