By L. Kay Kirby, 4th Episcopal District
Bethel Cathedral African Methodist Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Dr. Carlos Wesley Perkins and first lady, the Rev. Carla S. Perkins, celebrated 185-years of service to God and the Indianapolis Community during three days of worship, fellowship, and revival on December 10-12, 2021, and January 15, 2022, at the former historic site at 414 West Vermont Street. This historic celebration helped complete the circle of returning to the former Bethel site, which the church occupied for more than 169 years. Since selling the landmark site to SUN Developments in 2016, Bethel Cathedral has relocated to the northwestern region of Indianapolis in Pike Township, where a new 13-acre campus includes a new worship center, an early childhood development center, and a community resource center.
The historic site at 414 West Vermont Street is now the home of Hilton’s newly constructed Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites. In purchasing the former Bethel property, it was required for the developers to adhere to Bethel’s confirmed listing on the National Historic Registry and the Indiana State Historic Registry. By incorporating much of the original structure, décor, and history of the 185-year-old edifice, the joint hotel venture secured the facility’s future, repurposing the building while cementing its historicity for visitors to learn from and enjoy during their stay.
Under the theme, “Enduring Faith in Faithless Times,” the 185th Anniversary commenced on Friday, December 10, 2021, with a cultural kickoff at Bethel Church, 6417 Zionsville Road. The evening was a gathering of descendants whose ancestors had migrated from Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, the Carolinas, Virginia, and other eastern states to settle in Indiana. We gathered honoring ancestors from the Motherland and the Caribbean whom slave traders brought shackled to a strange place that our ancestors would later call home. The evening was a remembrance of the founding of their 1836 Dwelling Place.
The evening’s celebration: “Tulikotoka: From Whence We Came,” focused on our African Methodism across the diaspora through the spoken word, music, history reviews, drumming, cultural dance, delicious dining, and beautiful table displays. Brother Derrick Slack, an educator from the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township School District, ministered culturally relevant spoken word. The congregation viewed “The Spirit of African Methodism,” a documentary produced by the AME Church. Sister AshLee Baskin, a performing artist, presented a multi-sensory, multimedia celebration of Blackness triumphs, setbacks, perseverance, and resilience experienced by people of color in the United States. The buffet included African, Caribbean, and “Down Home” cuisine. The evening’s activities closed with a liturgical dance from Jesus’ Anointed Messengers (JAM), Miss Jemila C. Perkins, and Brother Angel Madlock, a dance duo.
On Sunday, December 12, 2021, the congregation came together virtual and in-person to celebrate God’s continued faithfulness. High praise and worship, reflecting African Methodism’s rich history and legacy, filled the sanctuary and the virtual space. The 59th elected and consecrated Bishop and the first female Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, served as the guest speaker. Her partner in ministry and marriage, Presiding Elder Dr. Lawrence Jefferson-Snorton, was also in attendance. Bishop Jefferson-Snorton preached from the anniversary theme, “Enduring Faith in Faithless Times,” from Hebrews 12:2, encouraging the congregation to keep our eyes on God. She reminded us that while the times are uncertain, our faith has always been certain in God.
On Saturday, January 15, 2022, the Bethel Cathedral AME Church greeted family, friends, and neighbors to the Black Tie Anniversary Reception and Gala at the former site of Bethel (414 W. Vermont St.). Ecumenical and community guests included: Bishop John Franklin White, Presiding Prelate of the 4th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; Presiding Elder, the Rev. Leonora G. Williams, North District, Indiana Conference; the Rev. Henry Peterson, Sr., Pastor, Warmack Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; the Rev. Charles Gaines, Pastor, Legacy of Jesus Christ Church; the Rev. John Russell, Pastor, University United Methodist Church; Ms. Annette Johnson, Trustee, Pike Township; Ms. Catherine B. Woodard, President of Indiana Conference Lay Organization; Mr. Bharat Patel, President and Chief Executive Officer of SUN Development & Management Corporation, and Ms. Dellyn Williams, Indiana Conference Choir Director.
The full-circle experience of this gala held at the historic Bethel sanctuary solidified the congregation’s resolve to honor its roots. The occasion would not seem like a big deal unless one knew the history, but for those who grew up in God’s House, Bethel, the experience was tremendously significant. The Rev. Louis S. Parham and Bethel’s Board of Trustees sold this original church property in 2016 to Mr. Bharat Patel, who agreed to maintain the integrity of the historic church building’s physical structure. All attendees were able to see the renovation and restructuring of the former sanctuary, fellowship hall, and office space.
During the event, the Rev. Dr. Perkins led the dedication of the Rev. Louis Sidney Parham Room, which was the original balcony level of the sanctuary but now servers as a banquet and conferencing space. The Rev. Parham pastored Bethel Cathedral from 2014 to 2018. The hotel’s two main ballrooms are named in recognition of the work and contributions of Bishop Richard Allen and Bishop William Paul Quinn. The History Frame is affixed to the wall outside the Parham Room and dedicated to the memory of church historian Frances Connecticut Stout who served from 1944 to 2004. The original stained glass windows of the church have been restored and installed in their rightful place.
The gala’s evening entertainment included music by Sound Table Productions and Church Comedy from Mr. Robert Day. In addition, Indianapolis native Minister Keisha D. Ballinger shared her call to minister to God’s people through praises, song, and the spoken word. Although the landmark site is now a hotel complex and displays some of Bethel’s legacy, Bethel Cathedral AME Church continues to thrive at its present location, 6417 Zionsville Road. Under the dynamic leadership of the Rev. Dr. Perkins and the ministerial staff in its fourth year, the congregation has embraced the significant legacy of Bethel AME Church, with great expectations, and in the Spirit of Elevation, rejoices in what is yet to come.
Carole Ervin-Brown, Steward Pro-Tem, and Olivia J. McGee-Lockhart, Keeper of Bethel History, contributed to this article.
