Bethany Baptist Church (South Norfolk)
| Bethany Baptist Church | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Former Berkley, Virginia area of Norfolk, Virginia Current South Norfolk, Virginia area of Chesapeake, Virginia |
| Country |  United States |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| Membership | 2500 + |
| History | |
| Founded | October 8, 1959 |
| Associated people | Minnie Madrey Leola Dyson |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1986 rebuilt 1996 |
| Demolished | 1982 Historical Berkley Church |
| Clergy | |
| Minister(s) | Rev. Dr. Hill |
| Senior pastor(s) | Rev. Dr. Jake Manley Sr. (late pastor) |
| Pastor(s) | Rev. Dr. George H. Spicer (interim pastor) |
| Deacon(s) | Deacon Hines (chairman) |
| Laity | |
| Organist(s) | Rev. Tony Owens (current) Rev. Charles Turner (former) Rev. Burnell(former) |
Bethany Baptist Church of South Norfolk, Virginia is a prominent Black church in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Founded in the late 1950s to early 1960s, it has since had a major influence on the local black community and others. It has become one of the largest churches in the Hampton Roads area.[1]
History
The Bethany Baptist Church was founded on October 8, 1959 by a small group of members of Chesapeake's First Baptist Church South Hill in the home of the late Mrs. Minnie Madrey[2] at 410 Berkley Avenue with 100 chartered members in Berkley[3]. The group wanted to advance the spiritual life in the Berkley community. In November 1959 the congregation began to seek a church edifice for parishioners to worship. The former Chestnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South now located in Virginia Beach, Virginia was purchased located at 523 Chestnut Street in the Berkley community.[3]. In the early 1980's the interstate I-464 was being constructed passing through the portion of Berkley where the church was located. As result in 1982 the Virginia Highway Department VDOT acquired the building.[3] The church held services in the Teamsters Union Local #822 on 822 Bartee St. in Norfolk, Virginia off Military Highway near Military Circle Mall. In 1985 the church began to erect a church at it's present location at 2587 Campostella Rd. in Chesapeake, Virginia. The church's first service in this edifice commenced on Sunday, March 2, 1986. In 1996 the church build a new edifice to accommodate the increasing membership with and addition built in 2008.
Pastors
Rev. E.C. Walton (1959-1962)
Rev. Roy Edler (1962-1967)
Rev. Dr. C.M. Heidelberg (1967-1968)
Rev. William A. Dyson Sr. (1968-1975)[4]
Rev. Dr. Jake Manley, Sr. (1975-2013)[5]
Attendance
In 1959 the church began with 100 members. In the 1990s church membership began to increase. Currently estimates a membership of 2000-2500 parishioners.[5][3]
Events
In 2013 the church hosted the Citywide Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, part of the City of Chesapeake’s 50th anniversary observance. [6]
Community Work
In 1988, the Late Rev. Jake Manley, Sr. founded the Showers of Blessings, a spiritual and life-skills ministry with two women of the church. Over the years, it has served thousands, many of them drug addicts ordered by the courts into the program who's lives were transformed by the ministry.
References
- ^ Sheler, Jeff (21). "South Norfolk pastor helped those without hope". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ WATSON BATTS, DENISE (3). "MINNIE GREGG MADREY - 1912-2001 MOURNERS HAIL NORFOLK MODEL CITIZEN". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b c d Leonard E. Colvin (23 May). "Rev. Jake Manley: 'He Will Be Missed'". New Journal and Guide. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "HISTORY OF THE CHURCH". greatermtzion.org. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ a b Kristin Davis (1). "Chesapeake pastor answers his calling, day or night". The Virginian Pilot. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Martin Luther King Jr. events around town". The Virginian-Pilot. 20. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
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