Bethesda Baptist Church

During the critical period of Rev. Bussey’s declining health and passing, Dea. Willie Bowman, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Deacons, was called upon to share the mantel of leadership. The congregation willingly accepted his leadership and continued on a steady course toward the fulfillment of Rev. Bussey’s vision of God’s purpose and plan for this Branch of Zion. While completing the erection of the Sanctuary, Bethesda continued with the other “usual” things, including: regular prayer meeting, Bible study, revival services, ordination of deacons, and initiating the John D. Bussey Scholarship Committee. The church continued to grow spiritually and numerically. Her financial position continued to thrive enabling us to purchase additional property, equipment and furnishings for the new Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was completed and furnished in June 1990. We marched into the new edifice on July 15, 1990, with an appropriate service of thanksgiving which included leaders of the faith community, and elected officials. In November 1990, God blessed us to call a “Joshua” to lead Bethesda to even higher, nobler heights, and greater accomplishments for the cause of Christ.

Rev. A. Michael Black was installed in March 1991. On his first Sunday as pastor of the church, he extended an invitation to the church: “Come, let us cross this Jordan together.” Accordingly, in just eleven years the church has shown remarkable membership and spiritual growth. His voice is being widely heard on both faith and social issues. With his visionary leadership, the church is seeking to bear witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the proclamation of the gospel to all that may hear. His evangelism thrust seeks to fulfill the Great Commission.

We thankfully look from whence we came, and prayerfully look forward to where God will lead us.






	HISTORY OF BETHESDA On March 21, 1921, thirty (30) former members of the Trinity Baptist Church in Ivy City decided to form the Bethesda Baptist Church. This grew out of a fervent prayer meeting in the home of Rev. Pat Patrick. Realizing the need for a “place” of worship, these stalwart founders proceeded to purchase a lot on the corner of Capitol Avenue and Kendall Street, N.E. A big brown tent was erected, where worship services were held until a more permanent structure could be erected. On April 4, 1922, the Church met for the purpose of calling its first pastor, the Rev. William Williams. Under his leadership, the church was incorporated and duly recognized on March 15, 1923. He was a man of great determination believing that a house of God should be fit and proper, and he set about to provide one. In 1952, Rev. Williams led the church to prepare and build a new and larger facility. Tragically, on February 6. 1953, Rev. Williams met with a fatal accident while on his way to a Building Program Business Meeting. The Church continued to work fervently on this project under the guidance of Dea. Forrest M. Hearns, who was Chairman of the Board of Deacons. As a result of the congregation’s dedicated giving, loyalty to service, and devotion to Christ, the building was completed on June 19, 1953, and dedicated to the Lord on June 21, 1953. On the evening of April 9, 1954, the Rev. John D. Bussey was called to be the second Pastor of Bethesda Baptist Church. During his 35 years as pastor, Rev. Bussey, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, led the church to new fields, nobler heights, and more spiritually enriching goals. He was a strong advocate for what was “right”, gaining a Biblical education, and teaching sound doctrine. Under his leadership, an educational building was constructed and the erection of a new worship edifice began. Rev. Bussey went to be with the Lord in September 1989.





	During the critical period of Rev. Bussey’s declining health and passing, Dea. Willie Bowman, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Deacons, was called upon to share the mantel of leadership. The congregation willingly accepted his leadership and continued on a steady course toward the fulfillment of Rev. Bussey’s vision of God’s purpose and plan for this Branch of Zion. While completing the erection of the Sanctuary, Bethesda continued with the other “usual” things, including: regular prayer meeting, Bible study, revival services, ordination of deacons, and initiating the John D. Bussey Scholarship Committee. The church continued to grow spiritually and numerically. Her financial position continued to thrive enabling us to purchase additional property, equipment and furnishings for the new Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was completed and furnished in June 1990. We marched into the new edifice on July 15, 1990, with an appropriate service of thanksgiving which included leaders of the faith community, and elected officials. In November 1990, God blessed us to call a “Joshua” to lead Bethesda to even higher, nobler heights, and greater accomplishments for the cause of Christ. Rev. A. Michael Black was installed in March 1991. On his first Sunday as pastor of the church, he extended an invitation to the church: “Come, let us cross this Jordan together.” Accordingly, in just eleven years the church has shown remarkable membership and spiritual growth. His voice is being widely heard on both faith and social issues. With his visionary leadership, the church is seeking to bear witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the proclamation of the gospel to all that may hear. His evangelism thrust seeks to fulfill the Great Commission. We thankfully look from whence we came, and prayerfully look forward to where God will lead us.

HISTORY OF BETHESDA