Our Story

The foundation for Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Millen, Inc., was laid during the middle of the nineteenth century; however, little is known of these early years. Public records indicate that Bethel was established during the era when Jenkins County was a part of Burke, Screven, Bulloch, and Emanuel Counties. Use of a tract of land located in the southern portion of Millen (Meyers Hill) was granted for as long as the land was used for worship. Services were to be conducted under the auspices of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1903, acting on behalf of the AME Church, trustees Thomas S. Cooper, George W. Brady, Hattie Cooper, Mattie Dekle, and Sam Robinson made a purchase of land located on Walnut Street in Millen. The Reverend R.A. Whitfield was pastor, the Reverend M.R. Grandenson was Presiding Elder, and the Reverend Henry McNeal Turner was Bishop. A small one-room frame structure was moved in sections to the present site on Walnut Street. Brothers Jack Cooper and John Henry Roberts hauled the structure on a two-horse wagon flat. The larger sanctuary was erected in 1909, with the first cornerstone laid on April 10, 1909. Trustees were Brothers George Brady, Frank S. Cooper, G.B. Richardson, William Miller and S. Patmen.

During the 1950s, the ranks of Bethel increased when Little Bethel AME Church at Scarboro and Allen Chapel at Herndon closed their doors. Several members of these congregations united with Bethel-Millen. Among this delegation were ancestors of the Beal, Brady, Brown, Herrington, Jackson, Patterson, Roberson, Shatteen, Williams, and Wilson families.

Successive decades have been marked by continual improvements to the church facilities. Addition of a multi-purpose annex provided necessary accommodations for informal fellowship and Christian education activities. Strong and visionary leadership from dedicated pastors, officers, and members has allowed Bethel - Millen to live out the true meaning of its creed:

God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, The Holy Spirit Our Comforter, Humankind Our Family.

We believe in God’s Love, God’s Salvation, and God’s Forgiveness to all who believe in him. We know that we are not a perfect church. We believe that God has begun a good work in us and will carry his purpose and plan to completion (Based on Philippians 1:6).

Here at Bethel AME Church of Millen, We Are Becoming whom God has called us to be.