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The History & Legacy of BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2720 Webster Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219
Bethel A.M.E. Church is the first African Methodist Episcopal Church west of the Allegheny Mountains and the oldest African American congregation in the City of Pittsburgh. In 1808, a church known as the “African Church” was organized in a home on Front Street. By 1812, the congregation had grown to twenty members. In 1818, three freedmen—James and George Coleman and Abraham Lewis—organized a Sunday School in a home in an alley near the Way House, located between Third and Fourth Avenues near Smithfield Street, now a bustling business district in downtown Pittsburgh. That same year, Bethel received its official charter.
Legendary Leadership: Early History
In 1818, the Baltimore Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was petitioned to recognize Bethel as a congregation and send a minister. Minister David Smith arrived in the fall of that year, but soon left to establish a church in Washington, Pennsylvania. In 1822, the Conference sent Bishop Paul Quinn as a full-time minister. The congregation continued to grow, reporting 84 adult members in 1824.
As membership increased, the church purchased a former Methodist Church building on Strawberry Way in 1827, followed by another church on Front Street in 1830. That same year, Bethel hosted the Conference under Bishop Morris Brown, the second Prelate of the A.M.E. Church.
Rev. Lewis Woodson: Abolitionist & Educator Rev. Lewis Woodson, a longtime pastor of Bethel, played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad and was a pioneer of Black nationalism. In 1831, he founded a school for Black children, which evolved into Miller African Centered Academy in Pittsburgh, PA.
In 1844, Bethel hosted the 8th General Conference, where a resolution was passed to establish a Seminary of Learning, leading to the creation of Payne Theological Seminary and contributions to Wilberforce University, the oldest privately owned HBCU in America.
Woodson was a prolific writer, contributing to newspapers like The Mystery, a Pittsburgh-based Black newspaper, and other abolitionist publications. He often used the pseudonym "Augustine" to distinguish his identity, advocating for Black self-governance and challenging the reliance on white-led efforts. His writings focused on:
- Slavery would not end solely through white benevolence—African Americans had to take control of their destiny.
- Emancipation must be followed by self-determination—Black communities needed land, education, and businesses.
- Black-led movements were essential—freedom had to come through Black leadership, not white abolitionists.
Woodson vs. Frederick Douglass: The Debate on Black Freedom Woodson and Frederick Douglass had well-documented ideological differences:
- Douglass believed in full integration and collaboration with white abolitionists.
- Woodson emphasized Black self-reliance, land ownership, and independent institutions.
This debate influenced later Black nationalist leaders like Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. Woodson’s ideas also aligned with Martin Delany, who advocated for Black self-governance.
Challenges, Resilience & Reparations Victory
- 1845 Fire – A great fire destroyed Bethel, but the congregation rebuilt on Wylie Avenue and Elm Street.
- Urban Renewal & Displacement (1957) – Bethel’s property was taken for the construction of the Civic Arena, forcing the congregation to relocate.
- 1959 New Church – Under Rev. Charles S. Spivey, Jr., land was purchased on Webster Avenue, and the new church was completed under Rev. J. G. Harris.
- 2023 Land Reclamation & Restorative Justice Victory – In historic reparations win, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Dale B. Snyder, Sr. Bethel successfully reclaimed 1.5 acres of land in the Lower Hill District, originally taken through eminent domain in the 1950s for the Civic Arena. This unprecedented agreement, negotiated with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the Sports & Exhibition Authority, and the City of Pittsburgh, marked a major step in healing the trauma of Bethel’s displacement. Bethel plans to develop low-moderate-income housing on this land, restoring a lost piece of Pittsburgh’s Black history and setting a national precedent for restorative justice.
Community Impact & Present-Day Ministry
Bethel A.M.E. Church remains a pillar of faith and service:
- Women’s Missionary Society
- MOB (Men of Bethel) Ministry, Sons of Allen
- Women’s Ministry
- The Bethel Food Pantry provides monthly assistance to local families
- Social Justice Ministry focuses on Voter engagements, Registration, Get out the Vote
- Community concerns and advocacy
- Christian Education & Youth Ministries continue training the next generation
- Bethel’s History Committee
- Docuseries Committee
- Community Development Team – pursing low to moderate income housing, afterschool programs, and wrap-around services to empower the community
Legacy & Leadership
Many distinguished pastors have led Bethel, including:
- Rev. Lewis Woodson
- Bishop John D. Bright (became a Bishop in 1960)
- Rev. Charles S. Spivey, Jr.
- Presiding Elder James McLemore
- Rev. Dr. Dale B. Snyder (current pastor)
For over two centuries, Bethel A.M.E. Church has been a guiding force for moral, spiritual, and cultural advancement, ensuring its legacy endures for generations to come.
Dale B Snyder, Sr. is a second-generation AME Pastor in the Third Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He has served as Pastor of the following churches: Bethel Massillon AME Church in Massillon, Ohio 1994-1995; St. John AME Church in Youngstown, Ohio 1996-1998; Mt. Moriah AME Church in Maple Hts., Ohio 1998-2004; Quinn Chapel AME Church in Cleveland, Ohio 2004-2006; Bethel AME Church in Columbus, Ohio 2006-2016; 2016-2019 St James AME Erie PA. currently at Bethel AME Church Pittsburgh.
Dale is a veteran of the US Army where he served as a chemical operations specialist. Hold the following certification from Ohio Labors Training School, Explosive Handler, Pipe Laying by Lazer, Construction Blue Prints 1&2, asbestos abatement and Lead Foreman. Member of International Union of Operating Engineers; Journeyman Skilled on Dozer, Track hoe, Back Hoe, Mobile Crane and Loaders, Certifications in Supervisors Management 1 and 2 from NC State University, Certification from Ohio Parks & Recreation Association in Management & Leadership Development He graduated from David Myers University with a BS in Corporate Management and a BS in Business Administration. He also graduated from Ashland Theological Seminary Degree in Black Church Studies. Master of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary. He received his Doctoral degree from Payne Theological Seminary. Dale has a vast amount of business experience owning various businesses for over 20 years and managing government agencies for 14 years before committing to ministry full-time.
In 2012, Pastor Snyder was the recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award which was presented by the Columbus Education Association for his work to defeat issue 5 the collective bargaining bill in the state of Ohio.
Pastor Snyder currently serves in the following positions within the community: Social Action Director for the Third Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Inc. 2010-currently; Past-President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Columbus, Ohio and Vicinity 2013- 2016; Board member of Ohio Unity Coalition; and member of We Believe Ohio, Pastors in Mission, Metropolitan Area Church Council. Board Member of Minority Brand which manages Bounce TV Columbus. Dale is married to Carmalita Snyder and this blended family has adult seven children.
The Church On The Hill With The Mountain Top Experience.