BETHEL AME CHURCH’S 172ND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Congregants of the historic Bethel AME Church on November 21, 2015  in an afternoon of reflection, song and prayer during the church’s 172nd anniversary luncheon at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, were joined by Dr William Spencer-Suffolk Legislator, Jo-Anne Raia-Town Clerk, and Chad Lupinacci NY State Assemblyman.

Left to right Chad Lupinacci, Rev Jennings, Jo-Anne Raia, Dr. Spencer

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci presented the church, led by Rev. Larry Jennings, Sr., a New York State citation marking the momentous occasion for Huntington Town’s oldest African-American church congregation, and applauded the church for its ongoing legacy of serving the Huntington community.

“Through hard work, dedication and faith, Bethel AME Church has reached a significant milestone and continues to make history every time they open their doors for services,” Lupinacci said. “I congratulate every congregant who has helped to make this possible, and eagerly anticipate the church’s 175th anniversary, which is sure to be a joyous occasion.”

Ten “bedrock families” –Point, Jarvis, Nichols, Williams, Seaman, Green, Nelson, Ward, Edwards and Scott families – were honored for their steadfast commitment to Bethel AME Church, which was established in 1843.

According to Huntington Town historians, the original incorporators of the church were brickyard workers employed in the Crossman Brickyards on Huntington’s West Neck. The church purchased the 291 Park Avenue property, where it is currently located, from the Huntington Methodist Church in 1844. The current church structure, a wood-frame vernacular church building with Colonial Revival and Gothic details, was built in 1905.