Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Incorporated became an entity on February 5, 1859. At this time a group of young Christian men and women ventured out in search of a place to worship the Almighty God. These individuals, including Jerry Burke, Frank Lloyd and Eli Brown, obtained a letter from the First African Baptist and congregated with officials at Stovall Hall on East Liberty Street to organize what is now known as Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Incorporated.

The Bethlehem congregation continued to worship at Stovall Hall until 1870.  At this time, Bethlehem entered into a deed of exchange with James Cann, giving up Lot #66 Screven Ward for Lot #48 Crawford Ward.

A framed drawing of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, established in 1859, depicted as a wooden church with a tall steeple and trees around it.

The congregation started worshipping in the new Church in 1872 and remained in this building until the 1940’s.  During the 1940’s, the City of Savannah condemned the original Church building which had served as the place of worship for 75 years.  In 1945, under the leadership of Rev. Sherman Baker, plans were finalized to build a new Church.  By April 9, 1946, he and the congregation marched on the site of the new Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Incorporated and on December 15, 1946 the new Church structure was completed.

A photo showing the exterior of the church. The picture quality and colors suggests it may have been taken on a film camera. The colors are washed out

In 1995, Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Incorporated held groundbreaking ceremonies for the addition of the L. Scott Stell, Jr. Education Fellowship Building.  The building was completed in April 1996.  This expansion gave Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Incorporated the additional space needed for the Church to grow and offer more educational programs for its members and the community.

Under the leadership of our current pastor, Rev. Paul E. Smith, the Church completed a major renovation of the sanctuary and main building in 2023.

A view of the church from the central aisle, prior to the 2023 renovation
A view of the church from the balcony, prior to the 2023 renovation
A view of the church from the central aisle after the 2023 renovation. The pews , teh carpet, the stage the altar is on, and the podium are all new and more modern.
A view of the church from the balcony, after the 2023 renovation. The altar has been extended, ithe space feels more open, there are 2 digital screens on the wall behind the altar.

The Lord has sent several leaders who have guided His congregation

Rev. Isaac Brown, 1859-1864

Rev. James Steward, 1865-1873

Rev. Edward Brown, 1873-1875

Rev. George Gibbons, 1875-1878

Rev. John Nesbit, 1879-1881

Rev. J. M. Jones, 1882-1889

Rev. John Habersham, 1890-1898

Rev. A. H. Harrison, 1899-1902

Rev. R. B. Simpkins, 1902-1905 

Rev. Lawrence Blair, 1905-1910 

Rev. R. B Sutton, 1911-1913 

Rev. B. J. Parker, 1913-1917

Rev. G H. Veal, 1917-1922

Rev. I. Washington, 1923-1924

Rev. David Canty, 1924-1937

Rev. C. B. Wilson, 1938-1940

Rev. Sherman Baker, 1940-1950

Rev. E. J. Dyson, 1950-1951

Rev. Louis Scott Stell, Jr., 1952-1985

Rev. Willie J. Outler, 1985-1987

Rev. Norris Darden, 1987-1993

Rev. Herman Woods, 1993-1994

Rev. Willie Gwyn, 1994-1998

Rev. Wilson Scott, Jr. 1999-2018

Rev. Paul E. Smith, 2021-Present

Rev. George Gibbons

Rev. George Gibbons

Rev. John Habersham

Rev. John Habersham

Rev. A. H. Harrison

Rev. A. H. Harrison

Rev. A. A. Blair

Rev. A. A. Blair

Rev. David Canty

Rev. David Canty

Rev. C. B. Wlson

Rev. C. B. Wlson

Rev. Sherman Baker

Rev. Sherman Baker

Rev. E.J. Dyson

Rev. E.J. Dyson

Rev. Louis Scott Stell

Rev. Louis Scott Stell

Rev. Norris Darden

Rev. Norris Darden

Rev. Willie Gwyn

Rev. Willie Gwyn

Rev. Wilson Scott, Jr.

Rev. Wilson Scott, Jr.

Rev. Paul E. Smith

Rev. Paul E. Smith