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.
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.
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.
The Lord has sent several leaders who have guided His congregation
Rev. Isaac Brown, 1859-1864 Rev. G H. Veal, 1917-1922
Rev. James Steward, 1865-1873 Rev. I. Washington, 1923-1924
Rev. Edward Brown, 1873-1875 Rev. David Canty, 1924-1937
Rev. George Gibbons, 1875-1878 Rev. C. B. Wilson, 1938-1940
Rev. John Nesbit, 1879-1881 Rev. Sherman Baker, 1940-1950
Rev. J. M. Jones, 1882-1889 Rev. E. J. Dyson, 1950-1951
Rev. John Habersham, 1890-1898 Rev. Louis Scott Stell, Jr., 1952-1985
Rev. A. H. Harrison, 1899-1902 Rev. Willie J. Outler, 1985-1987
Rev. R. B. Simpkins, 1902-1905 Rev. Norris Darden, 1987-1993
Rev. Lawrence Blair, 1905-1910 Rev. Herman Woods, 1993-1994
Rev. R. B Sutton, 1911-1913 Rev. Willie Gwyn, 1994-1998
Rev. B. J. Parker, 1913-1917 Rev. Wilson Scott, Jr. 1999-2018
Rev. Paul E. Smith, 2021-Present