Bethel A.M.E. Church was organized in 1887 in Stanley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. A generous man named Charles Stanley donated the land to Stanley Methodist Episcopal Church, Prospect Missionary Baptist Church and Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church.  The land donated to Bethel A.M.E. Church was located at the corner of Walker and Roanoke Avenues in Chattanooga.

The Rev. Murphy was the first pastor of Bethel.  He and a few members prayed, worked and struggled for a church in which to worship. 

In 1890, Rev. White succeeded Rev. Murphy and pastured Bethel until 1893.  During Rev. White's tenure the membership increased and the congregation continued to hope, work and pray in faith of finding a place to worship God under their own "Vine and Fig Tree".

Rev. J. J. Jenkins succeeded Rev. White in 1893; Rev. Jenkins was pastor until 1900.  Under his leadership the membership increased and a new building was begun at the corner of Walker and Roanoke Avenue.  1900 was the year of the birth of the East Tennessee Annual Conference and Bethel was given a charter, recognized and admitted as a member of the newly organized Conference.

Rev. R. H. Reid, Sr. succeeded Rev. Bell.  Rev. Reid pastured Bethel from 1949 to 1951.  Rev. Reid was a dynamic minister and he also increased the membership and kept all departments active.

From 1951 to 1955, The Rev. T. Eugene West was pastor.  During Rev. West's ministry the ground was broken for a new sanctuary.  He also organized a new club known as the Ladies Progressive Guild.  Finances were appropriated for the Building Fund.

The Rev. G. H. Matthews was appointed to Bethel in 1955 and stayed until 1959.  The sanctuary was begun and everyone was filled with great expectation.  The church continued to grow and progress.

The Rev. Edward W. Jackson served as minister from 1960 to 1963.  The membership was increased and all departments were active.  The Church Bond Program was introduced and the new church building was completed along with the purchase of a new parsonage.  History was made in October 1962 when Bethel hosted the East Tennessee Annual Conference.

The Rev. H. L. Parks, Jr. served Bethel from 1963 to 1967.   All departments were active. The Youth Department was really vibrant and the payment on the bond program continued under Rev. Parks.

Rev. L. C. Adkins served as pastor from 1967 - 1981. Rev. Adkins served 14 years. To date, the longest period any minister has been assigned to Bethel. Under his administration all departments were active, especially the Youth Department. The Bond Program was completed ahead of schedule and with the blessing of the Lord along with the untiring efforts of the officers and members the mortgage on the church and the parsonage was burned.  Additionally, several lots were acquired and paved for adequate parking.

The Rev. J. K. Brown was appointed to Bethel on January 1981 and served until 1987.  Rev. Brown's ministry emphasized Evangelism and Social Outreach.  Members were added.  He organized the Council on Leisure Education, Young Adult Club, and The Building Fund Booster Club.  In August of 1982 the new Fellowship Hall was completed.

Rev. Edward W. Jackson was appointed a second time to Bethel in 1987.  He is the first minister marred in the new sanctuary.  He organized Stewardess Board Number 2 and the Hand bell Choir.  The Hand bell Choir is the only black hand bell choir in the city of Chattanooga.  He is dedicated to the A.M.E. Church and promoted peace and harmony among the officers and members.

The Rev. Lawrence O. Twiggs was appointed pastor, November 1993 and served until October 1998.  During his tenure the membership increased.  Rev. Twiggs had a good relationship with the young as well as the senior citizens of the congregation.

The Rev. Freeman Marco Cooper, Sr. was appointed pastor in October 1998 and served until 2001.  Rev. Cooper organized a Youth Committee to work with the youth of the church.

The Rev. Terence L. Mayes, Sr. was appointed pastor in November 2001 and served until May of 2006.  Rev. Mayes organized the "Food for the Soul Enrichment Bible Class (youth/adult), the TLM Outreach Ministry, church worship tape ministry, fourth Sunday fellowship dinner, visionary hour of prayer, radio broadcast, quarterly revival services, youth socials, Tutorial program, Leap of Faith Food Ministry, 8:00 a.m. Worship Service, and employed the first Administrative Assistant in the church's history.  Rev. Mayes purchased additional property on Walker Avenue.

In May of 2006, The Rev. William W. Easley, Jr. was appointed pastor.  Bethel continues to move forward under the dynamic, capable and experienced Christian leadership of our current pastor. Programs which have begun at Bethel, Chattanooga during the Easley Administration: programs of Membership In-Reach and Membership Out-Reach; the "Radical Praise" Liturgical Dance Group; Men's Day Prayer Breakfast and the "100 Men of Chattanooga" Men's Day Activity; initiation of the first Web Page for the Church; incorporation of Young Adults into the Leadership of the Church; reorganization of the Bible Study Program and establishment of the Wednesday Noon Bible Study in memory of Dr. Edward W. Jackson; and initiation of the "Adopt-A-Family In The Neighborhood" at the 2007 Thanksgiving Program. (Beginning with 4 families with children, the church provides the food for the family's entire Thanksgiving Meal).