Since 1826 – over 197 years -- Union Bethel has grown and served the Randallstown, Maryland community. The Early Church paved the way for us today. We will forever remember our Elders with pride. They loved and cared for us, and passed a cherished heritage on to us. Our Elders educated us and opened our eyes to the beauty of our past and the hopefulness of our future.
We give thanks to the Lord, and the founders of this congregation, where faithful people gather each week to sing, pray, and serve. We are proud of the rich legacy and heritage of Union Bethel, proud to be African Methodist Episcopal.
Pastoral Leadership in the Early Church
Rev. Crawford • Rev. Grinnage • Rev. A.A. Murray • Rev. Charles Murray • Rev. J.R. Nelson
Rev. M. Barnum • Rev. James M. Boston • Rev. Goings • Rev. J.G. Martin • Rev. Robert Ford • Rev. Young
Rev. James M. Boston (1925-1931) • Rev. L.C. Curtis (1932-1939)
Rev. P.A. Scott (1931-1944) • Rev. Joseph Garner (1944-1946)
Rev. D.A. Makell (1946-1948) • Rev. W. J. Dunlap (1948-1950)
Rev. William N. Edwards (1950-1961) • Rev. Leroy c. Brown (1961-1969)
Rev. Willie K. Woods (1970-1974) • Rev. J.G. Barnes (1974-1980)
Rev. Henry Y. White (1980-1984)
Rev. Charles T. Sembly (1984 to 2022)
Rev. Raymond F. Edmonds, Jr. (2022-Present)
Learn More!
Bishop James Levert Davis, Presiding Prelate Second Episcopal District AMEC
Mother Arelis Beevers Davis, Episcopal Supervisor
Reverend Dr. Jonathan L. Weaver, Presiding Elder, Potomac District
Official Website of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Reverend Mark Tyler, Pastor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Union Bethel Historical Timeline
1820’s
A parcel of land was set aside in Randallstown, Maryland for Negro families to use as a church
1826
Good Hope Church was constructed and organized. It was also known as “Little Log Church.”
1840
Union Bethel (“Little Log Church”) unites with the A.M.E. Church and was assigned to the Baltimore Conference.
1853
Bro. Reuben Stewart emerged as leader of Little Log Church.
St. Thomas Society was established.
1870
A new church structure was completed and the first written deed to the land was obtained. Later, the church was severely damaged by fire and rendered unusable until 1881.
1890
The first mortgage was taken on the church.
1925-1931
Rev. James M. Boston was appointed pastor. Electricity was installed in the church.
1932-1946
Rev. Leroy Brown was appointed pastor and developed the music ministries. He also established a Building Plan.
1950-1961
Rev. William N. Edwards was appointed as pastor. He was instrumental in bringing a sense of family and purpose to the church. Union Bethel was assigned to the Washington Conference in 1952.
1967
A new church structure was built. The new church was dedicated on April 14, 1968.
1970-1974
Rev. Willie K. Woods was appointed pastor. Rev. Woods led the church to burn the mortgage on October 3, 1971.
1974 - 1980
Rev. J.G. Barnes was appointed pastor. The first Lay Organization was formed.
1980-1984
Rev. Henry Y. White was appointed pastor. He led Union Bethel to purchase its first parsonage.
1981
Union Bethel became part of a three-church circuit called the Randallstown Circuit.
1984-2022
Rev. Charles T. Sembly was appointed pastor. Membership blossomed from 200 to over 1,200 members.
1992
1992-Present
Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church stands today with over 1,200 members and more than 45 ministries dedicated to serving Christ.
2022 - Present
The Reverend Raymond F. Edmonds, Jr. was appointed Pastor by James Levert Davis, Presiding Prelate, The Second Episcopal District AME Churh.
