Bethel Temple Church of God in Christ

The Church Where Everybody Is Somebody!

Bethel Temple was the first church of the holiness churches in the state of Texas, founded and organized by Elder James Blakeney. Not given the name Bethel Temple in its beginnings, it was called the "Holiness Church". Elder Blakeney came from Arkansas; he was a tall, light-skinned man with curly hair--very distinguished. He and his wife were parents of three children--two sons and a daughter. Prayer meetings were held in a prostitute's house in brush arbor in tent-condition. She later was converted. The house was then turned into a mission located in a low-swamp area called "Tin Cup Alley", which is near Locust and Beckham Street today. This was where the first services were held. Elder Blakeney saw the need for adequate accommodation as the congregation grew. The first land was purchased August 3, 1989 at 903 West Palace and Front. It was a small building with sawdust covered floors, plank benches, torch lights, hinged shutters, and nets were put around windows in the daytime. Platforms were for the saints, and the sinners sat or stood on sawdust. Services did not contain any literature; the bible was used for every service including Sunday school. Every service would open with prayer and testimonies. Sunday school would hold sometimes until 2:00 pm and the saints would go home, eat, and return for service. Streets were dirt and muddy--no cars, very few wagons, and horse and buggies. Elder Blakeney conducted many services. Some were held in the late Dr. Morgan's office on Spring Street around 1914. People got saved there. For about four or five years during Elder Blakeney's ministering, Bishop S.D. Lee, Sr. and Elder Noble Campbell were bench members. Elder Blakeney would let Bishop Lee conduct funerals. In 1912, the church became nationally affiliated with the Church of God in Christ, Inc. under Elder Blakeney's leadership. In 1918, Elder Blakeney moved to California and Bishop Page sent Elder W.H. Thomas from F.T. Worth as overseer. Elder Thomas was there a few months until Bishop Page appointed Bishop S.D. Lee, Sr. as leader and pastor. The church continued to grow as others came into the knowledge of the Holiness church. In the 1930s, Bishop Lee saw the need for more space to house the members. At this time the building was remodeled with the help of Bro. Roland Henry and Elder Noble Campbell. The church held between 125 to 140 members. They also put in dining rooms and restrooms. During this time is when Bishop Lee named the church Bethel Temple Church of God in Christ. It became the mother church of the Texas East Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ, Inc. Bishop Lee pastored the church for 65 years. He later saw another need to move into a building suitable for the congregations needs with ample parking. The church relocated on Sunday, July 3, 1982 to its present edifice, 1914 Garden Valley Rd., with help from brothers like: Bro. Nolan Ross, Bro. Benny Freeman, Bro. J.C. Moore, Bro. Steve Caddell, Sr., and Bro. Earsell Williams, who stood tall during our move to this present location. Our late Bishop was blessed to see this happen. He served in this edifice for almost one year before the Lord called him home at the age of 93. The former presiding Bishop of the Churches of God in Christ, Inc., Bishop Chandler Owens, served as overseer of Bethel Temple for several months. On August 5, 1984 Elder Larry D. Wade, Sr. was officially installed as Pastor of this church. He launched an aggressive program for the future called " A New Day", copyrighted in 1991. "A New Day" has provided a model for other churches to follow--as well as a guide for which Bethel can adhere. He said our church "must grow and grow, and we must help to make it so." Since Elder Wade's installation as pastor, the church membership has grown from 150 to about 400. Under Elder Wade's leadership, we have acquired adjoining properties including a house doubling our acreage; we have put in new carpet, padded pews, and acquired new professional sound system equipment. Also, our church membership has almost tripled in size. We have a more updated accounting system for our business affairs. We also have a large staff of departmental and auxiliary workers. We have purchased two buses--a Blue Bird diesel-engine bus and a 48-passenger MC7. They have carried our congregation long distances across the country and have also been charted by other groups. We are grateful to God for our Outreach Ministry which enables us to spread the good news of Jesus Christ; for He said, "go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." Our church has been on radio for over ten years, television for over three years, and has a growing Communications Department with audio and video sales. We have a weekly television broadcast on channel 38 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Fridays. Services are also aired from 7:00 am to 7:30 am on KZEY 690 AM. Presently, we are under the construction of a 14,000 square-foot facility. Pastor Wade is seeing his vision unfold. We are expanding and renovating our church home. Additional space will be centered on youth to keep them off the streets. With this new facility our members will be more mentally, spiritually, and physically fit. For, Bethel Temple has touched upon many lives, both far and near. This great church has had three pastors in its 102-year history. Bethel Temple is on the move to win souls for Christ. We salute you Bethel Temple, may God continue to bless this grand ole' Church of God in Christ.