New Bethel A.M.E. Church is the product of an Idea that was put into action! At its inception New Bethel was an Idea in the mind of Hattie Grasty, a devout African Methodist whose desire for an active fellowship in her community, led to the gathering of several other Methodists who shared the same desire. The founding families and individuals were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Tilghman, Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Williams, Mrs. Sally Henry, Mrs. Annie Harvey, Mrs. Grace Simmons and Nannie Robinson.
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Continuing with organizing the Crestmont area fellowship of African Methodists, Hattie Grasty contacted Rev. John Whalen of Lamott AME Church –Philadelphia, PA in order that further instruction and organization could be obtained. Rev. Whalen instructed Hattie Grasty to secure a building for worship and consented to serve as religious leader for the fellowship.
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The task of securing an edifice for worship was not simple. The fellowship met and worshiped in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Williams (Nathaniel) while the property located on the Corner of Rubicam and Washington Avenues became available for use. The fellowship met in this rented facility under the leadership of Rev. John Whalen. The facility was later purchased for $1,000.00. Donations for furniture had been obtained from neighbors in the Crestmont area through the work of Mrs. Flora Dempsey (Hattie Grasty’s mother). A Donated organ, pulpit and chairs had been obtained through the efforts of Rev. Whalen via Lamott A.M.E. Church. The first worship service was held on Sunday, September 20, 1918 in the building on Rubicam and Washington Avenues by Rev. J. A. Brown and Rev. John Whalen. Attendees were: Mrs. Elmira Clark, Mrs. Flora Dempsey, Mr. Charles Grasty, Mrs. Hattie Grasty, and Mrs. Nannie Robinson. The church prospered both spiritually and financially.
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Hattie Grasty named the church New Bethel; it was dedicated by Bishop W. H. Heard and admitted into the Philadelphia Annual Conference in May 1919.
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New Bethel AME Church (Willow Grove) was well underway; the land where the present church stands, 1646 Prospect Avenue, was paid for by Presiding Elder W. S. Drummond. A beautiful church edifice was erected, dedicated and then later occupied in 1928. Through the tireless efforts of members, the mortgage was fully paid, however this church family faced hardship as the property was lost during the great depression. New Bethel’s testimony is strong, God is truly faithful! The congregation was able to repurchase the church and it was beautifully renovated.
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By the grace of God, the church continued to prosper through the able leadership of pastors who served the congregation at New Bethel. Former Pastors of New Bethel where Rev. John Whalen, Rev. S.W. Sadler, Rev. E.D. Brown, Rev. H. DeWitt, Rev. Matthew Nutter, Rev. Alison Coble, Rev. Clifford Daniels, Rev. C. Melbourne Smith, Rev. J. Leroy Jones, Rev. A.R. Farrow, Rev. Melvin D. Wayns, Rev. Gwendolyn Allen, Rev. Victor S. Valentine, Rev. Isaac O. Ryder, Rev. Granville Dennison, and Rev. Stephen Michael Lewis.
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Our Current Pastor, Rev. Paul J. Thomas, was appointed to New Bethel by Bishop Richard Franklin Norris on Saturday June 14, 2008 at the closing session of the 1st District Planning Meeting. Receiving this mission, Rev. Thomas stepped into his role at that time as the Youngest Pastor in the 1st District; Since Father’s Day, Sunday June 15, 2008, New Bethel has experienced blessings from God in unprecedented ways. God’s presence is with this body of believers, and lives are being transformed, developed, and empowered! As believers, the membership at New Bethel serves as witnesses to the reality that With God, All Things are possible!
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More than the purchase of land and material things, there has been a concern for the needs of God's people and for the saving of souls. With a renewed focus on Evangelism, Pastor Thomas leads this congregation with a sense of Urgency! "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the hearts of [humans] the things which God hath prepared for them that love [GOD]." 1 Corinthians 2:9. The pastor, officers and members of New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church humbly posture themselves in expectation for what God will do, and how God will do it, with the understanding that If the Lord has need of us, we say Yes to God’s call! | 
