About Bethel AME Church

Bethel AME Church met for the first time as an organized mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Connection on Sunday, October 2, 1921 in the Normandie Hall building under the ministry of Major G.W. Prioleau. Major Prioleau was a graduate of Wilber force University with the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He served for many years with dignity and commendation as Chaplain in the U.S. Army and local preacher, pastor, presiding elder in the Methodist Connection. Rev. George W. Prioleau had transferred from the North Ohio Conference and enrolled as an Elder.

Retired Major G.W. Prioleau and family were members of Los Angeles First AME Church. As a community project, he led a group of friends in a house to house prayer band. Finally, the Holy Spirit moved upon him to establish a church for the Westside populace of Los Angeles. Encouraged by Rev. A. Milton Ward, pastor of the Los Angeles Church, and the members of the prayer band, he organized the mission. It was accepted October 19, 1921 by the Fifty-fourth Session of the California Conference of the Eighteenth District held at San Diego, California. The Rt. Rev. William Alfred Fountain, D.D. was the presiding bishop. The membership numbered fourteen. The Sunday School membership was twenty-three. Mrs. Ethel G. Prioleau was the superintendent. Rev. James Washington, Presiding Elder of the Los Angeles District of the California Conference of the Eighteenth Episcopal District, perfected the organization of the First AME Church Mission, Westside. This name was soon changed to Los Angeles Westside Mission.

The Mission grew and prospered and finally, with much prayer and great sacrifice, the members were able to purchase a lot and church building at 1511 West 36th Street. For the first three years Major Prioleau served the mission as its pastor without pay. While painting the church, Major Prioleau fell from a ladder injuring himself internally. After several months of critical illness, on July 15th, 1927 he departed this life after singing in a beautiful strong voice, two verses of "My Faith Looks Up to Thee". Beginning with fourteen members and a rented dance hall, he was able to leave at the time of his death five years later, 120 full members, 18 probationers, church property free of debt and $1,171 in the bank for the purchase of a new church building.

Bethel Organizations