Bethany Christian Church

In the Beginning

In December 1955, Robert W. Dickerson began to discuss with trusted friends and associates the possibility of starting a new Disciples of Christ congregation in Cleveland, Ohio.  If this dream became a reality, the church would be named Bethany Christian Church based on the fact that Bethany was the place where Jesus spent a great deal of time.

Having received positive feedback, a small group of people, which included Pastor R.W. Dickerson, Sr., Mrs. Dorothy Dickerson, Lessie Penn, and George and Gladys Dickerson, began meeting at the home of Melvin and Lula Hampton in January 1956 to discuss organizing Bethany Christian Church. The church motto, Matthew 17:20, was chosen at this meeting.

The first worship service was held on Sunday, February 15, 1956, at the home of Pastor and Mrs. Dickerson with 17 people in attendance.  An offering of $10.00 was entrusted to Melvin Hampton, who along with his wife, Lula, served as treasurer for 24 years.  The second service was held at the home of Mrs. Grace Dickey, where five more people joined the congregation. She invited them back for six consecutive Sundays.  By that time, the overflow had filled the living room, hallway, and stairway.

The need for a larger facility caused the growing congregation to move to A.J. Rickoff Elementary School at 3500 E. 147th Street, where they remained for the next three years. There the congregation flourished in an atmosphere of faith and love.  The Bible School grew to be the largest among Black Disciples Churches with an average attendance of 100 persons each Sunday.  Among the highlights of this time spent at A.J. Rickoff was Fellowship Day, which was held when the church was about six months old.  Approximately 35 churches of all denominations were invited, along with the Interdenominational Ushers Association (ICUA).  Dr. Waymon Parsons, Pastor of Heights Christian Church, was the speaker.

Our First Edifice

The need for a larger facility caused the growing congregation to move to A.J. Rickoff Elementary School at 3500 E. 147th Street, where they remained for the next three years. There the congregation flourished in an atmosphere of faith and love.  The Bible School grew to be the largest among Black Disciples Churches with an average attendance of 100 persons each Sunday.  Among the highlights of this time spent at A.J. Rickoff was Fellowship Day, which was held when the church was about six months old.  Approximately 35 churches of all denominations were invited, along with the Interdenominational Ushers Association (ICUA).  Dr. Waymon Parsons, Pastor of Heights Christian Church, was the speaker.

With very little money and an overwhelming faith in God, the young congregation began negotiations to obtain a church located at 12306 Soika Avenue. They raised $600.00 in two weeks to add to the $1,462.00 they had saved during their three years at A.J. Rickoff. The Cleveland Disciples Union gave them an additional $3,000.00. On Sunday, February 8, 1959, Bethany Christian Church celebrated the first worship in their new home.  When the charter was obtained in 1961, the membership totaled 145.

The first two ministers to be ordained from the congregation were the late Rev. William Hannah and Rev. Arthur Hill.  Rev. Hannah organized Fifth Christian Church and later became the Executive Secretary of the National Convocation.  Rev. Hill served as pastor for several churches, including Lincoln Avenue Christian Church in Youngstown, Ohio.  Other ministers from Bethany include the late Rev. James Hannah, the late Elder Donald L. Jackson, Rev. Dr. Joseph Crockett, Bishop Robert W.H. Dickerson, Rev. Rodney Smith, and the late Min. Roderick Dickerson.

(History from Bethany Christian Chuch)