Bethel Memorial AME Church Athlone, Cape Town Quasquicentennial Year

1898 - 2023

When we say yes to ministry and service, we are saying yes to minister and serve another person. And the most effective way to do that is by knowing where you are going, who you will encounter, what resources are available, and how you can best serve their needs. When we take the time to immerse ourselves in the culture of others, we establish a connection and rapport that breeds an environment of growth and mutual aid. Ministry and service require work upfront and complete engagement in the process. Do not be like me and go in blindly. Prepare and equip yourself to be open to the experiences of others. Do the work to learn the people and place. Make space for others to be authentically themselves, not trying to get them to bend or form to your desire and comfort. Most importantly, study to show thyself approved; not with the mindset to change someone else, but with the openness to learn and grow into a better minister and servant. ❏ ❏ ❏

We are celebrating our 125 th year of ministry for Christ, his church, and community. We are the oldest congregation in the 15 th Episcopal District. The program includes, among others, Holy Communion on May 07, 2023; Mothers Standing Tall on Mother’s Day on May 14, 2023; Men of Faith on May 21, 2023; Memorial Lecture and Anniversary on Thursday, May 25, 2023, with our official Thanksgiving Service on May 28, 2023. We solicit prayers and support for continued blessings on our ministry.

History Of Bethel Memorial Ame Church

As a result of the memorable visit of Bishop Henry McNeil Turner to South Africa and his great and eloquent sermon preached on May 22, 1898, in the now Opera House in Cape Town, Bethel AME Church was organized on May 25, 1898, among people of the Cape by Francis McDonald Gow. He was a photographer of renown and spiritual leader of a congregation that held services in St. Paul’s Hall, Bree Street, Cape Town.

He became a key figure in the affairs of the infant church after the secession of 1899. After selling his business, he entered the ministry, was ordained in the USA, and later became general superintendent. In recognition of his devoted and sacrificial services, the honorary Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) was conferred on him. He was elevated from our pu lpit to the bishopric in 1956, the first-ever South African to be so honoured.

The church was originally situated on the corner of Blythe and Hanover Streets in District Six of Cape Town. Still, it was forcefully relocated to Athlone by the apartheid government in 1975 due to the Group Areas Act. As a result, our church was the only one demolished. Today, the remaining churches and schools are declared heritage sites.

The church then amalgamated with Bonner Temple AME Church. Bethel

Memorial will always be indebted to the membership of Bonner Temple for the smooth amalgamation.

History Of Bonner Temple

The church was started in the house of the Rev. E.P. Williams. Ground was then bought on the corner of Harmonie and Herbrandt Streets, Hazendal, in the year 1947 under the leadership of Bishop Isaiah Bonner.

In 1947 the foundation of Bonner Temple was laid. The church was built with the help of Rev. S.P. Johannisen, Bro. Henkerman, Peter and John Johannisen, Tommy and Paul Henkerman, Bro Williams, and two labourers. The church started with only eight (8) members. As the years went by, more members joined: Brother and Sister Aspeling, Sister Van der Merwe, Mrs. Louw, Brother and Sister Gerbach, Miller family, Martin Petersen family, Brother Derby and family, Brother Springfield, and family, Sister Appel and family, Brother and Sister Warner and family, Brother Stanford Warner and family, Brother, and Sister Charles and family and Brother van Rooi and family. Finally, Bishop Francis H. Gow and Presiding Elder Jason dedicated Bonner Temple.

THE PASTORS WHO SERVED BONNER TEMPLE WERE:

1. Rev. S.P. Johannisen .........................1949 - 1960

2. Rev. P.A.C. Abrahamse ....................1960 - 1961

3. Rev. Richard J. Mothibi ...................1961 - 1963

4. Rev. Pieter Joubert ..........................1963 - 1965

5. Rev. Jannie W. Louw ........................1965 - 1966

6. Rev. Levi C. Gow ............................. 1966 - 1974 - made the last down payment

7. Rev. Henry A. Joubert .................... 1974 was instrumental in the amalgamation process

SINCE THE ORGANIZATION, THE FOLLOWING MINISTERS HAVE SERVED AS PASTORS:

1. Rev. Alexander A. Morrison ...........1889 - 1900

2. Rev. Dr. Francis M. Gow .................1900 - 1930

3. Rev. Henry A Fortuin ......................1930 - 1932

4. Rev. Dr. Francis H. Gow ..................1933 - 1956

5. Rev. Levi C. Gow ..............................1957 - 1964

6. Rev. Hendrik Carelse .......................1965 - 1969

7. Rev. Alexander M. Kadalie .............1969 - 1970

8. Rev. Stanley P. Johannissen .............1971 - 1972

9. Rev. Levy C. Gow ............................1972 - 1974

10. Rev. Henry A. Joubert ...................1974 - 1978

Associate Pastors

1. Rev. Dr. Lionel R. Louw

2. Rev. Edward Louw

3. Rev. Gabriel Jaftha (Local Elder)

4. Rev. Leslie J. Scott

5. Rev. Samuel A. Moleon (Local Elder)

6. Rev. Pamela Stander (Local Elder)

7. Rev. Abraham Plaatjies (Local Elder) *** church office: info@ bethelmemorial.co.za.

***The Rev. Abraham Plaatjies [75 years] is the only member of the associates still with Bethel Memorial AMEC. Congratulatory remarks can be sent to, and further information can be obtained from: Rev. William C. Legolie II: willielegolie2311@ gmail.com; phone: 27-21-696 9732 or cell: 071 952 3886.

Phone 27-21-696 1975. ❏ ❏ ❏

11. Rev. Andrew E. Josias ....................1978 - 1996

12. Rev. Andrew B. Lewin ...................1996 - 2006

13. Rev. Nigel B. Titus .........................2006 - 2008

14. Rev. Gregory West .........................2008 - served only three months

15. Rev. Vernard E. Bailie ....................2008 - 2010

16. Rev. Peter A. Walker ......................2010 - 2011

17. Rev. Marco de Lilly ........................2011 - 2014

18. Rev. Sekoboto J. Tau ......................2014 - 2021 Mid Year

19. Rev. William C. Legolie .................2021 - present community, and ministry activities. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Jackson State University, a Master of Social Work from Temple University, a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work from Jackson State University, and a Master of Divinity from Payne The ological Seminary.

Moreover, she has completed the Council of Independent Colleges’ Presidential Vocation and Institutional Mission Program and the Millennium Leadership Institute. She has received several honors, awards, and recognitions, including Faculty of the Year and the UNCF Trailblazer Award.

Lee-Pruitt is the current pastor of St. Matthew AME Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

JCU Board Chairman Torry L. Edwards commends the Board of Trustees and members who served on the Presidential Transition Committee and Executive Committee who selected Lee-Pruitt and commended the board for its extensive succession planning process adopted in 2016 to enable a seamless transition of leadership.

Jarvis Christian University is dedicated to empowering students to achieve their career goals through an affordable academic experience that prepares them for today’s global economy.

Whether a student is a recent high school graduate or a working adult seeking career advancement, Jarvis Christian University develops students of all ages intellectually, socially, spiritually, and emotionally. ❏