Bethel A.M.E. Church is the first African Methodist Episcopal Church west of the Allegheny Mountains and the oldest African American congregation in the City of Pittsburgh. In 1808, a church known as the “African Church” was organized in a home on Front Street. By 1812, the congregation had grown to twenty members. In 1818, three freedmen—James and George Coleman and Abraham Lewis—organized a Sunday School in a home in an alley near the Way House, located between Third and Fourth Avenues near Smithfield Street, now a bustling business district in downtown Pittsburgh. That same year, Bethel received its official charter.

Legendary Leadership: Early History

In 1818, the Baltimore Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was petitioned to recognize Bethel as a congregation and send a minister. Minister David Smith arrived in the fall of that year, but soon left to establish a church in Washington, Pennsylvania. In 1822, the Conference sent Bishop Paul Quinn as a full-time minister. The congregation continued to grow, reporting 84 adult members in 1824.

As membership increased, the church purchased a former Methodist Church building on Strawberry Way in 1827, followed by another church on Front Street in 1830. That same year, Bethel hosted the Conference under Bishop Morris Brown, the second Prelate of the A.M.E. Church.

Rev. Lewis Woodson: Abolitionist & Educator Rev. Lewis Woodson, a longtime pastor of Bethel, played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad and was a pioneer of Black nationalism. In 1831, he founded a school for Black children, which evolved into Miller African Centered Academy in Pittsburgh, PA.

In 1844, Bethel hosted the 8th General Conference, where a resolution was passed to establish a Seminary of Learning, leading to the creation of Payne Theological Seminary and contributions to Wilberforce University, the oldest privately owned HBCU in America.

Woodson was a prolific writer, contributing to newspapers like The Mystery, a Pittsburgh-based Black newspaper, and other abolitionist publications. He often used the pseudonym "Augustine" to distinguish his identity, advocating for Black self-governance and challenging the reliance on white-led efforts. His writings focused on:

Woodson vs. Frederick Douglass: The Debate on Black Freedom Woodson and Frederick Douglass had well-documented ideological differences:

This debate influenced later Black nationalist leaders like Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. Woodson’s ideas also aligned with Martin Delany, who advocated for Black self-governance.

Many distinguished pastors have led Bethel, including:

For over two centuries, Bethel A.M.E. Church has been a guiding force for moral, spiritual, and cultural advancement, ensuring its legacy endures for generations to come.

Dale B Snyder, Sr. is a second-generation AME Pastor in the Third Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He has served as Pastor of the following churches: Bethel Massillon AME Church in Massillon, Ohio 1994-1995; St. John AME Church in Youngstown, Ohio 1996-1998; Mt. Moriah AME Church in Maple Hts., Ohio 1998-2004; Quinn Chapel AME Church in Cleveland, Ohio 2004-2006; Bethel AME Church in Columbus, Ohio 2006-2016; 2016-2019 St James AME Erie PA. currently at Bethel AME Church Pittsburgh.

Dale is a veteran of the US Army where he served as a chemical operations specialist. Hold the following certification from Ohio Labors Training School, Explosive Handler, Pipe Laying by Lazer, Construction Blue Prints 1&2, asbestos abatement and Lead Foreman. Member of International Union of Operating Engineers; Journeyman Skilled on Dozer, Track hoe, Back Hoe, Mobile Crane and Loaders, Certifications in Supervisors Management 1 and 2 from NC State University, Certification from Ohio Parks & Recreation Association in Management & Leadership Development He graduated from David Myers University with a BS in Corporate Management and a BS in Business Administration. He also graduated from Ashland Theological Seminary Degree in Black Church Studies. Master of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary. He received his Doctoral degree from Payne Theological Seminary. Dale has a vast amount of business experience owning various businesses for over 20 years and managing government agencies for 14 years before committing to ministry full-time.

In 2012, Pastor Snyder was the recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award which was presented by the Columbus Education Association for his work to defeat issue 5 the collective bargaining bill in the state of Ohio.