We are Bethel AME Oxnard. The Lighthouse by the Shore.
We welcome all. We have been serving the Oxnard community for over 30 years.
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HISTORY
1947 – 2019
Spiritual guidance, abiding faith and the blessings of Almighty God have sustained and strengthened the Bethel family through the years. The courage and determination of Bethel members has been evident since our humble beginning when a group of Oxnard residents expressed a growing desire to establish an A.M.E. church.
Clinton Strozier, Sr. and Gilbert Calhoun, Sr. contacted Presiding Elder I. H. Hunt to discuss all the necessary requirements. A minimum of twelve members was necessary and an overwhelming expression of faith overflowed. The group met at the home of James and Ruth Davis and the church was organized on May 18, 1947. The Rev. George L. Grant, who at the time, was assigned to the church in Ventura, California became the first Pastor.
The charter members included Clinton Strozier, Sr., James and Ruth Davis, Gilbert and Thelma Calhoun, Theodis Jackson, George and Willie B. Johnson, Anthony and Hattie Webb, Minnie Drayton, Emma Lane, Dorothy Tims, Emily Hunter, Clinton and Margaret Tatum, L. C. Rogers, Fairy Towler, Leandrew Webster, Eva Dangerfield, Dalaphine route, Leroy Gibson, Sr., and Marion Wilson.
The group soon outgrew the Davis’ home and services were moved to the Housing Project Office. The congregation progressed, but due to “racial discrimination” they had to move. The old USO Building, which is now the Boys and Girls club at 126 E. Seventh Street, was rented. When a church building became available on the corner of Colonia Road and Anita Street, the congregation moved again. The church flourished with God’s continued blessings and the lot at Third & Roosevelt was purchased. Without our Lord, our precious Savior Jesus Christ, each shepherd who pastured this part of the vineyard, and strong, dedicated, talented members we would not be worshipping at our present facility… 855 South “F” Street.
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:10:11 NIV)
It is not possible to record all of Bethel’s history on these few pages. So many people, members and nonmembers, living and deceased have contributed their dreams, hard work, vision, leadership, fellowship, tithes, offerings and unselfish service. The following Pastoral Summary represents a “condensed overview” of our current history:
THE PASTORS OF BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST CHURCH
Rev. George L. Grant (1947 – 1948) Bethel's first pastor helped the congregation grow spiritually and numerically. He was very proud to read our first annual report at the conference. Rev. Grant left Bethel to attend Wilberforce University.
Rev. C. B. Clement (1948 – 1953) a former Presiding Elder in the Puget Sound Conference, nourished the growing congregation and guided our indoctrination in African Methodism. Under his administration, the foundation at Third and Roosevelt Streets was poured, and a portion of the wall was erected.
Rev. L. G. Lovelace (1953 – 1955) contributed to the church through the growth of membership and the music department. During his pastorate, work continued on the building, and Daniel W. Pinkard was encouraged and inspired to enter the ministry.
Rev. Palmer Ross (1955 – 1958) was assigned to Bethel and by favorable administration, faith, charisma, persuasion and manual labor our church at Third and Roosevelt was completed and furnished in less than one year. The congregation marched from the Anita Street site to the new church on July 21, 1956. Bishop Frederick D. Jordan dedicated the church in the fall of 1956. Rev. Ross organized the first Vacation Bible School and held the first Annual Tea. He was an organist who instructed all of the children including Frances Williams, the musician for the Cathedral Choir.
Rev. Marcellus R. Dixon (1958 – 1960) came to Bethel in September 1958. The church continued to grow and was revitalized through his inspiring sermons and Bible study. He taught us to love God more dearly, and so our love for each other grew stronger. He contributed significantly to the music of the church and trained our children as musicians. Ill health forced him into semi-retirement and God "called him home" while at our weekly Bible Study in March of 1960.
Rev. A. A. Moore, a supply pastor, arrived in March 1960 and served each Sunday faithfully until Rev. James Hezekiah Blake (1960 -1961) a permanent pastor was assigned. With a background as a public school teacher, he focused on the youth of our church. He was also a "missionary" and worked many hours a week helping underprivileged children in the community.
Rev. A. Lee Henderson (1961 – 1963) worked with the youth, initiated programs such as portraying members of the congregation in "This is Your Christian Life." Under his direction, a newspaper, "The Voice of Bethel" was introduced; the property of the A. M. E. Church in Ventura was sold due to shifting population and the mortgage on the church was reduced by 50% from these and other proceeds.
Rev. Jules Bagneris (1963 – 1965) orchestrated the purchase of the parsonage at 1628 South "J" Street. He organized the Women's and Men's Day Programs that continue to function as critical annual events.
Rev. C. N. Austin (1965 – 1970) improved the overall organization of the church. He organized the Allen Stars, instructed the youth in Catechism, donated the lectern and communion alter cloth. The church mortgage was paid in full, and the expansion fund was established via the "birthday calendar" fundraiser.
Rev. Eugene H. Kelly (1970 – 1978) systematically restructured the business operation of the church using his skills obtained as a hospital administrator. During his tenure, the Laymen were organized and the Silver Anniversary of the church was celebrated with Bishop Harrison J. Bryant in attendance. The land for our new facility was purchased and paid in full, and funds for construction increased dramatically. Rev. Kelly retired for active ministry in 1978 but continued to serve and make contributions to the welfare of this church until his death in 2004.
Rev. Richard J. Parker (1978 – 1979) formed the Altar Guild and trained the youth to serve as Acolytes. A new communion set and vestments were donated, the Christian Seasons of the church were celebrated and vestment "color rotation" was stressed. The parsonage was refurbished, and the church was
re-painted, inside and out.
Rev. Hercules B. Benbow (1979 – 1980) worked diligently with the trustees and hired Dial Services to prepare a parcel map to revert seven lots to one lot of 1.12 acres, for the new church.
Rev. William R. Mayes (1980 – 1984) During his administration, the church van was purchased, the Young Peoples Department was expanded, the Gospel Choir was formed, and membership increased. The original conceptual design of the new church was completed, and architectural drawings were commissioned. Enis and Enis Construction Company completed the first phase of the new church.
Johnie Carlisle, Jr. (1984 – 1997) Rev. Carlisle brought the spirit of rededication and spiritual revival to Bethel. He implemented many programs to strengthen the fellowship and spiritual growth of the Bethel family. Rev. Carlisle's Officer Training Seminars and "shared management" approach to running the church could be seen in the development and expansion of every department.
In 1986 Rev. Carlisle introduced the $100,000 rally which gave a big boost to the enthusiasm for a new start to the building program. The Church parsonage located on South "J" Street was sold, and the proceeds were added in the building fund. The architectural drawings were updated, and permits were obtained to begin building. A construction loan was obtained from the Bank of A. Levy, and GRD General Contractors signed an agreement to complete the church complex. From September 1990 to April 1991 the Bethel Family watched as the new church was being built.
The last service for the old church was held on Sunday, April 14, 1991, and the congregation marched from 249 Roosevelt Avenue to 855 South "F" Street to witness God's miracle. The church on Roosevelt Avenue was then sold, and the proceeds were used to reduce the mortgage on the new edifice by $200,000. Rev. Carlisle is a very efficient and visionary church administrator.
As a result of his leadership, initial efforts were implemented to liquidate the church mortgage. The mortgage liquidation program varied in direction and strategies; however, each ensuing program added to the increased revenue used to reduce the indebtedness of the church mortgage.
Rev. C. Jessel Strong (April 4, 1997, to Nov 2001) was transferred from the Colorado conference to the Southern California Conference. He arrived dressed in the "Full armor of God" ready and prepared for service. His commitment and the dedication of the First Lady were instrumental in developing an outstanding young peoples' department. A four-tier (Time, Talent, Testimony and Treasures) tithing program was established to increase revenue and encourage members tithing. During his administration, a parsonage was purchased for the pastor and his family. The Helen Kelly Adult Dare Center was established.
Rev. Robert L. Cox arrived (2001 – 2015) with the Power of the Holy Spirit, dedicated to preaching the uncompromising gospel. His explosive exhortation of the living word has allowed the Spirit of God to move throughout the congregation, penetrating hearts and inspiring attitudes to worship and serve. His leadership immediately focused on social outreach and liquidation for our church mortgage. God's vision guided his spirit to implement a two-year liquidation plan, which culminated three months before the projected date. Strong outreach continued as a mainstay of his ministry with the establishment of community-oriented HIV/Aids and Health awareness programs. His administration bore witness to the scriptures…"Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matt 21:22.
Rev. Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr., (November 2015 – October 2019). This was punctuated with a new burst of ecumenism and multicultural engagement. Bethel participated in weekly Bible Study with North Oxnard United Methodist Church, and members of each congregation (and members of other churches) joined together at noon and 6:30 p.m. to hear the voices of both Pastors teach lessons from the Bible. The annual FESTIVAL OF GRACE has best demonstrated this spirit of religious pluralism. This service featured members from various communities of faith to actively promote public discourse about the power of forgiveness and grace, irrespective of race, national origin, religion or sexual orientation. This program featured the necessity for public expressions of mercy as promoted love over hate speech and hateful actions. Bethel also initiated the annual LENTEN CARAVAN in Ventura County, including participation by five non-AME congregations.
Additionally, under Pastor Oden, Bethel partnered with California State University at Channel Island's School of Nursing to have weekly tutoring programs for students in the community and semi-annual health fairs and forums. The eventual goal was to sponsor a community clinic at the Church. The Church also promoted community engagement by working with the City of Oxnard to develop an appropriate response to the homeless and continued its quarterly services to the BREAD OF LIFE feeding program. Other community programs included the Annual Paper Airplane Contest (PAC), and the mentoring efforts that are part of the program; Jeffery Nelson Clark Memorial Scholarship Programs; the HBCU Black College Tour in partnership with the Pinkard Youth Institute; active Men's and Women's Ministry; and a new Senior's Activity Program.
Rev. Benjamin N. Thomas, Jr. (November 2019 – Present) -
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