When the Third Annual Conference of the Ethiopian Church was held in Pretoria on March 17, 1896, the resolution was taken to unite with the AME Church. The Revs. James Mata Dwane and Jacobus Gilead Xaba were appointed as a deputation to go to America for the purpose of effecting an organic union with the AME Church, with full power to act on behalf of the Annual Conference of the Ethiopian Church. Rev Dwane, who travelled to America alone on April 15, 1896, had to come to Cape Town to sail there.

He must have made contact with members of the Ethiopian Church in Cape Town and informed them of his mission and, upon his return, told them that his mission was successful and that union with the AME Church had been effected. Sometime early in
1897, Rev Dwane, who had been appointed by Bishop Turner as the General Superintendent of the AME Church in South Africa, came to Cape Town with Revs. M.M. Mokone and P.S. Kuze and received twenty men into the AME Church. Rev Kuze was left as pastor of the new church in Cape Town.

Thus it was that when Bishop Henry McNeil Turner arrived in Cape Town around March 18, 1898, he found Rev Kuze in Cape Town. After a short stay in the city during which time he uttered words of inspiration, hope and benediction to the many who were privileged to enjoy his precious company. Bishop Turner proceeded to the Transvaal, visiting Johannesburg and Pretoria. At the latter he called upon President Kruger who received him graciously.

Under Superintendent Dwane, the South African Annual Conference of the AME Church was organized. Its first session was held at Queenstown, April 6 - 11, 1897. The second session was called to meet in St Peter's AME Church in Pretoria. At this
Conference Bishop Turner presided. One of the first actions was its decision to become two Annual Conferences instead of one. The new conference, embracing the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State took the name of the "Transvaal Annual Conference". For that part of the work in the Cape Colony, the name of the "South African Annual Conference" was retained.

At the second session of the "South African Annual Conference" held in Queenstown in April 15 - 16, 1898, there were two
assignments to Cape Town. One was named Bethel Church (also called Cape Town Circuit) operating in the St Paul's Hall, Bree Street, which'Rev M.M. Mokone received and the other was named Bethel Mission operating in the Friendly Hall in Wale Street, which Rev A.A. Morrison, an American, received. Rev Mokone was also Presiding Elder of the Cape Town District which included Bethel Mission, Cape Town Circuit, Kalk Bay, Rondebosch and Plumstead.

In an article written in 1916, contained in "The Encyclopedia of African Methodism", Rev F.M. Gow states the following:
"On Bishop Turner's return to Cape Town, en route to America, after arranging the Transvaal and South African Conferences,
a farewell reception-was accorded him at a great meeting held in the Opera House, Cape Town. This large building was crowded by white and coloured citizens anxious to see and hear the first black Bishop that had stepped on South African soil. It was on Sunday afternoon, April 22, 1898. The great throng sat breathless as the writer led the Bishop to the platform accompanied by several native and coloured ministers with representative lay citizens. After the introduction, the Bishop arose to address the meeting, receiving such an ovation as the building had never witnessed before. For an hour and a half the great
and eloquent speaker swayed the mighty audience at his will to tears, to smiles, and rapturous applause. Although we paid £13
for the hire of that building we have never regretted it, for as an outcome of the service the formation of the first AME

Church amongst Cape people had its rise, on the 25 May, 1898. It was called 'Bethel' in honour of the first church in
America."Amongst the first members of Bethel Mission and Cape Town Circuit were: Joseph Spawn, Tom Square, John Spiro and Tom Payne with their wives and children, Edward Willenburg, Edward George Gow, John Benjamin, Andrew Erasmus, Sarah Elizabeth Gow, Sis J.M. Fortuin, Florence Gow, Sis E. Willenburg, Elizabeth Jones, Judith Murphy, Sis A. Morrison, Edward Bailey, Christian Poole, Bro J. Prescott, James Jones, Bro J.B. Julius, James Nagassa, Bro J. Murphy, Bro J. Joshua, Jacoba Titus, Daniel Peter Gordon, Henry A. Fortuin, Francis McDonald Gow, Bro M. Carelse, Bro J. Orpin, Bro J. Lawrence, Bro J. Nayesso, Bro Bardizela, Bro J. Kaby and others. Regular meetings (not services) were held in the photographic studio of Bro Francis McDonald Gow in Hanover Street. Although Bro Gow was not a Pastor at that time he was selected chairman of the Official Board. The various branches of the Cape District met in one combined Official Board. Representatives from Kalk Bay, Rondebosch and Plumstead were Rev Adriaanse, Bro Stanford, Bro C. Roberts and Rev Zimre.

It was during the year 1899 that the Rev James Mata Dwane, the General Superintendent and Vicar Bishop, seceded from the AME Church. To Father F.M. Gow goes the credit for keeping tile church together in the Cape. The Rev I.N. Fitzpatrick from the USA was sent as the General Superintendent. His arrival was most timely. He at once called together the South African Conference (4th session) on March 8, 1900 in the Friendly Hall, Cape Town. The Rev. Fitzpatrick, accompanied by Bro.F.M. Gow as lay delegate, left for the General Conference in Columbus, Ohio, on March 28, 1900. F.M Gow returned from America in December 1900 as an ordained Deacon and was assigned to Bethel, Cape Town. Rev A.A. Morrison was appointed Presiding Elder of the Cape District. On May 19, 1905 it was decided to close the work in the Friendly Hall and due notice was given to the owners. The members of Bethel Mission united with Bethel Church in St. Paul's Hall, Bree Street.
Meetings continued in the studio of Rev Gow.

The search for a suitable piece of land to erect a church building started in 1900. Bethel Institute was acquired by Bishop
Levi J. Coppin in 1901 and it's official opening was held early in 1902. Rev A.H. Attaway, brought from the USA, became the
prinicipal while Rev P.M. Gow remained Pastor of the church. The Institute was open to all people regardless of race. During 1904 the Bethel Institute property was lost to the church through bankruptcy. It was then leased from Graaff's Trust for £10per month. Bishop J. Albert Johnson redeemed Bethel Institute in 1911.

Bishop Charles S. Smith appointed Rev P.M. Gow as Presiding Elder of the Cape District during October 1904. Rev J.J. Pearce from Kalk Bay was assigned to Bethel and took over on November 1, 1904. He only served as Pastor of Bethel until the end of April 1905. Father P.M. Gow returned as Pastor of Bethel at the beginning of May 1905.

The well-known and beloved "Bethel Memorial" church building on the comer of Blythe and Springfield Streets, Cape Town,
was built during the administration of Bishop John Andrew Gregg at a cost of $37 000.00 (Thirty seven thousand American
Dollars). The money was raised by the Home and Foreign Missionary Society in the USA. The dedication of the church was held in May 1926. On the same day the pipe organ was also dedicated.

Rev Francis McDonald Gow served as Pastor of Bethel until his superannuation in 1931, for a period of thirty and a half
years. Even before he became Pastor he rendered valuable and unselfish service to the church in Cape Town. Rev Henry A. Fortuin, formerly an officer of Bethel, serving for a long time as secretary, entered the ministry and was assigned to Bethel in 1931. He served until 1933. Rev Francis Herman Gow, son of Rev P.M. Gow, left for America to continue his studies during 1904. He entered the ministry in America and returned in 1924 well qualified. He was assigned to Bethel in 1933. It was during his pastorate that Bethel Memorial was really projected into the community. As an outstanding musician, Dr Gow made the church a centre from which the sweet strains of melodious song touched the lives of many people. The Coleridge Taylor Quartet was known around Cape Town for their many different musical renditions. The many pageants which Dr Gow directed, attracted a vast cross-section of the Cape Town Community to the Green Point Stadium. Dr Gow was an influential community leader and Bethel Memorial church services were attended by the outstanding community and church leaders of Cape Town. It was not unsual to find a Mayor of Cape Town in the pulpit of Bethel. Many visiting seamen worshipped at Bethel. During the war years Bethel Institute and Church became the centre of Civilian Protective Services and other relief organisations. The famous Eoan Group was started at Bethel during Dr Gow's administration. Bethel Memorial was also cleared of debt during his term. Rev Dr Francis Herman Gow was elected and consecrated a Bishop of the AME Church in 1956, the first South African to be thus honoured.

After the elevation of Rev F.H. Gow to the Bishopric, his brother. Rev Levi Coppin Gow was assigned to Bethel Memorial. It
was during the latter part of Rev L.C. Gow's administration that Bethel Institute was destroyed by fire. This was a great loss to the church and community. When the church submitted plans for a new building/ permission was refused. The proclamation of District Six as white area was already in the pipeline. Principals of the day-school were: Rev A.H. Attaway,
Mrs Wooding, Mr George Golding and Rev Reginald V. Gow.

District Six was proclaimed a white area in 1958. This caused the members of Bethel to be scattered over a wide area and the
church had to make plans for the relocation of its worship facility. The parsonage at No. 15, Balfour Street, Woodstock also
had to be sold.

Rev Hendrik Carelse was assigned to Bethel in 1964 and under him the church began searching for new property in the Athlone
area, but was unsuccessful in obtaining any. "Rev Alexander M. Kadalie was assigned to Bethel in 1969. He was introduced to the AME Church via Bethel. For years he served under Dr F.H. Gow and so when he became the Pastor of Bethel, he was "well acquainted with the people, history and traditions of the church. Rev Kadalie rendered valuable service to Bethel. He continued with plans to relocate. He also served as Presiding Elder of the Lansdowne District while serving as Pastor of Bethel. Rev Stanley Pervus Johanissen was assigned to Bethel in 1970. He was also the Presiding Elder of the Piketberg District. Under his leadership the church purchased a parsonage at No.2, Vaal Road, Belgravia Estate, Athlone for R8500,00. Negotiations were started for the selling of the property in District Six to the Department of Community Development. Rev Johanissen led the Bethel congregation in negotiations with Bonner Temple, Hazendal regarding a possible amalgamation of the two congregations. This was recommended to the Cape Annual Conference. Under Rev Johanissen the church also started negotiating with Mrs W.I. Judson who owned the property adjacent to Bonner Temple. Rev Johanissen died on February 27, 1972. Rev L.C. Gow was assigned to Bethel for a second time early in 1972. The sale of the property in District Six was finalised. The price which the Department paid was R55 040,00. The property of Mrs Judson which consisted of one erf and dwelling was bought for R20 000,00. Plans for the "New Bethel Memorial" were drawn. Rev L.C. Gow was also the Pastor of Bonner Temple, Hazendal. Regular discussions were held between the two Trustee Boards with Bishop F.C. James as a key participant.

The Bonner Temple congregation was organised by Rev S.P. Johanissen in 1949 in the home of Bro and Sis E.P. Williams in
Herbrandt Street, Hazendal. Two plots of ground were purchased for R1100.00 in 1950. Bishop I.H. Bonner conducted the
Groundbreaking Service on February 28, 1950 and the Cornerstone Laying Service on November 10, 1950. On May 15, 1954 Dr F.H. Gow dedicated the church. Pastors who served Bonner Temple were: Rev S.P. Johanissen (1950-1960), Rev P.A.C. Abrahamse (1960-1961), Rev R.J. Mothibi (1961-1963), Rev P. Joubert (1963-1965), Rev J.W. Louw (1965-1966) and Rev L.C. Gow (1966-1974). In Rev Gow's time the bond on Bonner Temple was redeemed.

The Cape Annual Conference meeting in Kraaifontein on December 17-20, 1974 decided to officially amalgamate Bethel Memorial, Cape Town and Bonner Temple, Hazendal. Rev Henry A. Joubert was given the appointment with the instruction to "build Bethel at Hazendal and be ready to entertain the 1975 session of the Cape Annual Conference." Under Rev Joubert the two ongregations were united and as a first project the dwelling which was bought from Mrs Judson was remodelled. It was
completed in March 1975. A new set of plans for the church was submitted and building operations began at the beginning of
April 1975. The Cornerstone was laid by Bishop F.C. James on Sunday, August 17, 1975. Worship services and other activities continued in the old Bethel in Cape Town and in Hazendal. When about 75% of Bonner Temple was demolished, services were held in the Athlone Methodist Church. On Sunday afternoon December 7,1975 at 15h00 AME ministers, members and friends gathered for the last time in the historic Bethel Memorial. Tears flowed freely as the songs of Zion were sung in this beloved meeting place. Rev Dr. Easter Michael Gordon, son of Rev Daniel Peter Gordon, one of the pioneers of Bethel, preached the parting sermon. The doors were locked in Cape Town and the congregation and friends proceeded to Hazendal to enter the new sanctuary.

The entry service was held at 18h30 on December 7, 1975 with the Pastor preaching the sermon. The Cape Annual Conference convened at the new Bethel Memorial on December 16, 1975. On Sunday December 28, 1975 the dedication service was conducted by Bishop F.C. James. Forming part of the 15th Episcopal District Education Congress, many ministers, members and friends of the AME Church in South Africa and Namibia attended the service. The pulpit, pews organ and other items of furniture from the old church in Cape Town were installed in the new building. The total cost of the new Bethel Memorial Complex was R168 000.00. The property at Vaal Road was sold for R13 895.00. From then on it was a struggle to keep on top of all the payments to be made to various creditors, with a total debt far in excess of any amount ever owned by an AME Church anywhere in the then 15th Episcopal District. An additional claim for the old property was lodged with the Department of Community Development. After much correspondence attorney Mr A.L. Mallinick was very helpful and two lengthy, written opinions from advocate B.M. Kies were received, the matter was finally settled out of court and an extra R18 426/00 was paid out. When Dr Easter Michael Gordon, the then Presiding Elder of the Cape Town District, and his wife, Mrs Cecelia Gordon died tragically in an accident on their way to an Annual Conference in Transvaal with Bishop D.G. Ming in the chair in 1978, Rev H.A. Joubert became Presiding Elder of the Paarl District and was appointed to the Church in Macassar at the Cape Annual Conference in December 1978.

Rev Andrew E. Josias was appointed as Pastor of Bethel Memorial. He stoically continued rallying the congregation to stay
committed to redeeming all the debts on the church, until they finally became debt free in 1986, having paid off a total
amount of R99 055,76 under his administration. With more than 60% of the congregation not living in the immediate vicinity of
the church, it became policy to make travel arrangements to get the members to the church and considerable amounts
were spent on hiring buses and other forms of transport. A 35- seater bus was finally purchased in 1994.

The church was also made available to community based organisations who used the facilities on a regular basis. The Harmony
Creche, caring for pre-school children, was also established. With the struggle against the racist regime of South Africa hotting up in the seventies, eighties and early nineties, Bethel became an important venue for rallies, services and the like. Many June 16 services were held there. The triple funeral of the " Trojan Horse slayings" was conducted at Bethel. The memorial services of many heroes of the struggle who made the ultimate sacrifice were held. The historic service where banned persons unbanned themselves was also held. The list is endless.

At the same time Bethel continued to grow, if not so much numerically, then financially and especially spiritually. A cottage
for the caretaker was also erected. The indomitable spirit of the members of Bethel and the record of 100 years of
faithfulness to Jesus Christ and commitment to African Methodism, will carry the church forward through these infant years
under a government of national unity.

In January 1996 the Rev Andrew B G Lewin was assigned by Bishop McKinley Young to the pastorate of Bethel. Under his vibrant leadership Bethel Memorial experienced unprecedented growth in its spiritual & economical life.

A new level of ministry was ushered in which witnessed the emergence of eight life-giving ministries. These timely initiatives allowed Bethel Memorial to move from an inward to an outward looking church. The following are the ministries initiated by the Rev. Lewin: (1) Prison Ministry (2) Hospital Ministry (3) Vygiekraal Ministry (4) Geriatric Ministry (5) Senior Adult Ministry (6) Dorcas Movement Ministry (7) Spiritual Dance Ministry (8) Friendship Force Ministry (9) Youth Ministry.

The Rev. Lewin has a strong work ethic and will spare no effort to get a thing done. He has been relentless in Kingdom building in the Athlone area. His leadership has impacted tremendously on the life of Bethel Memorial. His assignment to Bethel has been a major blessing to all concerned.

The following work were accomplished under his guidance & leadership: (1) Remodeling or Parsonage - R230,000.00 (2) Refurbishment of Pipe Organ - 100 years old - R59,000.00 (3) Kitchen of Bonner HAll - total revamp (4) Installation of new chandeliers and revamp of church electricity (5) Revamping of vestry with built in cupboards (6) Dedication of the H A Joubert Boardroom (7) Erection of face brick perimeter wall (8) Implemented the tithing system at Bethel, making Bethel a full tithing church.