Now, talk about a busy congregation! By 1928, the church had welcomed no fewer than 23 pastors. That's almost like having a new flavor of the week, but instead of ice cream, it's spiritual guidance-definitely keeps things interesting!
The church may have grown slowly at first, but it blossomed much like a late-blooming flower when many African Americans moved to Cedar Rapids after the collapse of the coal industry in Southern Iowa. Imagine an old steam engine gathering speed, chugging along steadily. And if we had a growth catalyst award, that would surely go to Rev. Benjamin Horace Lucas, who came aboard in 1928 and really got the congregation rolling.
In 1931, the congregation upgraded from their modest wood-frame structure to this beautiful brick Colonial Revival building you see now. It's like trading in a quaint bicycle for a shiny new car. Ever since, this sturdy structure has catered to the spiritual and social needs of the community, standing as a resilient symbol of endurance and unity.
Despite the winds of change and the development of Mercy Medical Center obliterating much of the neighborhood, Bethel AME Church still stands tall, one of the few remaining links to Cedar Rapids’s early African American community. Fittingly, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013-a badge of honor for a true community hero.
So, take a moment to appreciate this magnificent piece of history. It's like taking a step back in time while standing in the present. Amazing, right?
