Welcome to Bethel AME Church, the little brick church on the eastside of Des Moines with the great big heart. Our church was founded in 1914, first known as the East Side Mission for Negro Methodists. Later in 1914 with only 3 members, the church became Lee’s Mission when they contracted to buy the building on 16th and east University, the property that our church sits on today. In 1923 when the cornerstone was laid Bethel African Methodist Church was born. We have been planted here and serving the community for over 107 years. We can honestly say that by the grace of God we and all that have come before us have experienced the love of God and the Power of His Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ.

We hope you would come worship with us. You’ll find us to be a very loving and welcoming church. We believe that the love of Jesus should be spread in everything we do. At Bethel we practice the words in Matthew 25:35 NLT “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home.” Not only will we feed you physically, but you will be fed spiritually with the Word of God. If you come in thirsty, we’ll quench your pallet with the refreshing Word and a cool beverage as we fellowship. If you come in a stranger, you’ll leave family because at Bethel we believe that we’re all God’s children and that makes us family. So, we say come as you are and bring a friend. You are welcome in this place.