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The History of New Bethel

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Thirteen years prior to the Emancipation Proclamation in 1857, a group of enslaved black people, who were associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church - South gathered under the name of BETHEL COLORED METHODIST CHURCH.

As they looked for a place to worship, a brushed arbor was made available through land donated by Mrs. Birdie Frey; a prominent member of the community, donated the land allowing a place to worship in a brush arbor.

The humble beginnings of New Bethel CME Church are a wonderful story to hear and share. From the church’s inception, the people face insurmountable challenges, and by faith their endeavors overcame every obstacle.

A centralized gathering of young saplings became the perfect site because of the many trees already in a straight line, to create a brush arbor open sided shelter. The saplings were selected to be the posts with matching forked limbs used to support cross timbers and to hold up the slightly pitched roof. In the late 1700s through the early 1800s, the brush arbor became a structure used by churches to protect worshippers from the seasonal elements.

The members took care to rigorously sweep prior to every service with a dogwood brush broom keeping the floor totally clean of all vegetation. The pulpit was created from a round slick hickory post set in the ground. It stood four feet high near the front of the arbor. A section of a split log was nailed to the top of the post with a smooth surface for the preacher to pound his fist on to make his points against sin.

The congregation sat on benches made by split oak logs shaped into a seat with a broad ax rubbed smooth by a sandstone rock. They were placed only on one side of the church with notches cut along the front edge to mark off the seats with widths. On the way to service the women usually sat in the wagon in a chair with the bottom covered in cowhide, when they arrived the chairs would be removed, then placed on the bare side of the arbor so they sat in during the service.

In 1879, these same former enslaved people joined The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. These individuals who persevered by faith for 22 years were the first to build a church in Stephenville. For the next 10 years following, all the people of color in the city of Stephenville attended this church.

William Wyatt was the first documented pastor with Alex Jones, Joe Means and Green Marthel serving as stewards. In later years, the building was moved to Miller Street where it is located today. Mrs. Frey’s name is on the cross street of Miller, and there is a historic plaque to serve as a memory of their contribution to New Bethel.

Since the 1900s the Crowder and Edwards families were instrumental in the historic legacy of New Bethel as it remains in the location on Miller street.

In following the visions and course of direction set by pastars, a parsonage was created.

In the early 1980’s a dedication service was held to honor a historical marker placed on the side of the current building to register the relevance to the church and the Stephenville community.

In spite of the many challenges faced over the one hundred and sixty five years, New Bethel has been home under the servant leadership of over 70 pastors in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. This is in keeping with the church’s name and spiritual birthright of being the House of God. One of the significant aspects of the heritage of New Bethel is that this is the place where many pastors began their start of ministry. The Presiding Elder of the Dallas District Rev. Dr. Russell O. Fuller, Sr. served as pastor from 1991-1992. Servant leaders Rev. Vanessa Darden, Rev. Pamela Blair, Rev. Linda Bell, Rev. Jonathan Jones and Rev. Marcus Rodgers in later years were clergy who also began their pastoral ministry at New Bethel, to name a few.

Broderick Sargent Sr., pastor of New Bethel CME Church, appointed in August of 2022 by Bishop L. L. Reddick III. Prior to being appointed to New Bethel, Dr. Sargent pastored Mt. Pisgah CME in Jacksboro, Tx from 2019-2022.

Rev. Sargent has 22 years experience in the ministry. He joined Elizabeth Chapel C.M.E. church under the leadership of Elder Russell O. Fuller & Rev. Lightner, and currently under the guidance & leadership of Elder Linda Barnett.

Rev. Sargent received his education from Waxahachie High School, Baylor University and Slidell Baptist Seminary (Doctor of Divinity)

Rev. Sargent has spent his adult life helping to make a difference in youth & young adult lives with the motto "You Care They Grow". He uses his NFL experience where he's played from 1986-1989 for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys to empower others to have a positive attitude while encouraging them to work hard and succeed.

Rev. Sargent is inspired daily by his wife LaNytra to be the best he can be. In his free time, his hobbies are all sports & working in the yard.

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