Hotel District in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Big Bethel A.M.E. Church

Auburn Avenue

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021

1. Big Bethel A.M.E. Church Marker

Inscription. The churches of Auburn Avenue — especially Big Bethel A.M.E., Wheat Street Baptist and Ebenezer Baptist — have played a dual role: they are places of worship, and they are centers of political, economic and social activity.

Founded during the 1840s by slaves and free Blacks, Bethel is Atlanta's oldest African American church. Bethel's congregation became affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1865 and came to this site in 1867 under the leadership of Pastor Wesley Gaines. Since the 1870s, Big Bethel has hosted civil rights rallies, businessmen's meetings, graduations, concerts, and holiday parties. Since 1930, crowds have flocked to the church for an annual performance of the play, “Heaven Bound.” In 1990, Nelson Mandela spoke from the same pulpit at which President William Taft had appeared a century earlier.

Caption: View of the facade of the Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church from the street on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia. Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center, VIS 158.09.07 (Marker Number 6.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location.

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33° 45.336′ N, 84° 22.837′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in the Hotel District. Marker is at the intersection of Auburn Avenue NE and Jesse Hill Jr. Drive NE, on the right when traveling west on Auburn Avenue NE. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta GA 30303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Big Bethel A.M.E. Church (a few steps from this marker); Bronner Brothers Store (a few steps from this marker); Odd Fellows Building and Auditorium (within shouting distance of this marker); Integration of the Police Department (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Calhoun Park (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named John Calhoun Park (about 400 feet away); Hanley's Funeral Home (about 400 feet away); Auburn Avenue Underpass (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Also see . . .
1. Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. New Georgia Encyclopedia on the church. (Submitted on November 22, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia (1847-). BlackPast entry on the church by Kayla Schott-Bresler, posted March 5, 2014. (Submitted on November 22, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021

2. Big Bethel A.M.E. Church Marker

Featured marker is just out of camera range on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 21, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on November 22, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.