We are A Jude 3 Church, with Acts 2 power; expecting 2nd Corinthians 5 results!
Church History
The Late Rev. John Joseph organized and founded Bethany Baptist Church on February 12, 1932. Under the leadership of Rev. Joseph, the founding fathers labored to prepare a meeting place at 327 West 126th Street, New York City. Rev. Joseph served as pastor from 1932 to 1934.
In 1934, Rev. Henry Brooks was elected as pastor. Bethany continued to progress and grow under the leadership of Rev. Brooks. Under his pastoral leadership, the next edifice at 308 West 133rd Street was purchased. The idea of a well-organized church with specific duties for boards and groups was formed. Again the membership grew and the need for a larger edifice made it necessary for a larger church. The membership then decided to purchase the site on 153rd Street. Rev. Henry Brooks served as pastor from 1934 to 1954. Rev. Brooks successfully led the church for twenty years with many new additions.
In July 1954, Rev. (Pop) Brooks died and Rev. Elmer Brooks began his duties as acting pastor. On February 14, 1955, Rev. Elmer Brooks was elected as pastor. On February 22, 1957, Rev. Elmer Brooks led the membership in their march from 133rd Street to 153rd Street to the new edifice.
Under Elmer Brooks’ leadership, history was made as he labored teaching and preaching the gospel. Several church ministries were formed: The Chancel Choir, Mothers’ Board, Get Acquainted Committee, Church Aide Society, Host and Hostess Committee, Scholarship Committee and many others. Rev. Brooks served faithfully until he retired on May 29, 1975.
On August 7, 1975, Rev. Elijah Bennett assumed the helm. Under Rev. Bennett’s leadership several additions were added. The cross that stands as a beacon light to the community was erected, the church van was purchased, the Boy’s and Girl’s Scouts units were formed and five deacons were ordained. The housing committee was formed and Henry Brooks Senior Housing was built and opened in June 1994. Rev. Bennett served as pastor from 1975 until June 29, 1994.
In July 1994, a pulpit committee was formed and the Late Deacon Jasper Laster was elected as the committee chairman. The following committee members labored long and hard in a search for a pastor: Deacon John Harris, Trustee Pearl Jones, Mrs. Elizabeth Copeland and Brother Edward Muse.
The Church continued to go forward under the leadership of Deacon Arthur Brown, Chairman, Deacon John Harris, Vice Chairman and the entire Deacon Board. Trustee Marion Cokley, Chairman, Trustee Darren Richburg, Vice Chairman and the entire Trustee Board worked side by side with Deacon Brown and the Pulpit Committee. After much searching and praying for a pastor, on June 1, 1995, Rev. Robert W. Wright, III was elected as the fifth pastor of the Bethany Baptist Church. Rev. Wright was a young man with a vision for the church, spirit filled, humble and God loving. We were very proud of our pastor. As a new pastor, Rev. Wright brought new programs, some very basic and very important things to accomplish.
With God on our side, Rev. Wright along with the support of his Deacons, Trustees and members were able to add many new ideas and changes for the betterment of the church.
Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Robert W. Wright, III, new Chairmen of the Boards were elected; Deacon Steven A. Robinson, Deacon Tommie Laster, Trustee Darren Richburg and Trustee Pearl Jones. The Housing Committee was reorganized into the Dream Team. Deacon Steven Robinson was reelected as Chairman. Bethany Development Outreach at Mt. Morris Plaza reached completion and the church is anticipating the start of Bethany Place. This project will include multifamily housing, a primary health care center, a pharmacy and renovation of our Church. Under Rev. Wright’s leadership many innovated programs were developed to carry forth the great commission.
Rev. Dr. Robert W. Wright, III served as pastor of Bethany from June 1995 through October 2005.
In 2006 a Pulpit Committee diligently searched for an Under Shepherd to lead the congregation by the guidance and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Pulpit Committee led by Deacon Theodore Copeland and members: Trustee Linzia Zimmerman, Sister Hattie Ballard, Sister Yvonne Plowden, Brother Lyndon Prince, Trustee Pearl Jones and Deacon Robert Knowles prayed that God would guide them as they continued to move forward by the power of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
The Rev. Dr. William L. Watkins, Jr. stood in to support the church in every way that his service was needed by preaching our 1st Sunday Worship Services. Dr. Watkins also served as advisor for the Vacation Bible School.
The Church continued to grow by the grace of God and the bonding together of Deacon Steven A. Robinson, Chairman, and the Deacon Ministry along with Trustee Darren L. Richburg, Chairman, and the Trustee Ministry and the Pulpit Ministry. On February 2, 2008, God our Father under the guidance of the Holy Ghost led the church to elect Rev. Dr. Kris F. Erskine of College Station, Texas as the sixth pastor of the Bethany Baptist Church. We look forward to developing many new ideas and ministries services under Dr. Erskine’s leadership. After six years of pastoral leadership Rev. Kris F. Erskine and his family relocated to Alabama.
Rev. Evelyn Mayrant continued carrying out the ministerial duties of the congregation, including preaching our worship services, visiting the sick, administering baptism and communion, conducting funerals and weddings and serving as a representative for the Baptist church associations, including the National Baptist Association.
Under the leadership of Deacon Steven Robinson, Chairman of the Diaconate Ministry and Trustee Darren Richburg, Chairman of the Trustees Ministry the Bethany Baptist Church continued to labor in the vineyard until a new Pastor is called to serve. The pulpit committee was led by Mr. Brian Tolbert, Chairman, Ms. Ruth McLeod, secretary, Deaconess Donna Hargrove, Deaconess Louise Williams, Sister Irene Robinson, Sister Sylvia Richburg and Sister Cassandra Mattis. On Saturday, October 22, 2016 the Bethany Church elected Rev. Quinton Chad Foster to be the Pastor Elect. On August 6, 2017, he was installed as the 7th Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church. As Rev. Foster preached “Jesus Christ is the driver” we labored to proclaim and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Compiled by: Deacon Steven Robinson, Sister Ruth McLeod, and Deacon Edward R. Muse, Church Historian
Reverend Quinton Chad Foster
is the pastor of the Bethany Baptist Church in the village of Harlem, New York, NY. He is a native of Houston, Texas. Born on April 23, 1970. Born-Again April 23, 1977. He is a fifth generation preacher/pastor. He acknowledged his call to preach at the age of twelve.
Rev. Foster’s education consists of a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee with Homiletics as his major, with a concentration in Exegesis. His graduate studies were done at the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Additional studies were completed at the Vanderbilt Divinity School (Nashville, Tennessee) & the Houston Bible Institute (Houston, Texas).
He has been blessed to have preached, taught and lectured in forty-two of the 50 states and in two Canadian provinces.
In 2003, he brought the morning message to the parent body before the President’s address at the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc. (Kansas City, Missouri). He was a part of the host committee for the 2005 National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc. Congress of Christian Education (Houston, Texas). Once again in September 2011, Pastor Foster preached at the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. during the Parent Body session (Orlando, FL).
He has received several awards and innumerable recognitions in the areas of preaching and teaching, most notably: The American Baptist College Homiletics Department Award for Outstanding Preaching Ability.
For 4 years (2012-2015) Pastor Foster gave leadership to the pastors and ministers division of the Empire Missionary Baptist State Convention of New York. Under his leadership, this auxiliary experienced exponential growth and renewed enthusiasm.
Pastor Foster epitomizes what it means to have “a Shepherd’s heart”, through his fierce passion for expository preaching and teaching, his patience with the people of God. As they mature in the faith, his purity of personality (authenticity) as he shepherds God’s chosen people and his portly sense of humor makes him a very rare leader in a day of charlatan practitioners.
Pastor Foster is dedicated to and blood earnest about sound doctrine and the proper interpretation of the biblical narrative for the purpose of proper application.
Pastor Foster unwaveringly believes in the total inerrancy of the divinely inspired written Word of God. He preaches and teaches that Salvation is BY Scripture ALONE, THROUGH Faith ALONE, BY Grace ALONE, THROUGH Christ ALONE and FOR the Glory of God ALONE!
Pastor Foster’s main hobby (when he is not preaching and teaching) is anything that involves his son. Be it WWE, basketball, baseball, playing video games, taking him to and from school or just talking to his son (Quince). No other activity brings Pastor Foster more joy and fulfillment.
The Bethany Baptist Church family considers themselves blessed to have this unique man of God as its shepherd/teacher!
Rev. Evelyn Mayrant
Associate Minister
Rev. Leroy Thomas
Associate Minister
