Bethel AME Church

About this church

Bethel AME Church in Selma, North Carolina, is a congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church on North Carolina Highway 96. Sunday School, called Church School, begins at 9:30 a.m., and the Sunday Worship Experience follows at 11:00 a.m., held in person and on Facebook Live. A midweek Bible study meets Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. over Zoom. The church uses the words restoring, rebuilding, and redeeming, and states its approach as Love God, Love People, and Prove It.

Bethel is described as one of the oldest Black churches in Johnston County, with roots going back to 1880, when the congregation first gathered under a bush harbor, and a history of more than 140 years of faith and service. The church grounds include a cemetery on land purchased in 1896, and the website tells how the sanctuary and other buildings were added over the decades. The website also explains the history of the AME denomination, founded by Richard Allen and others in Philadelphia. Visitors can sign up for email updates about worship and service opportunities, or ask to join worship by Zoom through the contact page. Confirm times on the website.

Researched from the church’s official website and reviewed October 13, 2026. Sources: Welcome and church story · Service times, address, phone · Congregation history · About the AME denomination

Service times

Confirm current times directly with the church before visiting.

Location