A warm welcome to our visitors! You may be new to us, but you are known and loved by God.
"Let him who thirsts, Come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."​Revelation 22:17
OUR CHURCH HISTORY
Bethel Baptist Church was organized in 1912 in the home of one of its (8) charter members, the late Reverend Charles Johnson. The church was organized under the name; Elm Baptist Church and was incorporated in 1915. The church’s name was later changed to Bethel Baptist Church. After the purchase of land at 157 Standwood Street, (under Pastor Murray) the Church’s name is now: The Bethel Baptist Church Ministries of Roxbury, Inc. Bethel Baptist Church has been in existence now for 112 years.
​
Bethel Baptist Church was formerly located at the corner of Lenox Street and Shawmut Avenue under the leadership of Reverend Jeltz, who succeeded Reverend Johnson as Pastor. After the passing of Reverend Jeltz, Reverend Batts became Bethel’s Pastor. Reverend Charles Gray became Pastor Batts’ assistant. Under Reverend Batts’ leadership, our present location (18 Saint James Street) was purchased.
​
In the 112 years, Bethel has had only a total of (6) Pastors and (1) Interim Pastor. The others being: Rev. Campbell and Rev. Harris. Our present Pastor; Reverend Franklin Murray Sr., has been at the helm for 36 years. The late, Reverend Fred Cowan was his assistant for many of those years. Rev. Lloyd was the interim pastor at the time Rev. Murray came. Bethel also has (3) Associate Ministers: Reverend Ferguson, Rev. Dr. Tina Saxon, and Minister Veale.
Although satan has reared his head on numerous occasions, great things have happened and is still happening here at the Bethel Baptist Church; and to God be the glory, for it all belongs to Him. He/God has brought us thus far and by faith, will see us through.
OUR PASTOR
Rev. Franklin Murray, Sr., Pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church of Roxbury, MA, is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. Before being called to Bethel Baptist Church, he was an associate minister at the Morning Star Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. John Borders III.
​
Pastor Murray came to Bethel on the 2nd Sunday in October 1988 and was officially installed as the new pastor on Sunday, December 11, 1988. Pastor Murray (under God) has been the under-shepherd of Bethel for 36 years (October 2024).
Pastor Murray is a family man. He is a husband of 61 years to First Lady Deaconess Essie Murray. He is the father of (5) living children, grandfather of 28, and great-grandfather of 5. He is very present in the lives of his family and the children of Bethel.
​
Since coming to Bethel, Pastor Murray has accomplished much. Many ministries have been started under the pastor's leadership, and others are yet to be birthed.
​
Pastor Murray loves to preach, teach, and sing. Pastor Murray's greatest desire is to preach to the Glory of God until the day God says, "Well done."
​
​
​
II Timothy 4:2&5
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
OUR CHURCH'S COVENANT
Having been led as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour; and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, Angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into Covemant with one another, as one body in Christ.
​
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian Love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our affections; prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. In case of difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to study diligently the word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances, to walk circumspectly in the world; to be kind and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the services we promise others, endeavoring in the purity of heart and good will toward all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith.
​
We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every good word and work; to guard each others reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others, to participate in each others joy, and with tender sympathy bear one another's burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of our Saviour in the eighteen chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live to the glory of God, who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
​
When we remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's word.
​