History of The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Schenectady, New York
In March 1952, Coleman and Catherine O'Neil, along with other person's sought to establish an African Methodist Episcopal Church in the City of Schenectady, New York. With the help of Israel A.M.E. Church of Albany, New York, "Nichols Chapel," was brought into the connections. The church was named in honor of the bishop of the First Episcopal District at that time - the Right Reverend Decatur Ward Nichols.
On June 21, 1952, Nichol's Chapel received her first pastor, the Reverend R.N. Christian. Under Rev. Christian's leadership, Nichols Chapel moved from a storefront on Hulett Street to its present location, 540 Mumford Street in February, 1955.
In 1961, in honor of the Mother Church of African Methodism in Philadelphia, the church's name was changed to "Bethel," derived from Genesis 29:17, "This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven."
Currently Bethel is led by their 17th pastor, The Reverend Shirley M. Scott, M. Div.