The Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic), headquarters of the Bethel United Church in Jamaica was opened and dedicated on Sunday, December 15, 1968. Thousands of believers in Christ travelled from far and near to witness the historic ceremony.
Built at a cost of £50,000 the church was officially opened by former Chief Justice and Governor General Sir Rowland Phillips. Bishop Sidney Dunn, visionary behind this structure, cited that the main reasons for erecting this church was so that Jamaicans who became Christians while overseas could find a place of worship on their return home. He also saw the need for such a church in Kingston to teach the young people a better way of life in which they could serve their country and become good citizens.
The first pastor was the then Elder Gerald Edmund who was succeeded by Pastor Ira D. Thompson on September 29, 1969. The church has grown tremendously over the years. It emphasises the spiritual, social and physical well being of a person.
To facilitate the smooth functioning of the church, different departments have been organised. These include: Sunday School, Young People, Brotherhood, Women, Outreach, Music, Usher and Deacon Board, and Radio Ministries. A number of social programmes have also been designed specifically to help the less fortunate, especially those in the immediate environs of the church, under the umbrella of Bethel United Project HELP. The future is bright for the Bethel United Church, as under God we continue to cater to the whole man.