History of Bethel A.M.E. Church of Desoto City
1926-2026
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Desoto City, Florida, stands today as a testament to endurance, faith, and community strength. Founded in 1926, soon after the establishment of Desoto City itself, Bethel has been the one institution that never faltered, even when the community’s growth did not unfold as early settlers had hoped. As the church’s own history affirms, it has remained the only church which has endured here… continuing a source of strength, even when the community failed to grow as anticipated.
Founding Under the Brush Arbor
The story begins with James Shackelford, who requested that the conference send a pastor to serve the new community. The conference responded by appointing Rev. Jones of Fort Lauderdale, who began holding worship services under a simple brush arbor—humble beginnings that reflected both the resourcefulness and devotion of the early congregation.
The first members included the Shackelford brothers—Hayward, Neil, and Clarence—along with Sister Viola Woods, revered as the Mother of the Church and a Deaconess. Arthur Porter served as the pastor’s steward, and families such as the Locketts, McGowans, Porters, Wrights, and Bone soon joined, forming the foundation of a church that would span generations.
Early Pastors and the First Church Buildings
Rev. Jones was succeeded by Rev. Nathaniel Dennard, who served before the end of the conference year and later returned in the early 1950s. During these early decades, Bethel’s congregation worshipped in a variety of spaces—including a former entertainment house where “illegal refreshments had been serviced,” a building that was eventually torn down and rebuilt as a church on the same parcel of land.
The roster of early pastors reads like a roll call of devoted servants:
Rev. J.S. Garmond, T. James Williams, Ira Fayson, “Big Jim” Smith, W.L. Gainer, J.B. Blacknell, Gilbert F.H. Conner, R.H. Hooks, and Rev. Charles Watson**, who served in 1934 and again in the 1960s and helped compile the church’s written history.
The first Methodist church building was eventually lost to fire. Undeterred, Rev. Ira Fayson erected another structure behind the present church. Later, Rev. Milton Fayson built the current stone sanctuary—a sturdy and beautiful house of worship that still stands today—along with its “twin sister” church, Bethel A.M.E. of Lake Placid.
The 1945 Dedication and Community Leadership
At the dedication of the stone church in 1945, Bethel’s leadership reflected the strength and unity of the congregation. Stewards included **Earnest McGowan, C.B. Porter, and Oliver Wright. Trustees and stewardesses such as Sister Viola Woods, Sister Ida Mae Lockett, Alice McGowan, Annie Ruth Shaw, and Tressie Carpenter played vital roles in sustaining the church’s ministries and operations.
During these years, Bethel served not only as a spiritual center but also as a school, providing education and stability for the community. The church also shared warm fellowship with its sister congregations—Bethel Frostproof and Bethel Lake Placid—and occasionally with a local Baptist church founded by Rev. Mathis Landy.
Pastoral Leadership Through the Decades
Following Rev. Milton Fayson’s tenure, Bethel continued to be shepherded by a long line of dedicated pastors, including:
Rev. Walker, Louis Palms (twice), Louis Asbury, Woods, Fayson, Humphy, Melvin Byrd, Tommy Lee Williams, B.A. Grant, Presiding Elder C.W. Hunt, Elijah Murphy, W.E. Johnson, Rubin E. Ancrum, Alfred D. Jones, Jack Washington, Brandi Ancrum, and Julian Fullmer.
Under Rev. Rubin E. Ancrum, the church underwent significant renovations “inside and outside,” strengthening both its physical structure and its spiritual presence in the community.
A Modern Blessing
In 2014, Bethel received a transformative gift when Arthur Ward Jr. blessed the church with a generous tithe. This contribution allowed Bethel to remodel its interior, replace pews, update pulpit furniture, and install new carpeting—ensuring that the sanctuary remained a beautiful and welcoming place for worship.
A Legacy of Endurance
From brush arbor beginnings to a stone sanctuary that has stood for generations, Bethel A.M.E. Church of Desoto City embodies resilience, faith, and community devotion. It has weathered fires, economic challenges, and shifting demographics, yet its doors have remained open, its mission unwavering.
For a century, Bethel has been a spiritual anchor, a place of fellowship, a center of education, and a home for countless families whose stories are woven into the fabric of Highlands County. Its history is not merely a record of pastors and buildings—it is a living testament to the power of faith and the strength of a community united in purpose.