"Throughout the late eighteenth and into the nineteenth centuries black Americans joined together to address their common problems.  Associations varied in their specific purposes, but each was aimed at promoting the welfare and survival of its members and the civil rights and freedom of African Americans generally" (Horton 125).  Among the institutions established during this time period to accommodate the needs of the black community of Lancaster city is Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.  This church, from its founding and present day members to the organizations that have used it as a meeting house, has proved a unifying factor within the city.

        Bethel, along with various other AME churches in the area, played many roles in the aiding of the community.  One of the starring roles of the AME church is its involvement in the mystical Underground Railroad.  The churches assisted in this series of hidden places and mysterious persons that came to the aid of fugitive slaves in their quest for freedom.  Let us join Dr. Leroy Hopkins as he explains the possible route of a fugitive slave as he passes through the Lancaster area.

Traveling up the Cumberland Valley from Virginia or Maryland, our fugitive slave might seek out the help of a member of the York AME church (founded in 1819).  Proceeding East, our slave would enter Wrightsville where another AME church and a significant Black population could be found.  The fugitive would then cross the Susquehanna River with the help of a boatmen into Columbia.  Arriving in Columbia, our escapee has two options.  The first option is to remain in Columbia where he could take advantage of the employment opportunities provided by Columbia's economy.  The second is to continue on past Columbia and join another nearby community (Hopkins,220).

        Bethel also housed one of the institutions geared to provide Black youth with the opportunity to become educated.  On October 22, 1849, the church trustees and the Board of the Lancaster Common Schools agreed to establish this institution within the structure of Bethel.   The Board agreed to pay the trustees one hundred and fifty dollars toward the erection  of a sunday school house attached to the church building on the condition that the Directors of the Common Schools would be able to use the facilities on week days for their African school.  The Free African School remained in existance throughout the turmoil of the Civil War.  Records of the time suceding the war indicate that the school was situated in a separate building behind the church on the site now occupied by the School District of Lancaster's Adult Enrichment Center.

        In the 1869/70 directory, Bethel was found to be under the leadership of Rev. James Pierce and the African school was still located behind the church.  The only organization listed in this directory, however,  was a masonic lodge.  King Solomao Lodge No. 22 met every Friday evening at the rear of Bethel.  Yet, no information is provided on its members or officers.

        Bethel remained  the focal point of the Black community in the 1860's.  Following the envasion of Fort Sumter, there was a great desire to protect the flag outburst.   We are told from the July 14, 1863 story found in the Daily Evening Express that the Black community of Lancaster immediately offered their services to the union.  A group of volunteers were assembled at Bethel and "marched to the County courthouse to enlist", only to be refused based on the state law that only Whites were permitted to serve in the State militia units.  Despite this refusal Lancaster Blacks did serve in  the Civil War and members of Bethel were enrolled in such prestigious units as the Massachusetts 54th regiment.

        A great triumph in the Black community of Lancaster County and nation wide occurred with President Grant signing the bill that would put the 15th Amendment into action.  This triumph marked a huge step for the Black community which deserved great attention.  In celebration, various cities in the area held parades to honor this step in history, of course, Bethel could be found right in the middle of Lancaster's gathering.    A meeting was held at Bethel to organize a parade; during the meeting Rev. Robert Boston was elected president of the committee and a slate of officers was approved.  The official celebration began with a service held at Bethel on April 26.

What was the significance of this celebration?  Besides symbolizing the joy and relief felt by local Blacks at what they hoped was the conclusion of a long struggle to achieve political equality, the celebration also demonstrated a solidarity, a sort of cameraderie among County Blacks.  The preeminence of Bethel is apparent in the selection of its pastor to organize the celebration and the use of the churchas the starting point  for the parade.  Bethel clearly began the 1870's as one of the most if not the most important institutions in its community( Hopkins 229).