About

The Bethel Baptist Church was organized on July 25, 1961, and met in an unfinished addition to the carport at 4655 Apple Cove in Memphis, Tennessee. The house at that address was used as the pastor’s home and as an educational facility for the first sixteen months. On September 1, 1961, Dr. Roy Westmoreland came to Bethel as its first pastor and was paid the meager salary of $ 25.00 per week. The attendance on his first Sunday was thirty-two.

His dear wife, Mrs. LaVerne Westmoreland was a vital part of the ministry of Bethel Baptist Church, as well as their  three sons, Monty, Dr. Ron, and Timmy. They had left a thriving work in Arkansas with a better than average salary to take this work because he felt the call of God to do so.  No one but the Westmoreland family can know the hardships of such a move, but the blessings of God on their lives as well as the lives of thousands of church members will only be revealed in eternity. Untold  thousands have been saved and baptized either in Bethel Baptist Church or through its outreach ministries and many have surrendered to the special call of God and are now serving the Lord in various parts of the world.