Southside Bethel Baptist Church had its beginning when Reverend Luther Taylor and wife founded and organized the Evangelistic Missionary Baptist Tabernacle Church in September 1940.  The First church was located upstairs in the house on the corner of 117th Street and Holmes Ave in Los Angeles Ca. in an area called Palm Lane, where Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital now sits.

Approximately three years later, a building and lot were purchased at the 117th Street and Holmes Ave Site.  Original Members included the following families;  The Jamersons, Foxworths, pughs, Singleton’s Will’s, Hardwicks, Whites, Neals, Vada Jacksons, Thompsons,  Mckinleys, Shirleys, Drews, Sis. Henrietta Howard and Family and the Charlie Jackson Family.  The organization included one Deacon, Deacon Solomon Jamerson.  Reverend Taylor Pastored the church until 1945.

In 1947, the church was without a Pastor.  The Baptist Ministers Union recommended Rev. Elliott Brown Sr, who was called by the Deacons and members of Evangelistic Baptist Church in December 1948.  Reverend Brown was installed as Pastor in February 1948 by Reverened Grant Harris of Zion Hill Baptist Church on McKinley Ave.

Reverend Brown’s Family joined in with the work of the church along wit the following families;  The Cornwells, Coles, Colemans, McNeals, Penningtons, Whites, Edwards, Thomases, Harrises and Weavers.  Under Reverend Brown’s leadership, the group purchased and paid for the lots on the north and west sides of the church.

In 1956, the church voted to sell the existing property and make arrangements to purchase another building.  This was accomplished in 1957 when the faithful members of Evangelistic Baptist Church purchased the church on the corner of 104th and San Pedro Street in Los Angeles.  The move was completed in December 1957, at which time the members voted to change the name of the church to Southside Bethel Baptist Church.  Since moving to the new location, the entire block from 104th to 105th Street on San Pedro was purchased and paid for.

Under the Pastorate of Rev. Elliott Brown Sr.  Three ministers and a number of Deacons were ordained.  The ministers were;  Rev. Clifford Harris, Pastor of Abyssinia Baptist Church, Rev. Raymond Cornwell, Pastor of Faith Chapel Baptist Church, and Rev. Allen O. Simmons

In January, 1980, After 32 years of Pastoring the church and surrounding community, Reverend Elliott Brown Sr. retired.  Upon his retiring, Pastor Elliott Brown Sr. proposed to the Deacon Board that Rev. Allen O. Simmons, the Assistant Pastor, Assume the Pastorship of Southside Bethel.  The Board approved and brought the matter before the church body.  The Church accepted Rev. Allen O. Simmons with open arms.

On March 9, 1980, Rev. Allen O. Simmons was installed by Rev. Harrison Trapp, Pastor of Thankful Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Pastor Elliott Brown Sr.  Served as Pastor Emeritus until his passing on March 5, 1981.

Under the Pastorate of Pastor Allen O. Simmons, two young men dedicated their loves to preaching the Gospel and Spreading God’s Word.  Rev. Gary Davis and Rev. Frederick E. Howard.

Under the leadership of Pastor Allen O. Simmons, the physical setting of the church was renovated.  Other accomplishments included the purchase of properties at 105th Street and San Pedro on the East and West Side of Street.  Additional Purchase of Funeral plots at Rose Hills Memorial Park.

In January 1997, we mourned the untimely loss of Pastor Allen O. Simmons, and the Official Board of the Church voted to allow Associate Minister Frederick E. Howard to serve as Pulpit Conductor..

After much Faith and Prayer, the Church voted to receive Rev. Frederick E. Howard as their new Pastor.

Through God’s unfailing grace and mercy, Pastor Frederick E. Howard has served as the visionary leader of Southside Bethel Baptist for the past 16 years.  The physical improvements to the church property include:   A paved parking lot with wrought iron fencing; the establishment of a long term lease with L. A. Urban League which included the renovation of the preschool building; reconstruction of the sanctuary pupil area; renovated bathrooms, prayer room, communion room and a new sanctuary roof; collaboration with Southern Baptist Convention to build a sound booth for the Audio Visual Team and to sponsor a Dental Clinic Van for the community; negotiated a cell tower lease on the property; updated audio visual equipment with screen, projector and flat screen televisions; removed pews and purchased chairs for the sanctuary (paid in full); (8) paid off the property east of the church on 104th Street.

 

The spiritual atmosphere of the church encourages members to magnify and exalt the name of the Lord:
During this time period, more than 300 person are on record as coming forward to accept or renew their commitment to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

 

Three deacons were ordained:  Dea. Cedric Cross, Dea. Carl Mack, Dea. CJ Taylor  Dea. Ozell Allen
Four ministers have been licensed:  Min. Roderick Jones, Min. Donald McTyer,

 

Min. Ozell Allen, Min. Elliott Brown, Min.  Zerline Clay & Min. Dawn Joyner.  -  Min. Ozell Allen, Min. Elliott Brown & Min. Zerline Clay have been ordained

 

Deacons Currently on trial:  Bro. Darnell Martin & Bro. Justin Allen.  Pastor Howard Instituted the Ministry of 12 which also included Community Outreach activities & Instituted our new IGNITE New members Class.  We have done much and yet have so much more to do.  Southside Bethel Baptist continues to work diligently to uphold its purpose of building lives and impacting people for the Kingdom of God.