Our History

As a result of one man's vision and zeal, the Bethel Baptist Church was started in 1979, with only one visitor in a two-bedroom apartment by Pastor Les Griffin, a graduate of Tennessee Temple University. With much prayer and some support, the church grew to the nucleus it needed to stand.

It wasn't long after that, Bethel found refuge at Frankford Avenue and Hagert Street in an old drug store and saw rapid growth. In 1982, Bethel outgrew the Drug Store and made its move to 2210 E. Susquehanna Avenue, where it has experienced much expansion and diversity in its ministries, both to the saved and to the surrounding community. Shortly after its move in 1982, Pastor Dominic Pennachietti became the pastor, and he and his wife Linda have been serving here faithfully until present.

After 7 years of being at 2210 E. Susquehanna, God saw fit to give Bethel the adjoining building with many miracles attached. Today, Bethel stands at this same location, as a lighthouse to this community and to the world. Bethel is a church planting ministry to its surrounding communities and by God's grace will continue to see the inner city won by one corner-front at a time!