The original site of the Bethel A.M.E. Church was in Bethel Hollow, which was 50 rods (or 825 feet) up Cedar Street. Driving South out of town on Main Street, look to your left after you round the curve and you can still see the stone remains of the original church.
In 1877, the ground on which it sat was sold, so as to make room for the new Jacob Tome School and its property. The church then moved from the extreme South end of town to the extreme North end of town, along Rock Run. Along Rock Run, meetings were held in a tent or, during Winter months, the Church Hall which was a tall, 2-story building above the bridge in Rock Run. That has long since burned.
Ground was purchased for the current location and in 1911, the congregation had a new place to call home.
Tragedy struck November 6, 1966 when Bethel AME Church of Port Deposit was gutted by fire including all contents. One year later reconstruction began and was completed by 1970 under the leadership of the Rev. Leo Anderson.
