Church History
Past and Present
On December 11, 1921, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the late Bishop Oddeous Barber of Christ Temple, Boston, MA
preached a baptismal service at Zion Baptist Church, Lynn, MA, according to Acts 2:38. The late District Elder Lisle Jordan heeded to the word and was baptized in Jesus Name that day. At 8:00 p.m. after spreading the Word to the late District Elder Charles Beckles, Bishop Percy Jordan, Sister Lillian
Beckles and Calrice Jordan, they all went to Boston. Those named, were baptized in Jesus Name! The late Bishop Jordan received the Holy
Ghost that night, and District Elder Beckles and District Elder Jordan both received the Holy Ghost the next day!
Following that, District Elder Beckles was led by God to start services in his home and many souls were blessed and baptized
and filled with the Holy Ghost. May 7th 1922, marked the opening of the formerly known Bethlehem Temple Church
at 22 Charles Street, Lynn, MA under the leadership of District Elder Charles Beckles. Even back then, people did not
believe, it was said that the church would not survive more than three months.
In 1927, still under the leadership of District Elder Charles Beckles, the church relocated to 307 Summer Street, Lynn, MA.
Several years later, the church again relocated to 85 1/2 Blossom Street, Lynn, MA and moved again to 133 Commercial
Street Lynn, MA. District Elder Beckles vision for Bethlehem Temple was to build a church instead of residing in storefronts. The first cornerstone for Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church was laid in 1949. The Bethlehem Temple Church remained at 133 Commercial Street for 78 long years! The late District Elder Charles L. Beckles passed away on November 11, 1959, after achieving his goal of a church for the Bethlehem Temple Church family.
Our current Pastor, Bishop Anthony P. Bennett was baptized on May 7th 1969. This wonderful occurrence happened
during a revival at the Bethlehem Temple Church, 133 Commercial Street. He was baptized in Jesus Name and came up out of the water speaking in tongues. Bishop Bennett then (and now) had a strong desire to be faithful and dedicated in serving the Lord and because of that, he was quickly elevated to Deacon, President of the Young People’s Massachusetts State Council, Minister, Elder and Assistant Pastor.
On September 21, 1996, Bishop Bennett was installed as the current Pastor of the now Greater Bethlehem Temple
Pentecostal Church! Under his leadership the church continued to steadfastly grow!
With his determination, persistence, and God’s blessings, on July 15th, 2000, the Greater Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church had its first service at our present location 21 Light Street, Lynn, MA!
In 2003, under District Elder Bennett’s leadership: "The Church House" was purchased, a place where Guest speakers can stay comfortably.
Shortly after that the church was able to purchase a 32 seat bus. District Elder Bennett did not stop there, he was concerned that a Wheelchair bound member as well as the "seasoned" saints were having a difficult time taking the stairs into the main sanctuary, so he allowed God to guide him and was able to install an elevator specifically for those members! He also added padded pews to the benches! This is a true example of his undying commitment and love for doing God’s work. With Pastor Bennett’s strategic mindset, the church was able to purchase a second edifice in December 2007. Greater Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church No. 2, is located at 93 Euclid Ave, in Lynn. Pastor Bennett was driven to fulfil the vison that God gave him, to spread the word of God throughout Lynn and the surrounding communities.
On October 4, 2008, the General Body of the Greater Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church Ministries, consecrated
District Elder Anthony P. Bennett into the Office of Bishop. May 15, 2010, Bishop Bennett was ordained as Bishop.
September 22, 2012, marked a historical milestone for the Greater Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church. We paid off the
mortgages for our main headquarters located at 21 Light Street, Lynn and our Ministerial Residence at 15 Hathway Street, Lynn, MA. It was truly the Lord’s doing!
In the fall of 2014, the Lord allowed us to purchase a 35 passenger motor coach for the saints.
September 19, 2015 another milestone for the ministry, the Lord allowed us to pay off the mortgage on the edifice at 93
Euclid Avenue, Lynn.
In an effort to reduce cost and for the safety of our members, in 2015 the church purchased a pick-up truck and snow plow.
September 2017 the church purchased a multi-family apartment for future housing for our seniors.
By God’s guidance, with the grace of God, under Bishop Bennett’s leadership and Lady Mavis Bennett, at his side supporting him in his vision
for the church, The Work of The Lord will continue!
preached a baptismal service at Zion Baptist Church, Lynn, MA, according to Acts 2:38. The late District Elder Lisle Jordan heeded to the word and was baptized in Jesus Name that day. At 8:00 p.m. after spreading the Word to the late District Elder Charles Beckles, Bishop Percy Jordan, Sister Lillian
Beckles and Calrice Jordan, they all went to Boston. Those named, were baptized in Jesus Name! The late Bishop Jordan received the Holy
Ghost that night, and District Elder Beckles and District Elder Jordan both received the Holy Ghost the next day!
Following that, District Elder Beckles was led by God to start services in his home and many souls were blessed and baptized
and filled with the Holy Ghost. May 7th 1922, marked the opening of the formerly known Bethlehem Temple Church
at 22 Charles Street, Lynn, MA under the leadership of District Elder Charles Beckles. Even back then, people did not
believe, it was said that the church would not survive more than three months.
In 1927, still under the leadership of District Elder Charles Beckles, the church relocated to 307 Summer Street, Lynn, MA.
Several years later, the church again relocated to 85 1/2 Blossom Street, Lynn, MA and moved again to 133 Commercial
Street Lynn, MA. District Elder Beckles vision for Bethlehem Temple was to build a church instead of residing in storefronts. The first cornerstone for Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church was laid in 1949. The Bethlehem Temple Church remained at 133 Commercial Street for 78 long years! The late District Elder Charles L. Beckles passed away on November 11, 1959, after achieving his goal of a church for the Bethlehem Temple Church family.
Our current Pastor, Bishop Anthony P. Bennett was baptized on May 7th 1969. This wonderful occurrence happened
during a revival at the Bethlehem Temple Church, 133 Commercial Street. He was baptized in Jesus Name and came up out of the water speaking in tongues. Bishop Bennett then (and now) had a strong desire to be faithful and dedicated in serving the Lord and because of that, he was quickly elevated to Deacon, President of the Young People’s Massachusetts State Council, Minister, Elder and Assistant Pastor.
On September 21, 1996, Bishop Bennett was installed as the current Pastor of the now Greater Bethlehem Temple
Pentecostal Church! Under his leadership the church continued to steadfastly grow!
With his determination, persistence, and God’s blessings, on July 15th, 2000, the Greater Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church had its first service at our present location 21 Light Street, Lynn, MA!
In 2003, under District Elder Bennett’s leadership: "The Church House" was purchased, a place where Guest speakers can stay comfortably.
Shortly after that the church was able to purchase a 32 seat bus. District Elder Bennett did not stop there, he was concerned that a Wheelchair bound member as well as the "seasoned" saints were having a difficult time taking the stairs into the main sanctuary, so he allowed God to guide him and was able to install an elevator specifically for those members! He also added padded pews to the benches! This is a true example of his undying commitment and love for doing God’s work. With Pastor Bennett’s strategic mindset, the church was able to purchase a second edifice in December 2007. Greater Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church No. 2, is located at 93 Euclid Ave, in Lynn. Pastor Bennett was driven to fulfil the vison that God gave him, to spread the word of God throughout Lynn and the surrounding communities.
On October 4, 2008, the General Body of the Greater Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church Ministries, consecrated
District Elder Anthony P. Bennett into the Office of Bishop. May 15, 2010, Bishop Bennett was ordained as Bishop.
September 22, 2012, marked a historical milestone for the Greater Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church. We paid off the
mortgages for our main headquarters located at 21 Light Street, Lynn and our Ministerial Residence at 15 Hathway Street, Lynn, MA. It was truly the Lord’s doing!
In the fall of 2014, the Lord allowed us to purchase a 35 passenger motor coach for the saints.
September 19, 2015 another milestone for the ministry, the Lord allowed us to pay off the mortgage on the edifice at 93
Euclid Avenue, Lynn.
In an effort to reduce cost and for the safety of our members, in 2015 the church purchased a pick-up truck and snow plow.
September 2017 the church purchased a multi-family apartment for future housing for our seniors.
By God’s guidance, with the grace of God, under Bishop Bennett’s leadership and Lady Mavis Bennett, at his side supporting him in his vision
for the church, The Work of The Lord will continue!