In the fall of 1946, the Rev. L. H. Kelley, at the invitation of Mrs. Lucy Driver, who had received spiritual help under his ministry at the East Washington (now Forestville) Church, held a prayer meeting in her home in Oaklawn, Maryland. As a result of that first meeting, regular Sunday school and preaching services were held in a garage at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Hopper.
After a series of evangelistic services held in a tent alongside Allentown Road, a society was formed. The five Charter Members of 1946 were: Mrs. Agnes Hockman, Mrs. Ann Hopper, Mrs. Maudie Parsons, Mrs. Ollie Morgan, and Mrs. Benjamin Franklin. These members first designated the church as Oaklawn, which became Fort Washington, Bethel in 1947.
Services were held in the tent until late in 1947, when the church building was completed on a lot donated by Mrs. Hockman. The building was erected by the Rev. Mr. Kelley and a number of volunteer workers. The pulpit and pews were handmade, and two organs were donated.
Several more members were added under the ministry of the Rev. L. J. Mulholland, who served as supply pastor from 1948 to 1954. It was during this time that the Woman’s Missionary Society presented an electric organ to the church, and a decision was made to build a parsonage and to accept the responsibility of a full-time pastor. The Maryland-Virginia Conference agreed to assist in the payment of the pastor’s salary. The society elected Mrs. Hockman its first delegate to the Annual Conference of 1949.
From 1954 to 1959, Rev. Alma Frederick and Sr. Lillian Kelley (now Mrs. A. F. Vander Linden) were the first full-time resident pastors. During their pastorate, the parsonage was completed, and the pastors left the trailer which had been their first home at Bethel. Also, during this time, three new Sunday school rooms were built in 1956 and they, as well as the parsonage, were paid for.
The General Commission on Evangelism had made a grant of $500.00 to the total building cost of $3,000.00. This debt was cancelled in two years. The Conference Board Of Evangelism aided the society by continuing to supplement the pastor’s salary. The membership numbered 48 when the Rev. Alma Frederick retired in 1959.
Annual Conference that year appointed the Rev. Irving R. Ball, Sr., as pastor, in which position he remained until 1965. Because of the general condition of the church building and the need for more space due to increased attendance, the Rev. Mr. Ball started a drive to obtain money for the down payment on a new church. Through bond sales, donations, and pledges, this was accomplished, and the present modern building was erected at 8411 Allentown Road, Ft. Washington. It is interesting to note that “dime-a-week” pledges were made by the very young Sunday school pupils and that the promises were kept. The new building was dedicated on November 1, 1964, with Bishop Paul N. Ellis officiating. Our training program was greatly expanded and the church became even more active in community affairs. An excellent music program was in effect while the Rev. Mr. Ball was pastor.
The next pastor was the Rev. Paul E. Guisler, Sr. He served from 1965 to 1970 and it was during this time that the society became fully self-supporting.
The Rev. Lyman Lancaster arrived in 1970. Great progress was made in three areas under his ministry. Attendance increased by about 75%; a very active visitation program was directed by the Light and Life Men’s International Fellowship; and great stress was placed on “missions”, with a resulting increase in missionary giving of about 500%. In addition, a fifth Sunday offering program was started to reduce the mortgage and to provide funds for plant maintenance. During this period there was a great moving of the Holy Spirit, and many were won to Christ.
In 1977, a new parsonage was purchased during the term of the Rev. Lynn K. McCarty, and the former parsonage became a Sunday school annex. Further improvements include central air-conditioning and a blacktopped parking lot. An active ministry of outreach to the community has continued.
The Rev. Marvin W. Sweezy served as pastor from 1980 to 1984. The Rev. Charles E. Woods served from the years 1984 to 1987.
The Rev. Ronald Hurlburt was appointed as pastor in 1987 and served until November, 1989.
The Rev. Robert J. Magee, Sr. served as Interim Pastor from December, 1989 through March, 1990.
The Rev. Robert J. Magee, Sr. served as senior pastor from April 1st, 1990 to May 31st, 1995.
The Rev. Daniel A. Norheim served as pastor from July 1995
The Rev. Lisa Fiddermon served as senior pastor from July 11, 2014 to September 12, 2019.
The Rev. Miguel Rivera served as senior pastor from October 2019 to July 2025.
The Rev. Shalom A. Muddamalla is serving as the interim pastor since January 4th, 2026.