Sources differ on the organization of this African American congregation, but it was most likely started around 1887 (WPA Report) or 1889 (Chapin). At its founding, the congregation had around fifteen members (WPA report) or 25 members (Atwater), but by the 1930s that number had increased to 250. Its first meetings were held in a member’s hairdressing parlor at 520 Nicollet, with later meetings being held in Freyers Hall at 505-1/2 Washington Avenue, South, and in the Peck Building. The church at 1118 South 8th Street was dedicated on January 31, 1892. Dedication ceremonies included speeches made by several White dignitaries, including Isaac Atwater, George A. Pillsbury, and others. The new church contained two memorial windows: one in memory of the wife of John Allison, and one in memory of Mrs. Ware. A sketch of the church appears in Atwater (page 209). The parsonage, purchased in 1926, was at 2737 11th Avenue South. Bethesda was the mother church to Zion Baptist.