Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church had its inception in 1867 when Mr. Benjamin Deyerle and his wife Jilianne deeded two acres of land to trustees Henry Clark, Bowyer Beane, Philip Watkins, and Edmond Beale for the purpose of erecting a place of worship for the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  The deed was recorded in Roanoke County on December 28, 1867.  The trustees supervised the construction of a log structure for worship and educational training. Rev. I. K. Plato and Mr. Bowyer Beane, a Cherokee Indian, served as leaders of worship services and teaching.

The first black church in the Roanoke County after the Civil War, Bethel was known as the Cave Spring A.M.E. Church.