| 1525 Michigan Avenue Buffalo, New York 14209 (716) 886-1650 Phone (716) 886-2311 Fax bethelbflo@yahoo.com |
| Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church |
Rev. Richard Allen Stenhouse is an Ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. A native of Buffalo, New York, he was educated
in the Buffalo Public Schools, received a BS degree in Mathematics from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and Masters of Divinity from United
Theological Seminary, here in Western New York.
in the Buffalo Public Schools, received a BS degree in Mathematics from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and Masters of Divinity from United
Theological Seminary, here in Western New York.
Rev. Stenhouse began his Pastoral Ministry in 1982 as Pastor of Bethel AME Church, in Lackawanna, NY, where he served two years. He led the
congregation in purchasing and renovating its present location at 21 Steelawanna Avenue. In August 1984, he assumed the Pastorate of Bethel A. M. E.
Church in Norwalk, Connecticut,after being appointed by Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand. In June 1997, Bishop Phillip R. Cousin appointed him to the
Pastorate of historic Bethel AME Church in Buffalo, New York.
congregation in purchasing and renovating its present location at 21 Steelawanna Avenue. In August 1984, he assumed the Pastorate of Bethel A. M. E.
Church in Norwalk, Connecticut,after being appointed by Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand. In June 1997, Bishop Phillip R. Cousin appointed him to the
Pastorate of historic Bethel AME Church in Buffalo, New York.
As pastor of Bethel-Buffalo, Rev. Stenhouse is the Executive Director of Bethel Head Start, the longest running and largest Head Start program in Western
New York.
Under His leadership, Bethel Church formed the Bethel Community Development Corporation through a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) grant from the
Chase Manhattan Foundation. The CDC was successful in securing a fifty thousand dollar ($50,000) grant from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation
(LISC), as well as an executive from the City of Buffalo to work for the Bethel CDC, and a one million, five hundred thousand dollar ($1.5 million), three
year grant from Fleet Bank and LISC.
Over the past fourteen (14) years, Rev. Stenhouse has led Bethel CDC in constructing twenty-five (25) single family homes in the Cold Spring area of
Buffalo for low-moderate income families. In partnership with Belmont Shelter Corp., the following projects were completed: twenty-nine (29) rent to
own houses, the renovation of a five bedroom house, a strip mall housing four businesses, a day care facility housing four Head Start classrooms and the
purchase of two structures, 1461 Main Street and 1487 Jefferson in Buffalo that houses Bethel Head Start administrative offices and Head Start
classrooms with a value of $700,000. Bethel CDC has received a $700,000 grant from New York State to renovate the unfinished side of building at
1461 Main Street. Bethel CDC has property holdings of $4.7 million dollars.
New York.
Under His leadership, Bethel Church formed the Bethel Community Development Corporation through a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) grant from the
Chase Manhattan Foundation. The CDC was successful in securing a fifty thousand dollar ($50,000) grant from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation
(LISC), as well as an executive from the City of Buffalo to work for the Bethel CDC, and a one million, five hundred thousand dollar ($1.5 million), three
year grant from Fleet Bank and LISC.
Over the past fourteen (14) years, Rev. Stenhouse has led Bethel CDC in constructing twenty-five (25) single family homes in the Cold Spring area of
Buffalo for low-moderate income families. In partnership with Belmont Shelter Corp., the following projects were completed: twenty-nine (29) rent to
own houses, the renovation of a five bedroom house, a strip mall housing four businesses, a day care facility housing four Head Start classrooms and the
purchase of two structures, 1461 Main Street and 1487 Jefferson in Buffalo that houses Bethel Head Start administrative offices and Head Start
classrooms with a value of $700,000. Bethel CDC has received a $700,000 grant from New York State to renovate the unfinished side of building at
1461 Main Street. Bethel CDC has property holdings of $4.7 million dollars.
Rev. Stenhouse is President and a founding member of the Buffalo Jeremiah Partnership, a historic partnership of eight (8) faith-based institutions on the
East Side of Buffalo. Founded in 2003, this partnership addresses the housing, economic development and educational needs of the East Side of Buffalo.
East Side of Buffalo. Founded in 2003, this partnership addresses the housing, economic development and educational needs of the East Side of Buffalo.
In September 2003, Reverend Stenhouse was appointed to the Board of Regents of Canisius College where he has served two 3 year terms and the
Community Advisory Committee of Buffalo State where he served 6 years. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of LEWAC Associates of
WNY Inc. and previously served on the Board of Directors of Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Buffalo.
Community Advisory Committee of Buffalo State where he served 6 years. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of LEWAC Associates of
WNY Inc. and previously served on the Board of Directors of Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Buffalo.
Rev. Stenhouse is married to the former Sharon Davis and is the son of Edward and Thelma Stenhouse, who were founding members of Agape A.M.E.
Church in Buffalo, NY. He has one daughter, Nicole; three grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
Church in Buffalo, NY. He has one daughter, Nicole; three grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
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