Founded in 1932, the church was led by C. L. Franklin from 1946 until 1979 and was at the center of the civil rights movement in Detroit.

[5] On March 10, 1963, the church moved to the previously dilapidated Oriole Theater at the corner of Linwood and Philadelphia in Detroit.

The Detroit Free Press described the new structure as follows: "The row of glass doors at the entrance and the vast expanse of whiteness inside gives one the feeling of entering a miniature Cobo Hall.

"[5] More than 2,000 persons participated in a procession of cars from the temporary home at the Gold Coast Theater to the new site.

Events occurring at New Bethel included: On March 29, 1969, the church was rented by the Republic of New Africa as the site of a black separatist convention.

[19][20] During the incident, police fired into the church, causing extensive damage, and resulting in the need for financing to repair the "bullet-scarred" building.

[21][22] In May 1969, as the controversy over the police raid and shooting continued, Franklin was arrested by Detroit police who claimed that they found marijuana in his luggage; Franklin denied the charge, wondered if the incident was connected to the church shooting, and asserted, "Somebody wants to disgrace me.

[29] His funeral, held at New Bethel, was reported to be the largest in Detroit history, and featured Jesse Jackson as a speaker.

[31] Since the 1960s, New Bethel has been the site of funerals and memorial services for many notable Detroit residents, including the following: Aretha Franklin was also married to Glynn Turman there in April 1978 in a ceremony featuring singing by The Four Tops.