I can start apache
 

have configured & make & make install httpd.2.0.53
but when I try to run apache using apachectl start i get "bash command not found" i have not edited anything form the default httpd.conf file
I have looked in the /usr/local/apache2/bin and the file is there it is just not running.

You could use the whole path like this:
/usr/local/apache2/bin/apachectl start
Or change to /usr/local/apache2/bin and run:
./apachectl start

try to use apachectl start as root

the ./apachectl start worked fine

another question is why this information is not in the manual ?

thanks man