Layered loading of catalysts with different catalytic properties is studied for oxidative coupling of methane reaction (OCM) in a fixed bed reactor. Layered loading of a more active catalyst Ag-Mn-Na2WO4/SiO2 in front of a more selective one Ce-Mn-Na2WO4/SiO2 compared to loading Mn-Na2WO4/SiO2 catalyst only, lowers reaction temperature and increases selectivity. Such layered loading broadens the temperature range to achieve a high selectivity, which is important for OCM reaction carried out with multi-stage adiabatic fixed bed reactor. Similarly, with a very active La-Ce oxide catalyst loaded in front of a selective catalyst Ce-Mn-Na2WO4/SiO2, the temperature needed to start the reaction is lowered significantly. Therefore, a catalyst bed such as La-Ce oxide can be used as a "pre-heater" for the high temperature OCM reaction to lower the feed temperature. The total CH4 utilization can be improved with this loading strategy.