
CHURCH HISTORY
1873 – Thirteen persons met to take the first steps toward forming a German parish
1873 – The Presbytery formed the parish and received the name:
"Erste Deutsche Presybterianischer Kirche zu Bethanien, Oregon"
(First German Presbyterian Church of Bethany, Oregon)
1874 – Land was donated upon which the church was built A cemetery was established behind the church
1874 – Jacob Wismer became first official Elder
1885 – Land was donated to the church
The first manse was built on this land
1899 – Ladies Aid and Missionary Society was organized
1904 – Dedication Service for the new church
1908 – Retired the remaining debt on the new church
Announced to Presbytery that the congregation had become self-supporting
1915 – A new barn was built
1923 – The congregation celebrated its 50th anniversary
1924 – The Frauenverien (Ladies Aid and Missionary Society) presented the Church with the Silver Communion Pitcher and Chalice, which are still used today
1929 – Congregation voted to discontinue the use of the German language
1929 – An addition was built onto the first manse
1930 – Electricity arrived in Bethany
1930 – A drilled well and pressure water system was added to the church and manse
1936 – Construction on the new manse was completed his is the manse that is located just west of the third church
1939 – The church was remodeled to enlarge the rostrum and auditorium
1947 – Automatic oil heating systems were installed in both the church and manse
1948 – An electric range and water heater was installed in the manse
The Wurlitzer organ and Maas Cathedral Chimes were installed in the church
1948 – Church’s 75th anniversary
1955 – New sanctuary was designed and built
1960 – Ladies Aid and Missionary Society changed its name to Bethany Presbyterian Women
1962 – A storm with hurricane hit the church bad
The steeple, containing the 450-pound church bell, was blown off the second church
An earthquake topple the chimney from the manse. Other than some frayed nerves, no other damage was noted
1963 – Bethany reached its 90th year
1966 – A fire destroyed the upper portion of the second church that had been used as an educational unit for the preceding eight years
1967 – New education wing was dedicated
1973 – Bethany celebrated its 100th Anniversary
1973 – The building fund debt on the Education Wing had been retired
1991 – Bethany formed the Logas program
1970 – Bethany Youth Groups began traveling to churches throughout the western United States and Mexico
1999 – The church bell was moved from the second church to its new home in the bell tower, which stands proudly in the courtyard of the third church
1994 – Ground was broken for a new Christian Education Building
1998 – The church celebrated it’s 125th Anniversary
2000 – The Christian Education Building was dedicated to the memory of Rev. Henry Dickman
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