Original Parsonage and First Church Building In September of 1932, the congregation acquired its first property, a residence on First Avenue East. The house was remodeled to provide a chapel as well as housing for the pastor. The chapels furnishings, which cost $82, included an altar fashioned from a library table, a pulpit hand-crafted by one of the members, hymnals, collection plates and used folding chairs acquired from a dealer in beer parlor equipment. The little chapel served the congregation until 1938, when a white frame church was erected at 2044 First Ave. NE. Rev. Steege served Bethany from 1932 through 1942. He was followed by Rev. E. W. Wuggazer who served from 1942 through 1964. It was during Wuggazers service that the church building and parsonage on Forest Drive was built. Rev. A. C. Hornbostel served the congregation from 1965 to 1976. Rev. Ronald Pfluger served Bethany from 1977 to 1999. In 1987, the congregation undertook a $600,000 building project to expand the church facilities to what they are today. Bethany added Preschool and Moms Morning Out in the early 80s and renovated its sanctuary with Wood Carvings and Furnishings in the chancel in 1997. Rev. Joseph Polzin served as the Senior Pastor from 2002 to 2011. Rev. Michael Erickson came to Bethany in 2012 and is currently serving as the Senior Pastor.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 00:33:55 +0000