1888-1893
Bethany Evangelical Church was organized under the leadership of Rev. Abraham Schneck. Several interested individuals and families were invited by him to attend a series of meetings, which he conducted, beginning sometime in 1888 in a vacant store, previously a meat market, located on the northeast corner of Jefferson and Sheridan Avenues in Detroit, MI. Religious services were conducted at this location until 1893. It was at this time that conversations began around the idea of formal organization and incorporation. On November 16, 1893, it was decided to organize a church within the Reformed Church in the United States. A form of congregational constitution was presented by the Pastor, the Rev. Schneck, which was adopted.
The following pastor ministered unto the congregation:
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1894-1908
During the annual meeting on January 1, 1894, it was decided to incorporate as a religious organization. On April 1 of the same year, a decision was reached to affiliate with the Zion Classis of Toledo, Ohio, under the jurisdiction of the Reformed Church in the United States. At this time, a little frame church was erected on the corner of Shipherd and St. Paul Avenues.
The following pastors ministered unto the congregation:
In 1907, the Bethany congregation asked to be released from the Zion Classis. Negotiations to this end were entered into with the Zion Classis and on March 16, 1908, it was voted to pay the Zion Classis the sum of $750.00 to cancel all obligations to that body. On July 21, 1908, the Zion Classis officially and formally released the congregation for all obligations to it. |
At the same time, the congregation decided to sever its association with the Reformed Church in the United States and voted to affiliate with the Evangelical Synod of North America and to apply for membership in that denomination. The application was granted and on September 10, 1908, the council was authorized to transfer the congregational property to the newly organized Bethany Evangelical Congregation established as of June 25, 1908. By a vote duly taken the Reformed Bethany Church officially disbanded.
1909-1953
The newly organized congregation called the Rev. Andrew Martin as their pastor and within a very short time new hopes and new ideas inspired the congregation to adopt the following resolutions at the meeting of April 12, 1909:
At the time of this purchase, the location was at the outer edge of the inhabited area of the city. There were no drains or sewers and street paving had no yet been thought of. The lot on which the parsonage stands was so low in places and retained so much water in wet seasons that it had to be filled in to a depth of three or four feet. The plot of land between Vernor, Iroquois and Charlevoix was so heavily wooded, that a portable sawmill was brought in and sawed out some 200,000 to 300,000 feet of oak |
lumber.
Since the congregation had at no time a owned a parsonage, it was immediately decided to build one on the new location, and in August 1909, the contract was awarded for the sum of $2,985.00, and in November, the pastor and his family could move into their new home. Within a very short time the old church was moved from its former location on St. Paul and Shipherd and rededicated on its new location on the newly acquired property.
It was soon apparent that a new church building was essential to the growth of the congregation and in the year 1911 a building committee was appointed. Building operations were soon underway and a beautiful church edifice was finished and formally dedicated on November 17, 1912.
Originally all services were conducted in the German language. In July 1918, a provision was made for one English service, which was held on the first Sunday of the month; later English and German services were held on alternate Sundays and then both, a German and English service were held every Sunday.
The following pastors ministered unto the congregation:
The following pastors ministered unto the congregation:
On March 27, 1953, Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church along with First Evangelical and Reformed Church decided to merge, thus forming First-Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church. Services continued in the former Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church building on Seminole at Vernor Highway. The First Evangelical and Reformed Church building was sold to the New Liberty Baptist Church.
Our history continues in the chapter titled "First-Bethany Evangelical & Reformed / United Church of Christ."
Since the congregation had at no time a owned a parsonage, it was immediately decided to build one on the new location, and in August 1909, the contract was awarded for the sum of $2,985.00, and in November, the pastor and his family could move into their new home. Within a very short time the old church was moved from its former location on St. Paul and Shipherd and rededicated on its new location on the newly acquired property.
It was soon apparent that a new church building was essential to the growth of the congregation and in the year 1911 a building committee was appointed. Building operations were soon underway and a beautiful church edifice was finished and formally dedicated on November 17, 1912.
Originally all services were conducted in the German language. In July 1918, a provision was made for one English service, which was held on the first Sunday of the month; later English and German services were held on alternate Sundays and then both, a German and English service were held every Sunday.
The following pastors ministered unto the congregation:
- Rev. Andrew Martin, 1908-1927
- Rev. Edwin F. Mayer, 1927-1934
The following pastors ministered unto the congregation:
- Rev. Edwin F. Mayer, 1934-1948
- Rev. Arnold Rentschler Lambarth, 1948-1953
On March 27, 1953, Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church along with First Evangelical and Reformed Church decided to merge, thus forming First-Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church. Services continued in the former Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church building on Seminole at Vernor Highway. The First Evangelical and Reformed Church building was sold to the New Liberty Baptist Church.
Our history continues in the chapter titled "First-Bethany Evangelical & Reformed / United Church of Christ."