A Brief History of First-Bethany United Church of Christ, 1849-2009
The seeds of First-Bethany United Church of Christ were planted in 1849 by the Reverend Abraham Berky. It was at this time that the First German Reformed (Zion's) Church (Erste Reformierte Kirche) began in Detroit, Michigan. This congregation was also known as First Reformed and was officially renamed First Evangelical Reformed in 1917.
Bethany Evangelical Church (Evangelisch Germania Bethania Kirche) began in 1888 under the leadership of Reverend Abraham Schneck. At this time, the congregation was part of the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS), but would later become part of the Evangelical Synod of North America (ESNA) in 1908.
In June of 1934, the Reformed Church in the United States would merge with the Evangelical Synod of North America (ESNA). It was at this time that the Evangelical and Reformed Church (E&R) was created and both First Evangelical Reformed and Bethany Evangelical would become part of the Michigan-Indiana Synod of the Evangelical and Reformed Church.
In 1953 it was decided that First Evangelical Reformed would merge with Bethany Evangelical Church. The result of this merger was the First-Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church. In the merger agreement it was decided that a "suburban" branch would be opened in addition to the Detroit location. A 2 1/2 acre parcel of land was purchased on Harmon Street near E. 9 Mile Road in St. Clair Shores.
On June 25, 1957, the Evangelical and Reformed Church (E&R) would become part of the United Church of Christ (UCC), thus creating the final phase in the history of our congregation: First-Bethany United Church of Christ. The Detroit location closed in 1969 due to a decline in membership and the St. Clair Shores location became the sole congregation. Beginning around the year 2000, First-Bethany UCC in St. Clair Shores was struggling with a decline in membership and would later close its doors. Shortly before the 160th anniversary, the dissolution of First-Bethany UCC was decided at the meeting of the Detroit Metropolitan Association of the UCC on April 25, 2009.
Our history is divided into three chapters: First German Reformed, Bethany Evangelical Church, and First-Bethany. Read more about our amazing history from the drop down menu above.
Bethany Evangelical Church (Evangelisch Germania Bethania Kirche) began in 1888 under the leadership of Reverend Abraham Schneck. At this time, the congregation was part of the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS), but would later become part of the Evangelical Synod of North America (ESNA) in 1908.
In June of 1934, the Reformed Church in the United States would merge with the Evangelical Synod of North America (ESNA). It was at this time that the Evangelical and Reformed Church (E&R) was created and both First Evangelical Reformed and Bethany Evangelical would become part of the Michigan-Indiana Synod of the Evangelical and Reformed Church.
In 1953 it was decided that First Evangelical Reformed would merge with Bethany Evangelical Church. The result of this merger was the First-Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church. In the merger agreement it was decided that a "suburban" branch would be opened in addition to the Detroit location. A 2 1/2 acre parcel of land was purchased on Harmon Street near E. 9 Mile Road in St. Clair Shores.
On June 25, 1957, the Evangelical and Reformed Church (E&R) would become part of the United Church of Christ (UCC), thus creating the final phase in the history of our congregation: First-Bethany United Church of Christ. The Detroit location closed in 1969 due to a decline in membership and the St. Clair Shores location became the sole congregation. Beginning around the year 2000, First-Bethany UCC in St. Clair Shores was struggling with a decline in membership and would later close its doors. Shortly before the 160th anniversary, the dissolution of First-Bethany UCC was decided at the meeting of the Detroit Metropolitan Association of the UCC on April 25, 2009.
Our history is divided into three chapters: First German Reformed, Bethany Evangelical Church, and First-Bethany. Read more about our amazing history from the drop down menu above.