Web posted
Friday, March 5, 2004
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FIRST CHURCH of Bethlehem Lutheran, established in 1871. and incorporated in 1884, was a tiny structure on South Seventh Street. The little church served from 1879 through 1910.
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Bethlehem Church Is Pioneer
Bethlehem Lutheran church of Brainerd dates almost as far back as the founding of Brainerd, itself. It was first organized in 1879 as part of the Hauge Synod. On May 17, 1884, Articles of Incorporation were filed as Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran church. Down through the years, its name has been changed to Bethlehem Norwegian Lutheran church, in 1945 to Bethlehem English Lutheran church, and in 1956, to Bethlehem Lutheran church.
The first church was a tiny structure on South 7th Street. This building was torn down in recent years, and was at the site occupied in more recent years by the Select Cleaners.
The first pastor, T. K. Moen, came from Pelican Rapids as part-time pastor. Among those serving in this little church were Ole A. Dahle, Hans 0. Helseth, A. M. Danielson and others.
During this period, Norwegian was mainly used, both in sermons and for confirmation classes. In 1904, new English hymn books replaced the Norwegian books, but both Norwegian and English continued to be used in the church for many years.
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SECOND CHURCH serving Bethlehem Lutheran congregation, also on South Seventh Street, was completed in 1910 and was in use until 1963. In that year, a new church was built on Highway 210 and Eighth Avenue.
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From 1907 to 1920, the Rev. M. L. Hostager was the pastor at Bethlehem church. His daughter, Mrs. William Bender and family, are present members of the local church. During his ministry, the congregation withdrew from the Hauge Synod in 1909, to join the Lutheran Free church. Then in 1910, a new church was built, also on South Seventh Street, at a cost of $7,416, including lots and pews. This was the church home until the congregation outgrew it. Other pastors who served in this church were: 0. S. Winther, J. R. Michaelson, who served for 30 years, Oliver Sidney and Morris Johnson.
On Feb. 1, 1963, the merger of the Lutheran Free church with the American Lutheran church became official, making Bethlehem church a part of the A. L. C. organization, along with Trinity Lutheran church on South - Sixth Street, also a member-congregation of the American Lutheran church.
It had been felt that the size of the church building on South Seventh Street was inadequate for the growing congregation. A site for the new church was chosen at the corner of High-way 210 and Eighth Avenue. in Northeast Brainerd. Ground- breaking and construction followed with the new church dedicated on Sunday, May 26, 1963, during the ministry of Pastor Morris Johnson.
The structure of the building was planned to try to meet the needs of all phases of the work of the church. The main sanctuary seats 324, but with the balcony and overflow, seating, can be increased to 550. The pastor's study and secretary's office, with church library, are' on the main floor, and a stairway leads to the balcony. Here the organist and choir are located. There are Church-School rooms, a nursery, large fellowship hall and well-equipped kitchen. Active organizations of the church are many including: Junior, Youth and Senior Choirs, Sunday School classes for all ages, release-time classes, Bible studies, women's and men's groups Luther leagues and Boy Scouts.
Present pastor, Arthur Rimmereid, served the church as a student from Augsburg Seminary in the summer of 1955, returning as pastor on Dec. 1, 1967. He and his family live in the new parsonage on Ninth Avenue and L Street. Work was begun on the parsonage in August of 1970, and the family moved into their new home during the past winter.
Since February, 1969, Pastor Sigurd M. Berg has been on the church staff as visitation pastor.
The congregation now consists of about 430 families, with about 850 confirmed, and about 1,250 baptized members.
Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch (1871-1971).
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