Bethel Lutheran Church

This folder contains a booklet from the 25th anniversary, a congregational historical record, a church timeline, a congregational statistical record, a parish report, various letters, a pastor’s annual report, a financial secretary’s report, a building expansion program plan, a booklet from the rededication, a pamphlet about the church bell, a bulletin from 1973, a copy of a newspaper article about the church bell, and three poems in Norwegian.

After two years of meeting together, 32 persons organized themselves on March 16, 1917 as the Norwegian Lutheran Skjold Congregation. Two acres of land were purchased for a cemetery, in addition to the half acre received from Peter Johnson for a church site. In 1927 the name was changed to Bethel Lutheran congregation. In 1947 the parsonage was complete on NE 117th Avenue. Sunday School facilities were completed and dedicated in 1958. In 1961 additional land was purchased and plans made to expand the seating capacity. The church was expanded in 1964. The congregation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1967. 1973 marked the dedication of the Memorial Bell Tower, built by volunteers.