Our History
In March 1913, a group of women gathered in the Nelson family home in Pleasant Beach on the south end of Bainbridge Island. They met as the Ladies Aid Society. Two months later, May 10, 1913, the Bethany Swedish Lutheran Church was established with a membership of five families. By July, a church site in the Pleasant Beach area had been purchased for $150. The church structure was dedicated November 23, 1913. Worship services were on the first and third Wednesdays at 8 p.m., alternating in Swedish and English. The first baptism was of Fred Mattson on December 9, 1913. In September of 1914 the first funeral service was for charter member Carl H. Olson. In October of that year, a reed organ was purchased for $30. Communion Vessels were given by the Otto Anderson family. And so it began, almost 100 years ago.
In 1951, M. H. Flodin donated a parcel of land near the center of the island (Finch, Sportsman Club and High School Roads) for a new church. Two adjacent parcels were purchased by the congregation in 1956-57. In 1961, another change occurred as "Swedish" was dropped from the church name. On April 23 of that year, we broke ground for the new church, built from plans approved in 1959. March 25, 1962 saw the dedication of the new building. We were then "Bethany Lutheran Church." We had a new name and a new central location, perhaps signaling a commitment, a wish, an expectation, that the invitation to worship would be to the whole island community.
During our almost one hundred years, we have been served by nineteen pastors. Our membership reflects the gradual changes that time, increased population density, and changing economics have brought. We are now at a point where our history shows us an almost 100-year trend of support for ministry at home, ministry in study and worship, and ministry of outreach and service. Importantly, we have had a steady and faithful congregation that has welcomed strong pastoral leadership, has cared for worship and education spaces, is committed to the support of each member, and has been willing to embrace outreach to the world.
As we approach our centennial, it would be well to look back and be grateful for the dedication and service of those souls who have come before us, and also to go forward to continue building a right and proper foundation in faith, hospitality, service, and outreach. Onward with a good spirit!