Bethany Presbyterian Church

What echoes rise from the corner of McDonough Street and Howard Avenue? We stand before Westminster-Bethany United Presbyterian Church. It whispers stories of faith, growth, and the merging of two congregations. Bethany Presbyterian Church, the heart of our tale, began humbly. It emerged from a Union Mission Sunday school in 1881. This small group met in a store at Howard Avenue and Madison Street. Under the guidance of Greene Avenue Presbyterian Church, the mission flourished. In 1888, led by the Reverend Dr. Donald McLaren, Bethany Presbyterian Church officially formed. Their first home, a frame structure on Halsey Street, held 350 souls. The church’s rapid growth necessitated a move. In 1893, they relocated the entire building to its current location. Imagine the feat of moving a church! Additions in 1895 and 1899 expanded the building. It could then accommodate 700 people. The present brick Gothic edifice, designed by R. F. Schirmer and J. W. Schmidt, was dedicated in 1928. This marked a new chapter. Bethany Presbyterian Church merged with Westminster United Presbyterian Church. They became Westminster-Bethany United Presbyterian Church. A fascinating detail lies in the church’s 1909 M. P. Möller organ. Purchased for $1,800 and the “old organ,” it boasted tubular-pneumatic action and a Kinetic blower. Whether this grand instrument made the journey to the current building remains a mystery. It adds a touch of intrigue to Bethany Presbyterian Church’s rich history. The church stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith. It is a place where echoes of the past resonate within its present grandeur.