Bethany United Presbyterian Church

Can a church be a bridge? Bethany United Presbyterian Church stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and community. Bethany United Presbyterian Church emerged from the union of Bethany and Westminster United Presbyterian Churches around 1928. The current building, a beautiful brick Gothic structure, was dedicated in 1928. The church we see today replaced an earlier structure built in 1893. That building had quite a journey. Originally constructed on Halsey Street in 1889, it was physically moved to McDonough Street in 1893. Imagine the effort it took to relocate an entire church building. This move speaks volumes about the dedication of the early congregation of Bethany United Presbyterian Church. Before there was a church building, there was a Sunday school. In May 1881, a Union Mission Sunday school started in a store at Howard Avenue and Madison Street. This humble beginning eventually blossomed into the Bethany United Presbyterian Church. The congregation’s growth necessitated the move to larger premises. In 1909, a M. P. Mӧller organ, Opus 1004, was installed in the relocated church. The organ featured tubular-pneumatic action and a kinetic blower. It’s unclear whether this magnificent instrument made the journey to the current building. Perhaps some hidden corner holds a clue to its fate. Bethany United Presbyterian Church’s story is a story of growth, adaptation, and a steadfast commitment to its community. From a small Sunday school in a store to the grand edifice we stand before, Bethany United Presbyterian Church continues to serve as a spiritual anchor in Brooklyn.