Remembered for its evolution? Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church has quite the story. Founded in 1894 Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities has a rich history. It shows up in remarkable ways. The church shares the good news of God’s love made known in Jesus Christ. The congregation continues to evolve and grow even now.
In 2016, Bethlehem became one church with two campuses. One campus is located in urban Minneapolis. The other is in suburban Minnetonka. You’ll find a faith community unique to its context. It is united in its commitment to create space and time for God. This allows relationships to form. These relationships provide meaning as we share in the work of God’s vision for a healed world.
Bethlehem is clear about a few things. It is curious about the rest. Being in multiple locations reminds us that the Body of Christ transcends time and space. We belong to one another. We also belong to God’s vision. It is a vision for a healed world. It is a partnership and process that is always being made new.
Bethlehem is having many conversations. These conversations are about our past, present, and future. It’s good work. It notices our assumptions. It names our aspirations. We hope you’ll join the conversation. Your perspective, voice, presence, faith, and gifts matter to this community. They matter to the wider church.
Bethlehem’s vision is becoming together. We share in the work of God’s vision for a healed world. We are always becoming something new. It could be something holy. Maybe something healing. Perhaps something life-changing and world-altering. God meets us where we are. God moves us toward who we are created to be. We are becoming together. We listen and learn. We change and grow.
God comes to us so that we can live for others. God loves us without condition. God loves us without end. We find the strength and the courage to be signs of Christ’s love in the world. Relationships change us. They change the world. By being in relationship with one another we discover more about the challenges. These challenges confront us as people at this time in history.
Home matters. Having access to safe and affordable housing makes a difference. We’re committed to working with local partners. We help more people have access to a home. A home allows them to live.
We’ve made a mess of this world. But God has blessed us. God has given us the power to make things better. We work for change. We care for the creation God loves.
Relationships are the foundation of a meaningful life. We depend on others for our survival. This includes both physical and spiritual survival. We are created to share with others the fullness of life in this world. We are intentional about how to be in healthy relationships. These foster meaning and purpose.
Founded in 1894, Bethlehem Lutheran Church met in a church. It was on the corner of 14th Avenue South and 18th Street. In 1923, the congregation merged with the Golgotha Evangelical Lutheran Church. The two congregations continued to meet in their home buildings. Bethlehem’s was at 14th and 18th. Golgotha’s was on the corner of 32nd Street and Pleasant Avenue South.
In 1927, the two congregations began to meet together in the Golgotha church. The Bethlehem church was sold to St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Golgotha church was sold to the St. Francis Liberal Catholic Church. The congregation moved into a new church. It was of English Gothic style. It was at 4100 Lyndale Avenue South. The Bethlehem Lutheran congregation and its 1927 building remain extant in 2015.
So as you stand here remember the long journey of the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church. It evolved from a small gathering to a multi-campus community. It embraces change and commits to serving God and its neighbors.