A century’s worth of stories whispers from these very stones. Welcome to Bethlehem Lutheran Church a cornerstone of Bay Ridge. Established in 1905 this church wasn’t always on this grand site. It started humbly in a grocery store’s back room. Rev Dr John Holthusen a pastor from Trinity Lutheran Church spearheaded this mission. He aimed to serve the largely German community. The Brooklyn Mission Society later appointed Rev Paul Lindemann. He organized the congregation and served as the first pastor.
From that modest beginning Bethlehem grew. The congregation soon outgrew their small storefront church. They built a small church at 615 51st Street. This cost just $3500. It held 125 people. The congregation even managed to become self-supporting in 1907. They joined the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. This is interesting because Bethlehem later changed affiliations. It is now part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Bethlehem’s history is rich with pastors each leaving their mark. Rev Arthur H Halfmann served next. He oversaw further growth. Rev William F Arndt followed. His tenure saw a dramatic increase in members. Rev Fred W Schuermann led the church into a period of expansion. This included a Ladies Aid Society and an expanded Sunday school.
The congregation decided to build a new and larger church. They bought land at Fourth and Ovington Avenues. This cost $19000. Raising this money required significant effort. They sold their previous church to raise funds. The new church building was a two-stage process. The basement and parsonage were constructed first. The upper church came later. Construction of this new church started in 1922. The cornerstone was laid by Ernst C Schumacher. This man had owned the original storefront location.
The finished church was dedicated in 1930. More than 600 people attended the ceremony. The event featured hymns and sermons. Over the years Bethlehem continued to grow. It added ministries like a Lutheran elementary school and a center for older adults. These ministries extended the church’s reach into the community. The church has experienced various periods of growth and change. It adapted to changing demographics and community needs. Through transitions and challenges Bethlehem remained a vital part of Bay Ridge. This church continues to offer comfort support and spiritual guidance. It stands as a testament to enduring faith and community.