Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School
Fort Wayne, IN
As Bethlehem celebrates its Eightieth Year as a congregation, it pauses to reflect back on its history and the ways God has blessed its ministry.
Early History: 1925-1940
School Organized First
In September of 1925 members of Zion Lutheran Church and Concordia Lutheran Church, living in the southeast area of Fort Wayne received permission from their respective congregations to open a branch school. A portable building was purchased and located in the 3200 block of Alexander Avenue.
Congregation Formed
In January, 1926, regular Sunday morning services were held in the portable building as a convenience for the members living in the immediate neighborhood. In July, those attending these services petitioned their respective congregations to organize a new congregation. Having obtained the necessary authorization, the new congregation was formally organized in September, 1926. Forty-six men signed the constitution, and thus, became charter members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. In March, 1927 the congregation applied for membership in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
New Building
Preliminary plans were made for a new building to house both church and school on newly purchased property on Anthony Boulevard. The cornerstone of the new school building was laid on September 15, 1929. The building was dedicated on January 26, 1930 to serve both as school and church. Plans for a new church proceeded in 1939. The cornerstone was laid on November 5th of that year, and the new church building was dedicated on August 4, 1940.
Membership
The congregation consisted of 1034 souls, 670 confirmed members, and 182 children enrolled in the day school. The Sunday School had an enrollment of 191.
Following are key events in Bethlehem’s history in subsequent years
1945
On May 13th a lot was purchased on Anthony Boulevard for a parsonage, and ten lots, between Euclid Avenue and Central Drive were secured for a future parking lot and playground.
1947
May - The first new school bus was purchased at a cost of $3500.00.
October - Ground was broken for a new Education Building.
1948
A school lunch program became a reality.
1952
September - Due to increased growth it became necessary to have three services each Sunday morning.
1953
The congregation decided to build a final addition of five classrooms, a kitchen and cafeteria, and a gymnasium.
1955
September - The final addition to the school was dedicated.
1957
A new intercom system was installed in all the rooms that allowed communication from anywhere in the building with the school office.
1958
The school enrollment grew to 693. It was the largest elementary school in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod at that time.
1965
February 21st - Three new bells were installed and dedicated to the glory of God.
1966
March 27th - A new pipe organ, a “Queen of Musical Instruments”, was dedicated and placed into service to praise God and exalt the Lord of the Church.
1970
Trinity Lutheran Congregation, Decatur Road, Joined with Bethlehem to organize the consolidated Bethlehem-Trinity Lutheran School.
1972
July - Women were given voting privileges by the Voters Assembly.
1974
At the invitation of the Home Bible League, Bethlehem participated in the placing of New Testaments in local motels.
1976
July 4th - Bicentennial Sunday was observed with thirteen congregations on the south side of Fort Wayne participating in a joint worship service held at Harding High School.
Phase I of “Renewal and Renovation” included the renovation of the choir room and three classrooms.
1979
March - Phase II of “Renewal and Renovation” included renovating two basement classrooms to form Fellowship Hall, as well as making changes in the sacristy and lowering the hallway ceilings.
1st Week of August - A Laotian family sponsored by Bethlehem, arrived in town.
1980
June 29th - A food bank, in conjunction with the Associated Churches of Allen County, is established at Bethlehem.
1982
As part of the completion of the “Renewal and Renovation” effort, fans were installed in the ceiling of the church.
1983
These projects were completed: a new sound system for the sanctuary, new ceiling and lighting fixtures in the cafeteria, and new outside doors at the church office and the south church portico entrance.
1984
Thanks to a substantial fund raising event by Bethlehem students, “Jump for Gym”, that netted nearly seventy percent of the total needed, improvements to the gym included installing a new floor, glass backboards, and bleachers.
1985
An annual Christmas Cookie Sale to support three mission projects was inaugurated by the Ladies Society.
1986
October 15th - Another Laotian family sponsored by Bethlehem arrived.
1990
A vicar was assigned to Bethlehem to primarily serve the New Life Mission, which was meeting at the South Side YMCA.
1991
The decision was made to begin charging a $200 per family education fee, beginning with 1991-92 school year. Holding that the education of its children is a partnership between parents and church, it was also determined that no student would be excluded from being enrolled in school.
1992
The need for adequate housing in the community moved Bethlehem to join with several other interested groups to form the “Set Up to Succeed” project, a plan to renovate houses for low income families.
Acting on a request from the Indiana District - LCMS, a graduate from Concordia Theological Seminary was assigned to Bethlehem to serve as a minister to Southeast Fort Wayne. He would serve as a Bethlehem assistant pastor, concentrating on the Bethlehem neighborhood.
1993
To be used as an outreach ministry, a Preschool/Day Care was inaugurated at Bethlehem.
After twenty-three years, the partnership with Trinity, Decatur Road, to operate Bethlehem-Trinity Lutheran School was dissolved. Since Bethlehem considered a school as a cornerstone of its outreach and mission, it was resolved that Bethlehem Lutheran Church support and maintain a school called Bethlehem Lutheran School.
Bethlehem also revised its mission statement to include the statement that it is a “ministry of the congregation (to bring) God’s Word to the families in the community and in the congregation”.
As a result of a joint proposal of Bethlehem and the LCMS Indiana District Concordia Theological Seminary assigned a pastor to Bethlehem who would minister directly and specifically to the neighborhood around Bethlehem and to Southeast Fort Wayne.
The Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church Endowment Fund was established.
1994
The first Community Festival was held as an outreach to the neighborhood.
1995
May - The Urban Ministry was established to support the mission and ministry of Bethlehem thorough programs, evangelism, and community outreach oppportunitees.
1996
To meet the spiritual needs of the people in Southeast Fort Wayne, a not-for-profit corporation, Christian Urban Ministry was formed.
The Board of Financial Affairs and the Board of Worship were made additions to the congregational structure.
1998
Under the guidance of the Indiana District’s Mission Counselor, these core values were identified:
· Bring the Gospel to at-risk children and families in Fort Wayne
· Positively reach and impact the Shepherd of the City neighborhood for Christ
1999
A part time Counseling Ministry was begun.
In a partnership with Village Elementary School the “Say Yes” program was tutoring the maximum of thirty-five children and had a waiting list.
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