HISTORY
of
BETHANY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Compiled by Pastor A.L. Meyer from various sources - anniversary histories, history books, bulletins, annual reports, minutes, newspaper articles for the dedication of a new church building and 85th Anniversary on June 27, 1982.
Information since the 85th Anniversary compiled from bulletins and newsletters
Danes were the first settlers in Ord Township in 1872. However the Baptists were involved in converting Lutherans, resulting in a thriving congregation, and Bethany did not come into being until 1897. What took the Lutherans over 20 years? We need to look at the national scene.
Lutheran Germans, Dutch, Norwegians, Swedes, and others organized congregations - some before the Revolutionary War. Danes sang Lutheran hymns in America the year before the famous Pilgrims came to America. However, it seems that the first Danish Lutheran congregation was not organized until 1868 and this happened in Indianapolis, IN. Shortly after this or 1874 the first Danish denomination came into being - namely the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church (years later it became known as the American Evangelical Lutheran Church or AELC).
Other congregations banded together with two of these, along with a group which split from the 1874 Synod over the matter of piety (a controversy carried over from Denmark). The merged groups chose the name of United Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church (much later the word “Danish” was dropped and it was known as the UELC). So there were two groups of Danes, who were sometimes nicknamed as “Happy Danes” (AELC) and the more pious “Sad Danes” (UELC). However, both groups worked together to put out a common hymnal.
In studying Bethany’s history one might see the history divided into periods with certain characteristics in each period.
I. The first period (1897-1921) is one of beginnings.
During this struggling period when Danes were organizing nationally, there was great interest and effort to organize new congregations. Whether pastors connected with the AELC tried to work in Ord is not recorded but the UELC pastors who did were Pastors C. Wilhelmsen, A. Kirkegaard, A.M. Andersen, J.C. Petersen, and possibly others.
In May of 1896 Pastor Frits Andersen working out of Wolbach, made his first mission trip to Valley County. Andersen was invited to return, and the same year he managed to make six more visits. His visit on December 27 was special for the children, because services were followed by a party including a Christmas tree. On February 24-25, 1987, Andersen held a mission meeting and a golden wedding was celebrated. This meeting probably resulted in the organization of Bethany. The next year Bethany became part of the United Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church or UELC.
Was the lot on Avenue G donated by Peter and Jennie Mortensen (one of the first settlers and who later became State Treasurer) or was it bought from him for $50? The first English history sketch (1932) says “donated” and later ones mention the money.
A farmer, A.P. Jensen (uncle of the Aagaards and sisters Marie Johnson and Bina Laursen) had lumber shipped out from Omaha to build a church building. He built Bethany’s first altar, pulpit, communion rail, and baptismal font. The building was dedicated on November 18, 1900 by Synodical President G.B. Christiansen.
With pastors serving from a distance, they would come to conduct services when there was a baptism or something special. Even when the pastor resided in Ord it is doubtful that a pastor conducted a service each Sunday. We see laymen involved in leading services in the second period and they might have done so in this period. The following pastors served during this period:
Pastor Fritz Andersen - 1896-1897 - from Wolbach
Pastor J. Chr. Petersen - 1898 - from Dannebrog
Pastor Christian Krogh - 1899 - from St. Paul
Pastor Christen Christensen - September 1900-March 1904 - Ord
Pastor J.P. Heede - April 1904-May 1909 - from Elba
Pastor J.A. Larsen - March 1905-May 1909 - from Cushing
Pastor V.W. Johansen - 1910-1912 - from Cushing
Pastor Albert O. Soholm - 1912-1914 - from Cushing
Pastor Chris C. Sorensen - 1914-1916 - Ord
Pastor N.P. Sorensen - 1916-1921 - from Cushing
Following informal gatherings, the Ladies Aid Society was organized in 1901. Women brought their children with them and looked on this as a monthly break from the routine. Only Danish was spoken and Danish hymns were sung, along with a devotion and a study of missions. For some years there were no money making projects as members gave freewill to the upkeep of the church and to missionaries. Ebeneezer at Brush, CO which was first a tuberculosis hospital and later became a Senior Citizens Home, was one of the projects. In later years Lutheran World Relief became a project as clothes were gathered. As years went by the Aid began serving at farm sales, had bake sales and bazaars, and became known for the Aebelskiver Suppers.
Among the items of interest was the Aid having “coffees” for new members and for farewells. This paragraph was digested from a 1957 article in the Quiz. At that time Bill Lee was a member and editor. The article contained a picture of Mrs. Albert (Agnes) Clausen, who was president of the Ladies Aid for some years and after 1960 of the ALCW.
II. The second period (1921-1936) is one of inner growth and changes.
This period began when a lay home missionary, Niels J. Johnson (Johannesen) served out of Wolbach from November 1921-November 1923 and began Bethany’s first Sunday School in 1921. Several other changes happened under Pastor J.G.V. Magnussen (1924-1929). He served for a year out of Elba and then moved to Ord in 1925. He bought the house at 405 North 18th and it was transferred to Bethany, becoming the first parsonage in 1925 at a cost of $3,400. It took 20 years as the church and Aid treasuries paid on principal and interest. Drives were conducted in 1944 ($493) and 1945 ($272) and with other contributions - the remaining $1,090 was paid.
There was a three-day anniversary celebration September 27-29, 1925. Speakers were Pastor F. Anderson (Bethany’s first pastor) and Pastors Nommensen and J. Johnsen and Judge Gudmundsen. Special music included a solo by Jim Aagaard, accompanied by his sister Anna, and a duet by Marie Johnson and her sister Bina. It should be noted that another Aagaard sister, Volberg, prior to her blindness, served as pianist longer than anyone else.
Highlighting the 30th Anniversary year was the organization of the Luther League in 1927 by Pastor Magnussen. While the League was not large, it seemed to be active through the years until the 60’s and mid 70’s at which time a type of joint youth program was held with St. John’s Lutheran.
Since Dannevirke entered the picture during this period it might be well to note Dannevirke. Dannevirke belonged to the other Synod with Nysted the mother church in the area. While pastors worked in the area for years, the community as Ord was slow in organizing a congregation. Finally attempts were made to start congregations in Elba and Dannevirke with the pastor living at Elba. Dannevirke was organized in 1904. A Golden Wedding gift of $400 in 1905 with the stipulation that a church building be built in two years, led to the building of a church building in 1906 (still standing in 1982). Elba built theirs in 1908.
However, it takes more than a building to have a church and Dannevirke seemed doomed to unrest and turmoil. In 1919 the Synod closed the church doors. They were opened again in 1921 when Dannevirke affiliated with the same Synod as Bethany and Pastor Magnussen began serving Ord out of Elba.
Problems are not usually recorded and so we don’t know if it was during this period that Dannevirke split into two groups - the one meeting in the church building and the other in the schoolhouse or if the division is what closed the church doors in 1919. At any rate, this continued into the 30’s when Pastor Petersen from Dannebrog, who served both groups, merged them into one.
Evidently it was this problem at Dannevirke which left Bethany vacant after Pastor Magnussen left until the end of 1930. Who supplied or what happened at Bethany is not recorded. It is believed services were held by a lay person or deacon.
This threw Bethany back to Wolbach who went to a joint service with North Logan so that Pastor Soren S. Kaldahl could serve Bethany. From December 1930-August 1931 he served once a month and then from September 1931 to October 27, 1935 twice a month. On the second Sunday there would be a morning service and the fourth Sunday an evening service. The pastor would then stay overnight on the fourth Sunday for Aid and League on Monday. Services might be read in Danish by a deacon the other two Sundays. There were also Bible studies and prayer meetings in homes.
One of the big changes happened when Pastor Kaldahl translated the record books into English. He also helped in the transition from Danish to English worship services. After he left, all services were in English. Wolbach-Logan didn’t want their pastor traveling so far and decided to line up with Cushing and asked Bethany to make other arrangements. Seminary students Alvin M. Petersen (who later served as Campus Pastor in Lincoln for over 20 years) and Clarence E. Jensen served the remainder of 1935 and 1936 twice a month. Membership during the depression years held fairly steady but dropped some from almost 70 to the lower 60’s. Mission Services with special speakers—missionaries, President of Dana and pastors—were held in spring and fall.
III. The third period (1937-1964) is one of good stable years.
The second period was a transition period in which some important events took place and thus helped the third period to be a more stable one.
Student pastor Clarence E. Jensen began serving in 1936 as part of his studies at Trinity Seminary in Blair. He was ordained in 1937, and soon married Esther Hansen. Esther was a part-time nurse at the Burwell Hospital and often accompanied the Ord doctor to homes in the sandhill country. Much of the salary Clarence received was used for car expenses, as the couple traveled a Sunday circuit of approximately one hundred miles. In August 1942, Jensen entered the chaplaincy of the U.S. Army until 1946. Pastor Jensen continued to remember Bethany by having the benevolence he sent credited to Bethany.
Student John A. Schultz served the school year of 1942-1943. Pastor Christen A. and Anna Kristine (Nielsen) Jeppesen moved to Ord. He established a record in serving from May 1943-1964. Pastor Jeppesen retired in Ord, where both he and his wife died. His ministry reflected a loving concern and was highlighted by a building project. When he began church membership was at 72. It passed the 100 mark in 1949. During the early 30’s there might be only three communion services a year. The number of communion services more than doubled under Pastor Jeppesen. There seemed to be a high percentage of members communing.
This period began with the two Dannevirke factions together and so Dannevirke and Farwell aligned with Ord in a parish. Where Elba was is not recorded in our records—however later under Pastor Jeppesen Elba became a preaching place. The UELC District subsidized the three-point parish until they voted at a meeting at Farwell to go self-supporting in September 1949. One of the looked-for events was each congregation taking turns hosting the annual picnic. There was a continued emphasis on missions as Missionary Neve and other missionaries spoke on the mission and other days. An item of interest is that in 1949 Bethany paid $102.75 monthly toward salary; Farwell paid $39.00 monthly and Dannevirke $101.75 quarterly for a total of $2,100 a year, of which $500 was needed for car expense.
Bethany, with resident pastors, began to grow and feel the need of a larger building. However, there was no room to expand, and thus a corner lot across from the High School was bought for $500 in 1945. Plans were to relocate, by moving the church building and enlarging it. However, it took awhile with drives for the parsonage and a street sewer expense of around $500 (which became the designation of the 50th Anniversary offering in 1947 - thus it can be said that an offering went down the drain.)
The first building committee with Bill Adamek as chairman, came up with a successful produce sale called the “Lord’s Portion Sale” at the Sale Barn. The committee hoped it would be an annual affair (evidently this led to what was called the Lord’s Acre).
It would be difficult to list all the building committee members as changes were made from year to year. On the last one were Jim Aagaard and Emma Hansen, who was also on the Council, of which Albert Clausen was chairman or president of the congregation.
On earlier committees there were mixed emotions as to moving the old church building or to build a new one. One thought was to build a new one with a knotty pine interior. The estimate was $11,000 without cost of window and doors (which could vary). An architect was invited and spoke of the cost being four times that amount for a brick building, and even a $20,000 figure for moving the old church building and enlarging it. It is recorded that he shook some coins in his hand asking, “How much of this, have you?” Needless to say, the committee and the council lost their enthusiasm for a new building or moving the old one.
About that time (May 1950) the committee became excited about obtaining the discontinued North Logan building near Wolbach, which Emma Hansen watched being built during her youth. The building was larger and in better shape than Bethany’s. St. Petri Lutheran Church of North Logan started the church building in the fall of 1910 and dedicated it in June 1911. The pastors who served there were familiar to Bethany. The first was Pastor V.W. Johansen followed by Pastors J.G.V. Magnussen, A. Soholm, N.P. Sorensen, H.N. Hansen, S.S. Kaldahl, Emil Petersen, and H.P. Andersen. The dry years of the 30’s caused many to move away, and St. Petri closed its doors in 1945.
Bethany bought the building for $1 (including all church furniture), but a fence had to be erected around the cemetery plus a marker and some other items (including shingling a certain little building), brought the cost to $356.
On November 27, 1950 they began to move the building over hilly terrain and the North Loup River at a cost of $850. Pictures show that The second period was a transition period in which some important events took place and thus helped the third period to be a more stable one.
Student pastor Clarence E. Jensen began serving in 1936 as part of his studies at Trinity Seminary in Blair. He was ordained in 1937, and soon married Esther Hansen. Esther was a part-time nurse at the Burwell Hospital and often accompanied the Ord doctor to homes in the sandhill country. Much of the salary Clarence received was used for car expenses, as the couple traveled a Sunday circuit of approximately one hundred miles. In August 1942, Jensen entered the chaplaincy of the U.S. Army until 1946. Pastor Jensen continued to remember Bethany by having the benevolence he sent credited to Bethany.
Student John A. Schultz served the school year of 1942-1943. Pastor Christen A. and Anna Kristine (Nielsen) Jeppesen moved to Ord. He established a record in serving from May 1943-1964. Pastor Jeppesen retired in Ord, where both he and his wife died. His ministry reflected a loving concern and was highlighted by a building project. When he began church membership was at 72. It passed the 100 mark in 1949. During the early 30’s there might be only three communion services a year. The number of communion services more than doubled under Pastor Jeppesen. There seemed to be a high percentage of members communing.
This period began with the two Dannevirke factions together and so Dannevirke and Farwell aligned with Ord in a parish. Where Elba was is not recorded in our records—however later under Pastor Jeppesen Elba became a preaching place. The UELC District subsidized the three-point parish until they voted at a meeting at Farwell to go self-supporting in September 1949. One of the looked-for events was each congregation taking turns hosting the annual picnic. There was a continued emphasis on missions as Missionary Neve and other missionaries spoke on the mission and other days. An item of interest is that in 1949 Bethany paid $102.75 monthly toward salary; Farwell paid $39.00 monthly and Dannevirke $101.75 quarterly for a total of $2,100 a year, of which $500 was needed for car expense.
Bethany, with resident pastors, began to grow and feel the need of a larger building. However, there was no room to expand, and thus a corner lot across from the High School was bought for $500 in 1945. Plans were to relocate, by moving the church building and enlarging it. However, it took awhile with drives for the parsonage and a street sewer expense of around $500 (which became the designation of the 50th Anniversary offering in 1947 - thus it can be said that an offering went down the drain.)
The first building committee with Bill Adamek as chairman, came up with a successful produce sale called the “Lord’s Portion Sale” at the Sale Barn. The committee hoped it would be an annual affair (evidently this led to what was called the Lord’s Acre).
It would be difficult to list all the building committee members as changes were made from year to year. On the last one were Jim Aagaard and Emma Hansen, who was also on the Council, of which Albert Clausen was chairman or president of the congregation.
On earlier committees there were mixed emotions as to moving the old church building or to build a new one. One thought was to build a new one with a knotty pine interior. The estimate was $11,000 without cost of window and doors (which could vary). An architect was invited and spoke of the cost being four times that amount for a brick building, and even a $20,000 figure for moving the old church building and enlarging it. It is recorded that he shook some coins in his hand asking, “How much of this, have you?” Needless to say, the committee and the council lost their enthusiasm for a new building or moving the old one.
About that time (May 1950) the committee became excited about obtaining the discontinued North Logan building near Wolbach, which Emma Hansen watched being built during her youth. The building was larger and in better shape than Bethany’s. St. Petri Lutheran Church of North Logan started the church building in the fall of 1910 and dedicated it in June 1911. The pastors who served there were familiar to Bethany. The first was Pastor V.W. Johansen followed by Pastors J.G.V. Magnussen, A. Soholm, N.P. Sorensen, H.N. Hansen, S.S. Kaldahl, Emil Petersen, and H.P. Andersen. The dry years of the 30’s caused many to move away, and St. Petri closed its doors in 1945.
Bethany bought the building for $1 (including all church furniture), but a fence had to be erected around the cemetery plus a marker and some other items (including shingling a certain little building), brought the cost to $356.
On November 27, 1950 they began to move the building over hilly terrain and the North Loup River at a cost of $850. Pictures show that the building for religious purposes, voted in September 1980 to officially close Dannevirke as a Lutheran place of worship and give the building to the group.
Thus Dannevirke, which by joining the same synod as Bethany in 1921, brought about Bethany’s first resident pastor and in 1980 forced Bethany to become a self-supporting congregation - something which was thought possible in 1965. For most of Bethany’s history, Bethany was part of a parish - sometimes a minor part, sometimes a major part. With the exception of Dannebrog, all of Bethany’s partners closed - Wolbach (North Logan), Cushing, Elba, Farwell, Dannevirke. Some of North Logan’s members became part of the AELC (now LCA) at Wolbach, with a number of members from the other closed congregations becoming a part of St. Mark. Five Dannevirke members remained with Bethany.
The present parsonage at Bethany was bought in 1979 for $38,000 plus additional cost for repairs on the porch (including carpet), two coats of paint (after a thorough scraping), new front steps, and new ceiling, paneling and carpet in the study. Later a closet was built in the downstairs bedroom.
The old parsonage, which underwent considerable repair in 1976, was sold for $24, 500. $8,000 was borrowed for a four-year period at 6% interest from St. Peter Lutheran of rural Byron. The rest or around $9,000 was raised by Bethany, plus over $400 in memorials and almost $1,600 in contributions for the concrete, which Bud Ballou used to pave a parking area on the west side of the church building. With the exception of scraping the parsonage, all labor on the parsonage was also volunteer by a number of members.
Through the years, there have been changes in Bethany’s council structure. During the early years the council was small and meetings not on a monthly basis. Up to 1965 decisions often involved what others in the parish were doing. From 1968-1979 the council had two members from Dannevirke on it. As both places had to be considered, when Ord wanted to make improvements on the church building (such as paneling the basement in 1976) a separate drive had to be taken rather than go through the budget.
As the years went, a Parish Committee/Board came into being, with later a Dannevirke member on it. Bethany made the Quiz when Mrs. Ed (Elaine) Bosworth became Bethany’s first woman president.
After experimenting for several years, Bethany adopted in 1981 a new council structure with the Council divided into four Boards: Education, Evangelism and Worship, Property, Stewardship. The advantages are: council members can serve in areas where they are most interested; dividing into Boards shortens council meeting time and handles matters more thoroughly.
As attendance and membership grew and Bethany worked on problems of being a single congregation, there was an interest in a new church building, which would provide more seating capacity, a cry room, office-study, larger narthex, individual classrooms, bigger kitchen and larger fellowship area. Tentative plans were presented to the congregation with pledges taken later.
The Building Committee consisted of Mel Masin, chairman; Frank Andreesen; Ed Bosworth; Evert Burson, Mary Martensen, with Bud Ballou and Dan Knapp as consultants and Pastor as advisor.
With around $30,000 pledged, with more promised, the congregation voted unanimously, by secret ballot, at a meeting on May 31, 1981 to build a new church building. The plan, which was presented to the members was further studied, churches were visited, changes were made, and following the last service in the old building on June 28, the congregation approved final plans. While the second plan did not show the steeple and separate bell tower of the first plan, it was understood they went with the second plan.
Over 60 people, including some non-members, dismantled the old building and saved usable lumber in the short time of 2 1/2 weeks. From the dried up honey combs over a large area between the plaster and siding, there must have been a story some years ago about a large swarm of bees in the narthex.
The county removed the basement walls and floor, which were to be used to prevent soil erosion. Al Kittle and crew dug the basement - making the old hole 2 1/2 times larger and 2 feet deeper. While Al was to get the dirt we didn’t need, others came to get from a few buckets to a few truckloads to fill in cave-ins from the heavy August rains.
From the old church building 2” by 8” were cut into 2” by 4” for furring the basement walls. 2” by 6” and some of the cut 2” by 4” were for classroom walls. Also taken from the old church building were paneling from the basement on the stairway and other places, the picture from the altar, some of the upstairs and basement light fixtures, the baptismal font, the furnace (which takes care of 2/3 of the building; a new one was secured for the office area), the electric water heater, four folding tables, half a dozen wooden tables, fifty chairs, the bell, and the outdoor bulletin board.
The old pews were sold for $900 and the basement ceiling was sold for $75. At this writing some old lumber and a few other times are to be sold at auction. It might be estimated that more was realized from the old building than Bethany put into the building prior to its dedication (of course, the dollar is inflated).
Other used items which saved money were the purchase at a Bohemian Catholic Church auction in Omaha - thirty-four pews (thirty of which are in use), four coat racks, and a parament cabinet. We bought a steeple from the Free Church in Kearney. Around three dozen old chairs were obtained from the school for classroom use. New, these items would have cost considerable more and thus we probably saved over $30,000 on these.
However, the biggest saving was the volunteer labor as well as no architect fees, and by buying wholesale or at discount. Those who worked to pack and move items (either to the National Bank storage building or a quonset where Alan Gross lives) or to dismantle the old building, and/or to work on the new building were the following:
Randy Adamek; Frank and Dorothy Andreesen; Litt, Addie, Rhonda, and Jon Ballou; Doyle and Virginia Bauman and Jenny, Nancy, Kathy, and Richard; Dick Beran; Ed, Elaine, and Kevin Bosworth and Lee (exchange student from Brazil); Frank, Lois and Lex Bratka (and 2 of their visiting relatives); Evert, Mary, and Kevin Burson (Larry on a visit); Jeff Calvin (and his two men); Agnes Clausen; Mary Jo Dearmont; Mike Fischer; Mike Fox; Frank and Sharon Fuss; Shari Fuss; Tim Glendening; Mike Gregory; Wayne Gregory; Alan and Dean Gross; Leif and Hans Madsen (helper Kenneth); Ken, Mary, Bruce, and Alan Martensen; Mel and Tod Masin; Pastor and Arlene Meyer; Peggy Miller; LeRoy and Shirley Mueller; Bob and Karen Ohm, Alma Nelson; Howard and Marty Paulsen (Keith on a visit); Marsha Plugge; Roy Riecken; Russ Rose; Carl Streeter; Lee Tillberg; Irv and Linda Timmerman; Ken and Peggy Trubey; Everett, Steve, and Brian Trump; Rose Urban; Gene Van Winkle; Gilbert Veskerna; Jay and Jane Wilson; Gene and Mayre Wray; Otto and Lois Zapp.
It was interesting to see several people from the community stop to pull nails from the old lumber and as the new building went up that a number of others helped including David Ender James Harvey, Daryl Konkoleski, Paul Kusek, Pat Masin, Henry Rohde, Emmanuel Vodehnal, and others. In addition to Arlene usually having the coffee pot on (a number donated coffee - probably drank 20 to 30 pounds), a number of the above women as well as wives not listed above sometimes furnished lunch or snacks - either as individuals or by work groups.
Other people in the community helped by giving cash (over $4,000) a cornerstone, a vacuum cleaner, and other items. Members donated items such as a new refrigerator, a new stove, three clocks, and other items. Nor can we forget Al Kittle taking down the bell and placing the steeple on the roof as well as previous mentioned work.
We were fortunate that we needed to hire only a few for specific tasks - Hoevet to lift up trusses, Miska brothers for taping and texturing, Hehnke for the kitchen hood, Dan’s Stone of Kearney for the stone crosses, and Bill Haney of Grand Island for the stucco.
While the building takes up considerable space in the 85 years history report, it is the biggest item in the eighty-five years.
One would be remiss unless attention was called to some of the volunteers. Others in the over ninety persons involved could also be given special recognition; but in listing these we can see there was a lot of talent in the congregation.
Litt Ballou and Dan Knapp designed and supervised the basic structure with Litt (Bud) working over seven months in various aspects and overseer of the project (without Bud it is doubtful that the project would have been undertaken). The largest single project was the fine electrical work of Dick Beran and Leon (Butch) Koehlmoos. Leif Madsen and his helper took care of the plumbing. Jeff Calvin and his men did all the floors - carpet and linoleum.
Howard Paulsen (as President of the congregation) and Evert Burson (Property Chairman) were often called upon to make specific decisions, as well as were active in a variety of work. Jay Wilson surprised many with his cabinet skill in making the altar, pulpit, lectern, and most of the other furniture upstairs including the desk and bookcase in the study, cabinets in the office, vanities in the rest rooms, and other items such as bulletin boards, railing, etc. as well as being involved in the basic structure.
The bulletin boxes and cabinet were made by Bud, who made most of the cabinets downstairs (Frank Fuss and Bob Ohm also worked on these). Special mention should be made of Frank who worked on a variety of projects from furnishing and operating the tractor to putting up concrete walls to making inside beams, the cross above the altar, gas line, heating ducts and many other projects inside and out.
Lee Tillberg and Bob Ohm undertook the bell tower project. Who can forget Mel Masin along with Frank, Evert and Pastor spending almost 24 hours getting the pews from Omaha? Or almost lost a load?
Otto Zapp headed most of the painting crews. Dean Gross and Kevin Burson welded the ten posts and did a large share of the railing. Ed Bosworth worked on speakers. Other men who put in a considerable amount of time in a variety of ways and were quite valuable were Jon Ballou, Doyle Bauman, Bud Bratka, Mike Fischer, Alan Gross, and Pastor (general flunky). Others, while putting in less time, were valuable in a number of ways.
Seating capacity is around 195 with a potential of 250 and an ample narthex. The fellowship area can seat around 150 at tables with an overflow of over 100 in classrooms. There are eight classrooms (counting the all-purpose room), a large sewing room, a large kitchen, two furnace rooms, an electrical storage room, four closest-storage rooms, four rest rooms, pastor’s study, an office or secretary room, and a sacristy with a hall behind the altar to another room. One feature is a sloping floor in the nave which required ten foot basement walls. Another feature is the choice of entering the narthex by ramp or steps.
It should be mentioned that for ten months we held our worship services in the High School vocal music room. Some classes met at the High School with two classes at the parsonage and one at Bosworth's. The Weekday School met in the Masonic Hall and the Confirmation Class in the parsonage. Martha Circle met in the homes of hostesses. Esther Circle met at the Presbyterian Church as did the Council and Annual Congregation Meeting. Bethany appreciates the cooperation and support the community gave. On June 6th the ALCW hosted thirty or so Presbyterian ladies at a salad luncheon as a token of appreciation.
The cost of the church building and furnishings came to $87,000.00 with indebtedness of $50,000.00. The value of the facilities have been estimated to be worth from a quarter of a million to $300,000. But it is not a matter of how little was spent or how much the value. What is important is that such a project could ever be undertaken in a recession-inflation time and that dedication could occur one year from the Sunday the last service was held in the old building.
Bethany used the first building for 50 years and used the second building for 30 years (which was also used for a large part of the 40 years it was at North Logan). May this new building also serve for many years to the glory of God and to the community.
The eighty-fifth anniversary celebration was held Sunday, June 27, 1982. The sermon by given by Dr. Donald A. Holm of Lincoln, NE who was Administrative Assistant at the Martin Luther Home in Beatrice, NE. He was a pastor of the former AELC, the other Danish Synod. His wife’s mother (Johnson) graduated from Ord High School. A potluck dinner was held at noon. There was a dedication service at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor John (Jack) Nordgaard preaching. Eric Knapp, the grandson of Russ and Luella Rose, played organ at both services. An Open House and refreshments followed at 3:00 p.m. Approximately 400 people attended the various activities.
Pictures pertaining to previous anniversaries, confirmations, weddings, baptisms, pastors, and other events were displayed in the narthex. Pictures from taking down the old church to all stages of building the new one were displayed in the classrooms. Arlene Meyer arranged these pictures.
Altar flowers were given by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ohm and his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Wilmer Ohm of Wisconsin. Two other floral arrangements were from Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Elstermeier, florists at St. Paul. Plants were given by Ord florists Bob and Mary Sevenker, Calvin Furniture, and Klimek TV.
In August 1982, an organizational meeting was held to form a chapter of AAL at Bethany. Agent Jay Salek met with the policy holders. The forming of a chapter made it possible for Bethany to receive money for benevolent projects, scholarships, and supplies such as napkins, cups, and educational materials.
In July 1983 a 2-1/2 ton air conditioner was purchased through donations at a cost of $685 to cool the south wing of the church. Bud and Jon Ballou, Evert Burson, Frank Fuss, and Howard Paulsen installed the air conditioner and Butch and Linda Koehlmoos wired it.
In March 1984 an organizational meeting was held at Andreesen Jewelry for all those interested in starting an Altar Guild to replace the altar committee. A bake sale was sponsored by the Altar Guild for the purchase of parament material in April.
After the present parsonage was purchased in 1979, some work was done to make it possible for Pastor Meyer to live in the parsonage. A doorway was cut to make an access to the upstairs. Later it was decided to make the parsonage into more of a home. Walls and closets had been torn out so that the house could serve as a mortuary and then the house was converted into two apartments. In 1983, the attic was insulated. In 1984 remodeling added a wall to make a kitchen and dining area where it probably was originally. A panel wall was removed to make a large living room area. A wall was replaced upstairs to make a bedroom. This gave the parsonage three bedrooms. The remodeling was done for under the $3,000 allotted due to the fact that Jay Wilson built kitchen cabinets at a fraction of the cost to buy them. Jeff Calvin helped to place vinyl in the kitchen and remove and replace the stained carpet in the living room. People who put in much time in the remodeling were Frank Andreesen, Bud Ballou, Lex Bratka, Kevin Burson, Jeff Calvin, Mike Fischer, Frank Fuss, Butch Koehlmoos, Leif Madsen, Howard Paulsen, Lyle and Linda Rasmussen, and Jay and Jane Wilson. In 1985, an air conditioner was installed in the parsonage by Gene Van Winkle with help from Lonny Van Winkle and John Young.
In June 1985 three ceiling fans were installed in the church by Frank Fuss, Tim Glendening, Frank Andreesen, and Ed Bosworth. Jeff Calvin had obtained the fans at cost. Also at this time a new speaker’s system was installed that added a mike on the pulpit and one on the altar for a total of three mikes.
On Sunday, February 16, 1986 an Open House with a program was held to say good-bye to Pastor Al and Arlene Meyer. Pastor Meyer’s last Sunday at Bethany was February 26, 1986. Effective March 1, they transferred to Good Shepherd of Hastings after serving Bethany for nine years and five months. Denise Haupt took over the office work after Pastor Meyer left.
A Call Committee consisting of Carole Beard, Evert Burson, Mel Masin, Carl Streeter, Jay Wilson and Otto Zapp was appointed by the congregation to seek a new pastor.
Guest pastors serving Bethany during this time were: Robert Thom, Fred Olendorf, and Jeffrey Cubb who lead the majority of the services. Lay services were lead by Frank Andreesen and Tim Glendening.
At the July 9, 1986 Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting the congregation voted to call Pastor Henry G. Flessner. Pastor Flessner’s first Sunday at Bethany was August 24. He was installed at a special service that evening by Conference Dean Don A. Wilken of Zion Lutheran Church in Albion.
An Open House was held on Sunday, June 28, 1987 in the church basement to honor Pastor Flessner on his 25th ordination anniversary. A special letter opener was presented to him as a gift from the congregation.
On Sunday, October 18, 1987 the 90th anniversary of the congregation was celebrated. Rev. A.L. Meyer, past minister, was the guest speaker at the morning worship service. A Memorial Book was dedicated during the worship service. Before a pot-luck fellowship was held at noon, a group picture was taken. A special offering was received to be used for the purchase of hymnals or for the organ fund. Old pictures, news articles, and other artifacts of the congregation’s history were on display.
On Sunday, August 7, 1988 new communion ware and offering plates were dedicated at the worship service. The items were purchased with donations from the congregation sponsored by the Altar Guild.
In April 1989 a pictorial directory of all the members of the congregation was made. The committee members overseeing this project were Norma Fox, Addie Ballou, Marty Paulsen and Pastor Flessner.
In August 1990, the old porch was torn off the parsonage. Also an account was set up by the Council for building fund debt retirement. On September 6, 1990 a “Going Out of Business” auction was held at S & M Implement owned by Mel and Geri Masin. Members of Bethany served lunch with the proceeds going towards the parsonage repair costs. Chairpersons were Frank Andreesen and Mike Fox.
In November 1990, a new furnace and air-conditioner was purchased and installed in the church as a memorial to Norma Fox. In 1991, the pens and pen holders that are mounted on the church pews were also given in her memory. The bell that had not been in use for ten years was equipped to ring using memorials in memory of Marty Paulsen. It was dedicated on Sunday, May 19, 1991.
On December 7, 1991 the first Cookie Walk was sponsored by WELCA. It featured homemade cookies and candies. The Cookie Walk is a bake sale where cookies are sold by the pound. The buyer walks around a long table filled with plates of cookies, choosing his or her own assortment, and placing them in a box which will be weighed when the buyer is done. The cookies and candies were sold for $4.00 per pound. The first year the money was used for the general church budget. The first committee members were Diane Breitkreutz, Linda Koehlmoos, Peggy Miller, Alma Nelson, and Mayre Wray, chairperson.
The practice of bringing food for the Food Pantry on the first Sunday of each month was began at Bethany on Sunday, February 2, 1992. This project is sponsored by WELCA. On Sunday, February 23, 1992 the Congregation voted on Bethany’s constitution. In March 1992 an answering machine for the office was purchased in memory of Robert Bosworth.
Judy Flessner, the wife of Pastor Henry Flessner, passed away on May 3, 1992. Funeral services were held for her at Bethany on May 6 with additional services in Missouri the next day.
On Sunday, September 20, 1992 the church sprinkler system was dedicated to the memory of Lillian Howell, Leona Miller, and Howard and Marty Paulsen. New gold choir robes were received as a gift from St. John’s Lutheran in Beatrice in April 1993. St. John’s was the church attended by Frank Andreesen’s brother.
In 1994 work was begun on a church cookbook to be ready by the 100th anniversary. Those on the cookbook committee were Sharon Fuss, Diane Breitkreutz, Mary Burson, and Dorothy Andreesen.
On Sunday, June 26, 1994 Pastor Flessner announced his engagement to Patricia Nielsen of Irwin, Iowa. The wedding was September 4, 1994 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin, Iowa. A reception for held at Bethany on September 11 in their honor.
On August 28, 1994 the Paschal Candle was dedicated in memory of Dora Larsen and the Sanctuary Light was given in memory of Judy Flessner.
Pastor Henry Flessner accepted a call to Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Center, Iowa. October 9, 1994 was his last Sunday at Bethany.
A potluck dinner was held on February 26, 1995 to meet with seminary student Keith Menter and his wife Cathy from Ohio. He conducted the morning worship service. Keith was ordained March 26 in Ohio and installed at Bethany as pastor on April 2, 1995 at 3:00 p.m. with a reception following the Installation Service. Keith and Cathy along with their daughter, Kinsey, moved to Ord at the end of March. A Pantry and Supplies Shower was organized for the Menters.
Prior to the Menters moving into the parsonage, painting and cleaning was completed. A second floor bathroom was added, carpets installed and the outside of the parsonage was sided. Property chairs Tim Glendening and Lyle Rasmussen were assisted by Frank Fuss, Jeff Breitkreutz, Frank Andreesen, Gene Wray, Butch Koehlmoos, Bud Ballou, Linda Rasmussen, Linda Koehlmoos, Beth Hill, Joy Wert, Peggy Miller, Mary Burson, Karen Fischer, Mayre Wray, Brian Peterson, Ron Upah, Kim Farnstrom, Alan Gross, and Dean Gross. Dale and Char Krueger donated paint. The parsonage was open following the worship service on Sunday, March 26 so that everyone could view the work that had been done.
During the vacancy Jeff Breitkreutz, Dave Haupt, Tim Glendening, Dale Krueger, Gene Wray, and Greg Jensen lead Sunday morning worship services. Lenten service leaders were Tim Glendening, Bill Mueller, Alan Gross, Frank Andreesen, and Elaine Bosworth.
In June 1995 the Worship Committee asked members to submit designs for a banner that was to be used for the entire centennial year. Deadline for the entries was September 1. Starting in July 1995, Communion was offered twice a month instead of just once.
The first annual community-wide Thanksgiving Service was held at Bethany on November 17, 1995. The service was sponsored by the Valley County Ministerial Association. The first Saturday evening worship service was held at Bethany on February 3, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. on a three month trial basis.
In March 1995 a contest was conducted to name the new Newsletter at Bethany. The members of the congregation were then asked to vote for their favorite name. The name selected was the Bethany Miracle.
In April 1996 a bank account was opened for the Centennial Committee. The Committee accepted donations to defray the expenses of banners, guest speakers, and other activities for the Centennial Celebration. Mugs, pens, and cookbooks were also sold to raise money. The Centennial Committee also served BBQ sandwiches at the Evelyn Sharp Day food booth at the airport on June 16, 1996 to raise funds for the Centennial.
Starting May 1, 1996, evening worship services were changed to Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. However beginning with Saturday, June 22 the evening worship services were permanently moved back to Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
In July Council voted to convert the “Cry Room” in the back of the sanctuary into a “Sound Room.” A room downstairs was chosen as a nursery. The sound room is capable of running an audio and a video feed to the nursery and to the basement in case of over flow in the sanctuary. A three section window was put in the wall of the Narthex to create a more open atmosphere in the Narthex. In August 1996 volunteers painted the basement of the church in preparation for the Centennial Celebration.
Family pictures for a church directory were taken on Friday, September 6, 1996 and Saturday, September 7, 1996. Each family received a free 8x10 photo and a church directory. There was the option of purchasing packages of photos. The photo packages paid for the directory.
A congregational photo was taken on Sunday, September 8 as part of Rally Day and to start off the Centennial Celebration. A drawing of the church, a gift from Lutheran Brotherhood, was also unveiled and a block party was held following the worship service. The Centennial Committee served meals including barbeque sandwiches to help fund the Centennial Celebration.
On Sunday, December 15, 1996 Bethany celebrated an old fashioned Christmas as part of the Centennial Celebration. The Children’s Christmas Program directed by Mayre Wray was presented and the children received sacks of candy and apples. The Christmas tree was decorated with old time ornaments. The Advent stand used was one made out of a disk by Evert Burson many years ago when Rev. Schauer was pastor.
In January 1997 WELCA deposited $1,000 in account in the bank as seed money toward the purchase of new church doors. Donations were accepted to the fund. Doors with stained glass inserts were purchased with the money.
Sunday, February 23, 1997 was the date for the special Centennial celebration at Bethany. This was one day shy of the date believed to be the date of the founding of Bethany. Members dressed in clothing from the early 1900’s. The liturgy from the “Blue Book” was used for the Worship Service. A meal followed the service.
In March 1997 Lutheran Family Services opened a counseling office in Bethany’s basement. Counseling was available to anyone in the Ord area. Bethany was the only mission center in this regional area available for counseling.
The final Centennial celebration was held on Sunday, September 28, 1997. The guest preacher was Dennis A. Anderson the president of Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH and former Bishop of the Nebraska Synod ELCA. A community fellowship pot-luck followed the worship service.
On Ash Wednesday, February 25, 1998 for the first time in the history of Ord, the Presbyterian and Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Churches gathered together to celebrate communion. The service was hosted by Bethany with Pastor David Stipp of the First Presbyterian Church and Pastor Keith Menter of Bethany presiding. A soup supper preceded the worship service. The two congregations gathered together once again on Maundy Thursday, April 9 at the Presbyterian Church to celebrate communion and a traditional Passover celebration. The two congregations have continued to gather together on Ash Wednesday at Bethany and on Maundy Thursday at the Presbyterian church.
On Sunday, May 3, 1998 the congregation voted to approve the Marie Larsen Trust Fund proposal. Bethany had received $10,000 from the Marie Larson Estate. The Trust Fund was established to help people in need using only the interest from the Trust. The Trust’s interest is to be used to benefit, in order, the people in the Ord Community, people in Valley County, and people in the state of Nebraska. The Council of Bethany has final authority to decide the eligibility of a recipient with the governing criteria as the following question: “Would Jesus want us to do this?”. Recipients are people in an emergency situation with an immediate need.
Also approved at the May 3 meeting was the borrowing of money to built a two car garage with extra storage space for the parsonage. This structure replaced the existing garage. Debentures were made available to the members of Bethany for the building of the garage.
Pastor Keith Menter accepted a call to the Lutheran church in Randolph, NE. Sunday, September 19, 1999 was the last Sunday at Bethany for Pastor Menter. A potluck meal followed the worship service to bid the Menter family good-bye.
Roger Grim, PMA, served Bethany as a worship leader beginning Sunday, October 3, 1999 while the vacancy of pastor was being filled. Roger also lead the Adult Sunday School. The Saturday night worship services were discontinued.
On Sunday, July 9, 2000, Rev. Larry Handeland presided at the worship service. A Congregation Meeting was held on Sunday, July 16 at which time the congregation voted to approve the candidacy of Rev. Handeland.
On Sunday, August 13, 2000, a work day was conducted at the church. A potluck meal at noon served as a farewell for Roger Grim who had served Bethany for ten and a half month.
Pastor Handeland began serving Bethany on Sunday, August 27, 2000. On Sunday, September 10 Rev. Larry Handeland was installed as the new pastor at Bethany by Rev. Harold Stromer, assistant to the Bishop, during the worship service. A potluck meal followed the service.
New supplementary hymnals, With One Voice, were purchased by Bethany in April 2001. Donations were received to help with the cost of the hymnals and “Given by” or “In Memory of” labels were placed in the hymnals. A fund was started in June 2001 for the purchase of a lift to make the basement handicap accessible. Donations were requested from the members of Bethany.
During the summer months in 2001 the interior of the church was painted along with the meeting room and the offices. Baseboards were also installed. The concrete steps leading up to the building were replaced and the parsonage bathroom was repaired.
In October 2001 the Bethany church women passed a resolution designating Wednesday mornings as a time for the congregation to unite in prayer. Between the time of waking until noon, everyone was asked to set aside a time to focus on prayer for family, church, community, and country.
Pastor Larry Handeland resigned as pastor of Bethany effective October 31, 2001. On November 4, Robert Caldwell, PMA, from Farwell started serving Bethany until a new pastor was called. Ed Bosworth, Kevin Burson, Sandy Fox, Linda Koehlmoos, Gene Wray, and Jeff Breitkreutz, chairman, served as the call committee in the search for a new pastor.
In February 2002, Richard and Tracy Ries donated new tablecloths for the tables in the basement. In March, the Altar Guild began work on blue paraments to be used during the Advent season. Frank Fuss replaced the old church roof with a new steel roof in June. AAL replaced the flooring in the women’s upstairs restroom.
In August 2002, the Call Committee voted unanimously to enter into a contract with Bob Caldwell to become a PMA in residence at Bethany while he studied to become an ordained minister. The congregation voted to accept this recommendation on August 18, 2002. On October 4 and 5, Bob and Linda Caldwell moved into the parsonage at Bethany.
In January 2003, Council voted to begin construction on an elevator for the basement. The company that contracted to build the elevator quoted the cost at $22,500. It was decided to use part of the sound room for the elevator shaft. Frank Fuss did the work on the elevator shaft with help from Ed Bosworth, Frank Andreesen, Ron Florea, and Bob Caldwell. In March, a raffle was held to raise money for the elevator. The prizes were a half of beef, a whole pork and a case of chickens. The drawing for the prizes was held on April 12 during the Aebelskiver Supper. Frank Andreesen was the winner of the beef, Bob and Beth Caldwell of Lincoln won the pork and Ron Benjamin of Lincoln won the chickens. The elevator passed its final inspection in May 2003 thus making the basement handicap accessible.
In August 2003, Frank Fuss repaved the parking area around the church. In October, Council decided to purchase and install baseboard for the main floor of the church. They also voted to purchase a 42” oak door and a side panel with frosted glass to replace the existing front doors of the church.
In November 2003, a Stewardship Outreach was made to every individual of Bethany. The Stewardship Committee used the Pony Express Relay method to reach every home. Saddlebags left Bethany on Sunday, November 9 and traveled to all the homes. The saddlebags were returned to Bethany on Sunday, November 16. The commitments made during the Pony Express Relay were received on Sunday, November 23 at the Thankoffering Worship Service. Bob Caldwell, Kevin Burson, Frank Fuss, and Alan Gross attended the Ventures Stewardship training sessions to learn how to implement this program. Others that participated on the committee were Ron Florea and Chris Jenkins.
Starting in May 2004, a Service of Healing was held at Bethany on the last Sunday of the month for several months. The service was open to the community. Also Bethany helped with the inter-denominational worship services at the Chapel of the Hills located at the Calamus Reservoir near Burwell. The services were held from May to September.
In May 2004 Council voted to pay for new flooring in the kitchen and the landing in the basement with WELCA paying the installation cost. In October, Council also decided to send $50 from the Benevolence Fund each month to support a missionary. Patricia Bentsen whose mission was in Madagascar was the missionary that Bethany supported.
In the fall of 2004 Jeff Breitkreutz formed a committee to promote a Stewardship program called New Consecration Sunday. Members of the committee were Dorothy Andreesen, Virginia Bauman, Brent Bengston, Bob Caldwell, Marie Miille, and John Young. The program was presented to the committee by Pastor Harold Stromer of Hastings. On Sunday, December 5, Pastor Stromer spoke to the congregation about the program. A catered Celebration Luncheon followed the worship service. There were a total of 32 giving units that completed “estimates of giving cards.”
A special congregational meeting was held on December 19, 2004 following the worship service to vote on Bob Caldwell’s call as pastor to Bethany and his compensation package. Bob’s call and compensation package were approved by the congregation.
Frank Fuss constructed an oak kneeler for the church to be used at Confirmation, weddings, and other special worship services. Tracy Ries padded and covered the kneeler.
Robert Caldwell was ordained a minister in the Lutheran Church on Sunday, January 16, 2005 at a special 4:00 p.m. worship service. Bishop David L. deFreese officiated at the service of ordination and also delivered the message. Rev. Robert W. Carlson, Jr. assisted the Bishop. Prelude music and music during the offering were provided by the Valley County Harmonizers. Rev. Don Voorhees presented the readings. Rev. Larry Lepper presented Robert Caldwell for ordination. A stole was given by WELCA to Bob Caldwell to be used in the service. Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Harold Stromer, presided over Pastor Caldwell’s installation as pastor at Bethany. Mike Fox, president of Bethany’s Council presented a letter certifying Pastor Caldwell’s call to Bethany. Sharon Fuss sang a special hymn. During the hymn Tracy Ries, Dorothy Andreesen, and Elaine Bosworth as representatives of the congregation spoke of a pastors duties to a church. The offering during the service was designated to Bethany’s 2005 Day Camp. A catered reception followed the worship service.
In January 2005 Kim Koch was hired to clean the church building. This ended the practice of congregational members taking turns cleaning the building throughout the year. Also in January a video line and sound system were installed in the basement for overflow at funerals and other events.
In February 2005 everyone that attended Bethany was invited to contribute an 8” x 8” square of material with their family name and anything else on it they would like to include relating to them. The squares were used to construct a Heritage Quilt that was hung in the fellowship hall as part of the art on display in the church.
In May, a fund was established for donations to replace the carpet in the church. WELCA opened the fund with a $300 donation. Tamzen Jenkins was chosen to be the female delegate to the National ELCA 2005 Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, FL from August 8 to August 14, 2005.
