Bethany United Methodist Church

The Evangelical Church originated among the Pennsylvania German people about 1800. Jacob Albright, the Honest Tiller", founded the denomination. He spoke fluent German and was at first a member of the Methodist Church. About the same time, a sister church, led by William Otterbein and Martin Boehm, later known as the United Brethren in Christ, helped to form the first native born denomination on American Soil.

Before the Civil War, the cause of slavery was being debated, and states were aligning themselves as anti or pro slavery. Illinois was antislavery. Debates and arguments on the subject erupted throughout the land. Amidst these troubled times, in 1853, in Elk Grove Township, a religious class was formed), one of the Classes detached from the original Des Plaines Circuit. Previous accounts of our church history relate that teenage Dorthea Biermann attended evangelical services in Dunkel Grove, near Bensenville. The services impressed her so much that she returned to her home and persuaded her family to attend. They did so and were impressed. Services were held in homes of members and friends. Rev. E.G. Escher became the first appointed minister.

Because of poor road conditions, and subsequent slowness of travel, it was impossible for the preacher to serve all the appointments each Sunday, particular in inclement weather. A Class Leader and an assistant were selected and in the preacher's absence, the Class would be led in prayer, praise and testimony.

As the worship group became larger, the homes became too small to accommodate them. In 1858 the class purchased a one room school house for their first building, and moved it, on blocks and wheels and pulled by oxen, to what became the Biesterfield farm in Elk Grove Township, The same year they formally organized as a church. The people of the area were almost all German speaking, and that was primarily the language used in the church.

The renovated school house served as a church home until 1875, when what is referred to as the "old white church" was built on the Louis Gathman farm, north of Nerge Road and west of Rohlwing Road. The building was 22 feet by 30 feet. It continued to be known as the Elk Grove Church since most of its members lived in that community. The first trustees of the church were Henry Gathman, Christian Pfluger and Gottlieb Biesterfield.

The first Sunday School was organized in 1879. The children learned to read German, while the congregation familiarized themselves with Bibles written in English. And so language emphasis began to change. The membership list of the congregation, in 1894, listed 32 names. By 1897, a Young People's Society was organized, with "vigorous activity." As a consequence by 1900, the membership had doubled, listing 61 names on the roll.

Tent meetings were popular. As late as 1914 and 1915, tent meetings were held in a wooded area north of the old Pfluger Homestead north of the corner of Wood Dale Road and Thorndale.

At the time the First Evangelical Church was established within Itasca, only two other religious congregations existed in the village: the Presbyterian Church established in 1883, and the Lutheran Church of St. Luke, founded in Itasca in 1906. Many of the Lutheran sermons were still being given in German. (In 1925, the Evangelical Church had an average of attendance of 75.

Bethany's 100th anniversary was held on November 23, 1958. during the pastorship of Rev. Kenneth Truckenbrod. In 1964, the early service was dropped, and Sunday School classes moved to one hour before the 10:30 a.m. service. Money for the missionary program was raised by weight - that is each member contributed a penny for each pound he or she weighed.

As the congregation continued to gain membership, a house on Center Street was purchased for a parsonage, and the old parsonage was used as a Sunday School. Property to the north of the church was purchased. Ground was broken for an educational unit in 1966, and the finished construction was dedicated on February 11, 1968. In 1967, the old red brick parsonage and a building to the north of the parsonage were removed. The property that had been next to the parsonage was to be used as a parking space.

About the same time, the Methodist and the Evangelical United Brethren churches were merged on an international level. The Itasca congregation once more changed its name. This time it became Bethany United Methodist Church.

"Great is Thy Faithfulness" became the theme of the 125th Anniversary of the church. On Sunday, October 9, 1983, Rev. Doyle Blanton officiated at the anniversary celebration.

In 1987, Fellowship Hall was completely remodeled. An elevator was installed for providing access for the handicapped to the two floors. There was a constant concern regarding the possible damage to the stained glass windows and in 1988 Lexon XL was installed on the outside of these windows.

Music has always been all important part of Bethany's services. The organ, the pianos, the Sanctuary choir and the Men's Choir were enhanced by the addition in 1988, of two octaves of handbells. By 1989, the third and fourth levels had been added along with two octaves of hand chimes. More handballs in the lower range have been added.

As homeless began appearing in the village asking for help, the community churches formed Public Action to Deliver Shelter, commonly referred to as PADS. On the third Tuesday evenings of every month, from October through April, Bethany volunteers prepare supper, lunches, breakfast and beds at the First Presbyterian Church for the homeless. Bethany is one of the churches whose members volunteer to help the needy.

Another undertaking that began in 1996, was the formation of a Grief Support Group, providing a place and a monthly time for those suffered the loss of a loved one.

Bethany's congregation has been active participants in community events. As an example of that participation, the church members decided to enter a float in the village's Memorial Day Parade of 1997, setting a precedent carried on yearly.

As also an active participant in the Council of Churches in Itasca, the church's ministers have helped officiate and the congregation participates, at the community Easter Sunrise Service each year in the town's Usher Park. Further community spirit is evidenced by the fact that both Rev. Blanton and Rev. Cory have served as Chaplains for the Itasca Fire Protection District.

In celebration of Bethany's 140th year, a week long celebration took place in the October of 1998. The anniversary theme" Forward Through the Ages", will continue through the coming years. The church birthed in the 19th century, developed in the 20th century, is now poised to enter the 21st century with a ministry whose mission statement boldly proclaims "to be Christ's living body in the world today."

As a commitment to the statement above, Bethany undertook and completed a massive rennovation of the church Sanctuary during 2003. Bethany became totally handicapped accessible during this same period. During this same period, the Bethany United Methodist Web Site born and activated. Pastor George David has brought the mission statement into being recognizable and meaningful with a clear focus on the future.