| Bethesda Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Northwestern Minnesota Synod (www.nwmnsynod.org) Bethesda Lutheran Free Church was organized on March 29, 1907. The first meeting was held at the Olaf Larson home on 1st Street and 11th Avenue in Alexandria. Pastor Chr. Ytrehus was in charge of that meeting and present at the meeting were also his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Olaf Larson, Mr. and Mrs. P.R. Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. John Antonson, Miss Sophie Hanson, Miss Emma Hanson, Miss Dora Hanson and Miss Maren Anderson. 23 souls formed the first nucleus for the congregation. That same night the name of the congregation was decided and the constitution was drawn up. It was decided that Bethesda would affiliate with the Lutheran Free Church. In 1923 Bethesda affiliated with the Chippewa congregation in Brandon. From its beginning records and services had been in Norwegian. It was at the annual meeting in 1928 that the decision to alternate between English and Norwegian services was made with every other service to be in English. It was not until 1935 that the constitution was translated into English. In 1953 the decision was made for Bethesda to withdraw from Chippewa of Brandon and go on alone. At a special meeting on March 9, 1954 a vote was cast in favor of building a parsonage. At a congregational meeting on May 16, 1954 , it was vaoted to purchase two acres and ground was broken on June 16, 1954. In 1955 Bethesda once again realigned itself with Chippewa of Brandon as a two point parish. Ground was broken on April 7, 1957 for a parish education unit. The congregation held their first church service in the new parish education unit on November 17, 1957. O n February 1, 1963, Bethesda Free Church became a member of the American Lutheran Church. On August of 1964 Bethesda Lutheran Church withdrew from its alignment with Chippewa of Brandon and on August 30, 1964 it alligned with Our Savior's Lutheran of Nelson. On May 30, 1971 the ground breaking ceremonies for the new Bethesda sanctuary were held. The new sanctuary was completed in April, 1972. Today, Bethesda membership statistics are as follows: Baptized: 750 Confirmed: 620 Average Attendance: 215 Sunday School Pupils: 75 |
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| Bethesda Lutheran Church 1204 North Nokomis NE Alexandria, MN 56308 320-763-5164 |