Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church
Welcome to Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church. We’re glad you’ve visited our website!
We are a small but mighty community of caring believers committed to proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and sharing God’s love with all people. We support and encourage men, women, and children of all ages in their day-to-day lives and Christian journeys of faith.
We also are passionate about supporting the local and global community through our ministries and outreach. Recognizing that everyone has unique, God-given gifts to share, we’d love for you to share yours with us.
We encourage you to attend our Sunday morning service at 11:00 a.m.
Consider getting involved in one of our ministries. Get to know our community and see how Jesus Christ is present in your life. Come as you are and know you’ll always be greeted by a warm, inviting smile and people who make you feel welcome as soon as you walk through our doors.
There’s always a place for you here.
May God bless you wherever you are in life.
Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lower Burrell celebrating 175 years
BY KELLEN STEPLER
Nancy Sweetland believes Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lower Burrell has made it to 175 years because of the “spirit of the church.”
“It’s been through so many different stages,” said Sweetland, who has played the organ on and off for a total of 50 years at Bethesda and has been the full-time organist there for the past 17 years. “It’s impressive because it’s come through so many hard times. And it comes through and has progressed.”
Bethesda Lutheran will mark its 175th anniversary in June with a celebration and replica service from 1850.
“There’s a dedication among the folks here to be in the church,” said the Rev. Scott Dennis, who became pastor two years ago. “We do word and sacrament well, and we’re welcoming. We’re very inviting.”
While the exact beginnings of Bethesda Lutheran are unknown, records indicate the church was chartered as St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church on April 1, 1850, under the Rev. David Earhart of Leechburg, according to a written history of the church.
The 19 members at that time purchased property on Leechburg Road, near the current site of Forza Motorcars, and built a frame church building. It was dedicated as Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church on Nov. 2, 1852.
Education unit added in ’57
As the congregation grew, its members decided to relocate near Yetter’s Schoolhouse in 1862. The adjacent Bethesda Cemetery is still in Upper Burrell.
While the church was being built, worship was held in Yetter’s Schoolhouse until June 26, 1864, when the new church was dedicated by the Rev. L.M. Kuhns. The congregation would continue to grow in response to more people moving into New Kensington and Lower Burrell. Construction on the current Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, began in 1939 at a cost of $9,000. The sanctuary was enlarged and the education unit was added in 1957. The moves to accommodate church growth are impressive to congregant Rita Seben. In June 1966, Bethesda Lutheran’s membership was reported to be 851 baptized members.
“It gathered people from surrounding communities,” said Seben, a New Kensington resident and 22-year member of the church.
Since then, Bethesda Lutheran has remained resilient despite a declining membership, economic challenges and the pandemic in 2020, said Sweetland of Upper Burrell. Church leaders cite declines in the steel industry and coal mines in the 1970s and ’80s to decreases in church membership.
Today, Bethesda Lutheran gets about 20 to 30 congregants each Sunday, Dennis said. Sweetland hopes growth is in the church’s future.
“I hope we can reach out and bring a few more people in,” Sweetland said. “The folks are really warm and welcoming here. We try to have a good worship experience.”
Seben also points to the church’s outreach: They’ve distributed more than 106,000 pieces of clothing since 2016 through the church’s ClothesLine, as well as operate a Little Free Food Pantry and outreach at community events.
The outreach is consistent with the community celebration planned from noon to 6 p.m. June 7 at Bethesda Lutheran, which will feature local music, free hot dogs and snacks, games and cornhole, and a craft table for children, Seben said.
On June 8, the church will replicate a traditional worship service from 1850, with a hymn-sing at 10:30 a.m. and service at 11. As a nod to the 1850s, congregants will refrain from using technology and will forgo Communion.
Bethesda Lutheran’s oldest member, Alice Puhlman, 94, recalled singing in the choir as a child, getting married to her husband, Charles, in the church, and watching her daughters get married in the church.
“I have a very nice, pleasant memory of the church,” she said.
Sweetland describes church services as traditional, consistent and liturgical— which may be why it’s gone strong for 175 years.
“This is a place you can go to and you become one with everyone,” she said.
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive staff writer.