Bethany UCC races its roots to the
Cocalico congregation of the German Reformed Church, which was established in
about 1730.
The congregation changed its name to Bethany in 1818.
Bethany Church moved its physical location
into Ephrata Borough in 1894 to be more accessible and better support the
community.
The current building was constructed in 1914-1915 and has ever since
been a landmark on East Main Street on the flanks of Ephrata Mountain.
Bethany
joined the United Church of Christ in 1958 and merged with First Reformed Church of
Ephrata in 1965.
This history was
based on a description in a bulletin for the anniversary service celebrating Bethany’s
“75 Years in Ephrata” on Sunday, November 16, 1969.
Historical Timeline
1730
Rev. John Philip Boeh organizes the Cocalico congregation
1730
Rev. John Philip Boeh organizes the Cocalico congregation
1730
Rev. John Philip Boeh organizes the Cocalico congregation
1731–1173
PASTORATE: Rev. John Peter Muller
1731–1173
PASTORATE: Rev. John Peter Muller
1731–1173
PASTORATE: Rev. John Peter Muller
May 1735
Visit of Rev. Boehm and the first recorded Communion in Cocalico’s log church
May 1735
Visit of Rev. Boehm and the first recorded Communion in Cocalico’s log church
May 1735
Visit of Rev. Boehm and the first recorded Communion in Cocalico’s log church
1735-1736
PASTORATE: Rev. John Bechtold
1735-1736
PASTORATE: Rev. John Bechtold
1735-1736
PASTORATE: Rev. John Bechtold
1739-1740
PASTORATE: Rev. George Michael Weiss
1739-1740
PASTORATE: Rev. George Michael Weiss
1739-1740
PASTORATE: Rev. George Michael Weiss
1740-1743
PASTORATE: Rev. John Bartholomew Rieger
1740-1743
PASTORATE: Rev. John Bartholomew Rieger
1740-1743
PASTORATE: Rev. John Bartholomew Rieger
1743-1744
PASTORATE: Rev. Jacob Lischy
1743-1744
PASTORATE: Rev. Jacob Lischy
1743-1744
PASTORATE: Rev. Jacob Lischy
1744-1748
PASTORATE: Rev. Conrad Tempelmann
1744-1748
PASTORATE: Rev. Conrad Tempelmann
1744-1748
PASTORATE: Rev. Conrad Tempelmann
June 19, 1747
Visit by Rev. Michael Schlatter
June 19, 1747
Visit by Rev. Michael Schlatter
June 19, 1747
Visit by Rev. Michael Schlatter
1749
SUPPLY PASTORATE: Rev. Bartholomaeus of Tulpehocken
1749
SUPPLY PASTORATE: Rev. Bartholomaeus of Tulpehocken
1749
SUPPLY PASTORATE: Rev. Bartholomaeus of Tulpehocken
1750
PASTORATE: Rev. Lewis Ferdinand Vock
1750
PASTORATE: Rev. Lewis Ferdinand Vock
1750
PASTORATE: Rev. Lewis Ferdinand Vock
1752-1762
PASTORATE: Rev. John Waldschmidt
1752-1762
PASTORATE: Rev. John Waldschmidt
1752-1762
PASTORATE: Rev. John Waldschmidt
1762-1764
PASTORATE: Rev. John Henry Decker
1762-1764
PASTORATE: Rev. John Henry Decker
1762-1764
PASTORATE: Rev. John Henry Decker
1764-1765
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick C. Mueller
1764-1765
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick C. Mueller
1764-1765
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick C. Mueller
1765-1766
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick J. Berger
1765-1766
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick J. Berger
1765-1766
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick J. Berger
1766-1770
PASTORATE: Rev. John George Wittner, (prepared Bethany’s first permanent congregational record)
1766-1770
PASTORATE: Rev. John George Wittner, (prepared Bethany’s first permanent congregational record)
1766-1770
PASTORATE: Rev. John George Wittner, (prepared Bethany’s first permanent congregational record)
1770-1779
PASTORATE: Rev. John C. Gobrecht
1770-1779
PASTORATE: Rev. John C. Gobrecht
1770-1779
PASTORATE: Rev. John C. Gobrecht
1779-1786
SUPPLY PASTORS
1779-1786
SUPPLY PASTORS
1779-1786
SUPPLY PASTORS
1792-1802
PASTORATE: Rev. John C. Wilms (buried with wife and daughter in Old Bethany Cemetery)
1792-1802
PASTORATE: Rev. John C. Wilms (buried with wife and daughter in Old Bethany Cemetery)
1792-1802
PASTORATE: Rev. John C. Wilms (buried with wife and daughter in Old Bethany Cemetery)
1803-1807
PASTORATE: Rev. Charles Halfenstein
1803-1807
PASTORATE: Rev. Charles Halfenstein
1803-1807
PASTORATE: Rev. Charles Halfenstein
1807-1819
PASTORATE: Rev. John T. Faber
1807-1819
PASTORATE: Rev. John T. Faber
1807-1819
PASTORATE: Rev. John T. Faber
1817
Erection of Old Bethany Church
1817
Erection of Old Bethany Church
1817
Erection of Old Bethany Church
1819-1823
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick A. Herman
1819-1823
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick A. Herman
1819-1823
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick A. Herman
1823-1843
PASTORATE: Rev. Daniel Hertz; founding of the first Bethany Sunday School by Mrs. Maria Hertz
1823-1843
PASTORATE: Rev. Daniel Hertz; founding of the first Bethany Sunday School by Mrs. Maria Hertz
1823-1843
PASTORATE: Rev. Daniel Hertz; founding of the first Bethany Sunday School by Mrs. Maria Hertz
1843-1844
PASTORATE: Rev. Peter D. Schory
1843-1844
PASTORATE: Rev. Peter D. Schory
1843-1844
PASTORATE: Rev. Peter D. Schory
1844-1846
PASTORATE: Rev. Christian Weiler
1844-1846
PASTORATE: Rev. Christian Weiler
1844-1846
PASTORATE: Rev. Christian Weiler
1846-1848
PASTORATE: Rev. W. A. Helfrich
1846-1848
PASTORATE: Rev. W. A. Helfrich
1846-1848
PASTORATE: Rev. W. A. Helfrich
1849-1851
PASTORATE: Rev. I. A. Graeff
1849-1851
PASTORATE: Rev. I. A. Graeff
1849-1851
PASTORATE: Rev. I. A. Graeff
1852-1858
PASTORATE: Rev. Albert Helfenstein, Jr.
1852-1858
PASTORATE: Rev. Albert Helfenstein, Jr.
1852-1858
PASTORATE: Rev. Albert Helfenstein, Jr.
1859-1861
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick A. Gast
1859-1861
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick A. Gast
1859-1861
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick A. Gast
1861-1870
PASTORATE: Rev. William T. Gerhard
1861-1870
PASTORATE: Rev. William T. Gerhard
1861-1870
PASTORATE: Rev. William T. Gerhard
1866
Organization of Union Sunday School in Ephrata
1866
Organization of Union Sunday School in Ephrata
1866
Organization of Union Sunday School in Ephrata
1868
Termination of Bethany Union Sunday School
1868
Termination of Bethany Union Sunday School
1868
Termination of Bethany Union Sunday School
1870-1891
PASTORATE: Rev. Daniel C. Tobias; installation of pipe organ in the church by Jacob Gorgas of Ephrata at a cost of $350
1870-1891
PASTORATE: Rev. Daniel C. Tobias; installation of pipe organ in the church by Jacob Gorgas of Ephrata at a cost of $350
1870-1891
PASTORATE: Rev. Daniel C. Tobias; installation of pipe organ in the church by Jacob Gorgas of Ephrata at a cost of $350
1883
Rebuilding of Old Bethany Church
1883
Rebuilding of Old Bethany Church
1883
Rebuilding of Old Bethany Church
1892-1896
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick Pilgram
1892-1896
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick Pilgram
1892-1896
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick Pilgram
1894
Union Chapel remodeled and refurnished, Bethany Sunday School re-established
1894
Union Chapel remodeled and refurnished, Bethany Sunday School re-established
1894
Union Chapel remodeled and refurnished, Bethany Sunday School re-established
1896-1904
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick C. Hullhorst
1896-1904
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick C. Hullhorst
1896-1904
PASTORATE: Rev. Frederick C. Hullhorst
1904-1910
PASTORATE: Rev. Howard H. Spahn
1904-1910
PASTORATE: Rev. Howard H. Spahn
1904-1910
PASTORATE: Rev. Howard H. Spahn
1905
Union chapel remodeled
1905
Union chapel remodeled
1905
Union chapel remodeled
1910
Bethany congregation establishment as a separate charge
1910
Bethany congregation establishment as a separate charge
1910
Bethany congregation establishment as a separate charge
1910-1916
PASTORATE: Rev. Allan S. Meck
1910-1916
PASTORATE: Rev. Allan S. Meck
1910-1916
PASTORATE: Rev. Allan S. Meck
May 23, 1915
Dedication of Bethany’s present church building
May 23, 1915
Dedication of Bethany’s present church building
May 23, 1915
Dedication of Bethany’s present church building
1917-1922
PASTORATE: Rev. Cyrus T. Glessner
1917-1922
PASTORATE: Rev. Cyrus T. Glessner
1917-1922
PASTORATE: Rev. Cyrus T. Glessner
1920
Demolition of Old Bethany Church
1920
Demolition of Old Bethany Church
1920
Demolition of Old Bethany Church
1922-1926
PASTORATE: Rev. John B. Noss
1922-1926
PASTORATE: Rev. John B. Noss
1922-1926
PASTORATE: Rev. John B. Noss
1926-1933
PASTORATE: Rev. George T. Fritz
1926-1933
PASTORATE: Rev. George T. Fritz
1926-1933
PASTORATE: Rev. George T. Fritz
1931
Erection of Memorial Marker and Bronze Tablet at Old Bethany Church
1931
Erection of Memorial Marker and Bronze Tablet at Old Bethany Church
1931
Erection of Memorial Marker and Bronze Tablet at Old Bethany Church
1933-1945
PASTORATE: Rev. Harvey M. Lyttle
1933-1945
PASTORATE: Rev. Harvey M. Lyttle
1933-1945
PASTORATE: Rev. Harvey M. Lyttle
1933
Construction of a new parsonage on the site of the old parsonage at a cost of $6,175
1933
Construction of a new parsonage on the site of the old parsonage at a cost of $6,175
1933
Construction of a new parsonage on the site of the old parsonage at a cost of $6,175
October 3, 1943
50th Anniversary celebration of Bethany’s move to Ephrata; 396 members
October 3, 1943
50th Anniversary celebration of Bethany’s move to Ephrata; 396 members
October 3, 1943
50th Anniversary celebration of Bethany’s move to Ephrata; 396 members
1946-1959
PASTORATE: Rev. Paul B. Snead
1946-1959
PASTORATE: Rev. Paul B. Snead
1946-1959
PASTORATE: Rev. Paul B. Snead
1946
Construction of eight new classrooms at Bethany Church
1946
Construction of eight new classrooms at Bethany Church
1946
Construction of eight new classrooms at Bethany Church
1950
Remodeling of Bethany Church and installation of new Möller organ
1950
Remodeling of Bethany Church and installation of new Möller organ
1950
Remodeling of Bethany Church and installation of new Möller organ
1955
225th Anniversary of the founding of Bethany; 600 members
1955
225th Anniversary of the founding of Bethany; 600 members
1955
225th Anniversary of the founding of Bethany; 600 members
June 25, 1957
United Church of Christ established from the merger of the Evangelical and Reformed Churches and the Congregational Christian Churches
June 25, 1957
United Church of Christ established from the merger of the Evangelical and Reformed Churches and the Congregational Christian Churches
June 25, 1957
United Church of Christ established from the merger of the Evangelical and Reformed Churches and the Congregational Christian Churches
1959-1965
PASTORATE: Rev. Francis X. Pirazzini
1959-1965
PASTORATE: Rev. Francis X. Pirazzini
1959-1965
PASTORATE: Rev. Francis X. Pirazzini
1960
Deed granted for Old Bethany Cemetery by court order
1960
PASTORATE: Deed granted for Old Bethany Cemetery by court order
1960
PASTORATE: Deed granted for Old Bethany Cemetery by court order
April 25, 1965
Groundbreaking service for the educational building; cost estimated at $158,815
April 25, 1965
Groundbreaking service for the educational building; cost estimated at $158,815
April 25, 1965
Groundbreaking service for the educational building; cost estimated at $158,815
1965-1983
PASTORATE: Pastorate of Rev. Charles E. Strasbaugh
1965-1983
PASTORATE: Pastorate of Rev. Charles E. Strasbaugh
1965-1983
PASTORATE: Pastorate of Rev. Charles E. Strasbaugh
October 24, 1965
50th Anniversary celebration of the dedication of Bethany’s present church building; cornerstone laying for educational building
October 24, 1965
50th Anniversary celebration of the dedication of Bethany’s present church building; cornerstone laying for educational building
October 24, 1965
50th Anniversary celebration of the dedication of Bethany’s present church building; cornerstone laying for educational building
December 5, 1965
Merger of First Reformed Church with Bethany
December 5, 1965
Merger of First Reformed Church with Bethany
December 5, 1965
Merger of First Reformed Church with Bethany
June 18, 1967
Dedication of the Nevin C. Harner Building, the new educational building
June 18, 1967
Dedication of the Nevin C. Harner Building, the new educational building
June 18, 1967
Dedication of the Nevin C. Harner Building, the new educational building
1977
Bethany established Childcare Preschool Program
1977
Bethany established Childcare Preschool Program
1977
Bethany established Childcare Preschool Program
1985-1994
PASTORATE: Rev. Ricky L. Mearkle (Rev. Nayiri Karjian served as Associate Pastor from 1985-1990)
1985-1994
PASTORATE: Rev. Ricky L. Mearkle (Rev. Nayiri Karjian served as Associate Pastor from 1985-1990)
1985-1994
PASTORATE: Rev. Ricky L. Mearkle (Rev. Nayiri Karjian served as Associate Pastor from 1985-1990)
October 1980
Bethany celebrated 250th Anniversary
October 1980
Bethany celebrated 250th Anniversary
October 1980
Bethany celebrated 250th Anniversary
1991-1998
PASTORATE: Rev. Chester E. Carbaugh
1991-1998
PASTORATE: Rev. Chester E. Carbaugh
1991-1998
PASTORATE: Rev. Chester E. Carbaugh
1996-2001
PASTORATE: Rev. Doyle A. Luckenbaugh
1996-2001
PASTORATE: Rev. Doyle A. Luckenbaugh
1996-2001
PASTORATE: Rev. Doyle A. Luckenbaugh
1998-2008
PASTORATE: Rev. Levina S. Huber (Rev. Patricia A. Dodds served as Associate Pastor from 2000-2008)
1998-2008
PASTORATE: Rev. Levina S. Huber (Rev. Patricia A. Dodds served as Associate Pastor from 2000-2008)
1998-2008
PASTORATE: Rev. Levina S. Huber (Rev. Patricia A. Dodds served as Associate Pastor from 2000-2008)
2002-2010
PASTORATE: Rev. Mark J. Johnson
2002-2010
PASTORATE: Rev. Mark J. Johnson
2002-2010
PASTORATE: Rev. Mark J. Johnson
2010-2012
PASTORATE: Rev. Stephen E. Ericson
2010-2012
PASTORATE: Rev. Stephen E. Ericson
2010-2012
PASTORATE: Rev. Stephen E. Ericson
2012-2017
PASTORATE: Rev. William J. LaSalle
2012-2017
PASTORATE: Rev. William J. LaSalle
2012-2017
PASTORATE: Rev. William J. LaSalle
2012
Bethany Childcare Programs adds the Wiggles & Giggles Program for Infants and Toddlers
2012
Bethany Childcare Programs adds the Wiggles & Giggles Program for Infants and Toddlers
2012
Bethany Childcare Programs adds the Wiggles & Giggles Program for Infants and Toddlers
2018-2020
PASTORATE: Interim Pastorate of Rev. Robin S. Keating
2018-2020
PASTORATE: Interim Pastorate of Rev. Robin S. Keating
2018-2020
PASTORATE: Interim Pastorate of Rev. Robin S. Keating
