1996 Building Dedication Service

From the back of the 1996 Building Dedication Service bulletin:

A BRIEF HISTORY

Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church Lansing, Michigan

Bethlehem Church was started as a mission under the direction of the Ohio Synod, which later became the American Lutheran Church. The first service was held on August 10, 1924. The congregation was incorporated on September 24, 1924. The charter membership consisted of twenty-four families (fifty-six communicants).

The first Chapel was dedicated on December 14, 1924. This Chapel was a World War I prefabricated surplus chapel and was erected by the members.

The Rev. C. G. Althoff was the first pastor to serve the congregation. He was followed by the Rev. George Bubolz, who was installed as pastor on September 23, 1928 and served for twenty years.

Following Rev. Bubolz was Rev. Walter Koepplin installed on January 16, 1949, who served until his retirement in 1967. Rev. John McCollister was installed on February 7, 1965 and served until 1971. On November 28, 1971, Rev. James A. Schalkhauser was installed as our fifth pastor. Since that time we have called three other pastors to assist him. These have been Rev. E. H. Schalkhauser, installed September 22, 1974; Rev. Noel Niemann, installed September 7, 1980 and Rev. James Lichtenberger installed April 20, 1986.

On October 29, 1950, ground was broken for the present sanctuary and dedicated on December 16, 1951. The Educational Unit was commenced on January 10, 1960 and dedicated on January 22, 1961. The Educational Unit is on the site of the original chapel.

In 1989, the Board of Stewardship and Finance, along with the help of the Boards in the congregation, began a "long-range needs assessment." In the spring of 1991 a more intensive Church and Community Study was launched. It was completed in the fall of 1991, and recommendations were brought to the Church Council and, eventually, to the congregation. At a congregation meeting in November of 1992, approval was given to obtain a Consultant/Architect to review Bethlehem's studies and develop a proposal for improving the facilities. A Building Planning Committee was formed to choose an architect and develop a building plan. Buehrer Group Architecture & Engineering from Maumee, Ohio, was chosen to do the architectural planning. The process continued through 1993, and in February of that year the congregation approved a plan for new construction and renovation of the existing facilities. A Building Committee was formed, and on September 25, 1994, a ground-breaking ceremony took place. K & D General Contractors, Inc. in Williamston, Michigan, was awarded the general contract. Actual construction and renovation began in early June of 1995 and was essentially completed in February of 1996.

It is with humble gratitude to God, and with sincere appreciation to the many members and friends of the congregation, along with the architect, contractors, and laborers, that we now dedicate this beautiful facility for worship, fellowship, learning, and Christian service. Soli Deo Gloria!

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