EARLY HISTORY of Lutherans in the Area
At Palestine, near Oakwood, the Reverend G.W. Fischer conducted services as early as 1906. The Reverend A.J. Niemann attempted to establish a congregation in the early 1920s, but no lasting development emerged until 1942. (From “Pause to Ponder” by the Texas District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod)
THE BEGINNING of Bethlehem: Mission in Palestine
While serving the mission in Henderson, Texas, The Reverend Edward Marohn explored the mission possibilities in Palestine, Texas. Services were initially held in the Anderson County Courthouse courtroom. On January 10, 1942, the first service was held in the Jewish Synagogue at South Magnolia and Dallas Streets. By the first anniversary in 1943, the congregation had grown to 30 communicants and approximately 50 souls. Bethlehem in Palestine may be the only synod congregation to have used a synagogue as a house of worship until 1947, when a surplus Army Chapel was acquired.
CONGREGATIONAL CHARTER: Bethlehem LCMS
On September 15, 1943, Pastor Marohn accepted a call to military chaplaincy. The Reverend Hugo Hannusch was ordained and commissioned as Missionary-at-Large to the Palestine area on December 12, 1943. Bethlehem Lutheran Church received its Charter of Incorporation on December 4, 1945, and was accepted into the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on April 23, 1946.
Charter members included: Henry Dupont (President), J.W. Gruetzner (Vice-President), Edwin Schwegler (Secretary/Treasurer), Charles Brenner, O.F. Meeck, E.A. Pursch, Erwin Schwegler, Luke Wagner, Frank Gerken, Walter Kaudelka, August Koehne, and Pastor Hugo Hannusch.
BETHLEHEM’S FIRST SANCTUARY: 1947
In 1947, the Missouri Synod purchased an Army Chapel from Camp Fannin near Tyler, Texas, and moved it to 600 East Neches at Bowie Street in Palestine. It was dedicated on April 27, 1947. The first organ was dedicated in 1952.
BETHLEHEM’S MINISTRY: 1954-1967
Pastor Hannusch accepted a call to Dallas in 1953. Subsequent pastors included:
– Rev. Robert T. Kunz (1954-1958)
– Rev. James M. Gruetzner (1959-1964)
– Rev. Lenhart E. Etzel (1965-1967)
A Baldwin organ was dedicated on January 9, 1966.
OUR PRESENT LOCATION: Ministry Moves in 1971
Rev. Keith E. DuBois was called in 1968. In 1969, three acres were purchased on Loop 256, and the current church facility was dedicated on August 15, 1971. Former Pastor Hugo Hannusch delivered the dedicatory sermon. At that time, the congregation numbered 132 communicants and 178 baptized members.
THE FIRST EXPANSION: Fellowship Hall & Classrooms
Rev. Kenneth Baisden was ordained and installed on March 23, 1975. In 1978, 2,000 square feet were added for Sunday School, a kitchen, bathrooms, and a larger fellowship hall. In 1979, Bethlehem Pre-School and Day-Care Center opened.
The congregation also helped establish:
– Christ Lutheran Church in Jacksonville
– Our Savior Lutheran Church in Centerville
– Grace Lutheran Church in Crockett
MINISTRY EXPANDS: Pre-School/Day-Care Center
Rev. I. Melvin Newman, Jr. was installed on August 3, 1980, serving for nine years. The Pre-School and Day-Care Center flourished, serving the community for 17 years until its closure in August 1996.
50th ANNIVERSARY
Bethlehem celebrated 50 years in July 1995 with a special service and BBQ. Rev. Mel Newman was the speaker, and Rev. Hugo Hannusch was the honored guest.
CONTINUED EXPANSION: Parking & Mortgage Burning
Rev. Robert J. Pase was installed on August 18, 1996. During his tenure, the parking lot was expanded, a revised constitution was approved, and on December 7, 1997, the church mortgage was paid in full.
A NEW MILLENNIUM: A New Expansion
A Capital Campaign launched in 2000 raised funds for expansion with the theme “Rooted in God’s Word…We Grow!” Pastor Pase served until August 2000. Pastor Lewis Wunderlich served as interim.
PHASE I: Laboring for Christ
Rev. David R. Bergman was installed on September 30, 2001. The Laborers for Christ program assisted with the construction of a new building. Groundbreaking was on January 26, 2003, and the foundation was poured on October 31, 2003. Major construction was completed by February 15, 2004.
PHASE II: The New Roof
In 2005, the flat-roof section was re-roofed, and new HVAC units installed.
PHASE III: The Vote to Finish the New Building
In 2007, the congregation voted to complete the new building with a loan from the Church Extension Fund.
PHASE IV: The Push to the Finish
Construction resumed in 2008, culminating in a temporary occupancy certificate on July 2, 2009. The new building was officially dedicated on October 18, 2009.
2012 REMODEL: Narthex Expansion
A project to expand the narthex was completed, repurposing former office and classroom spaces.
In June 2015, Pastor Bergman retired. Rev. David L. Adler served as Vacancy Pastor until June 2016, when he was installed. Rev. Adler retired in July 2021.
Currently, Reverend Doctor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus for Lutheran Hour Ministries, serves as Pastor Pro Tem. The members of Bethlehem Lutheran continue to share Christ’s light in their community and beyond.
Soli Deo Gloria!