1924: Bethel Congregation became a reality following the merger of Moland and St. Olaf. The Ladies Aid organized, and men and women with vision began their witness as Bethel Church in Greenbush. Other churches of the parish were Bethlehem, Nannestad, Zion and Benwood with Rev. Gulseth as parish pastor.
1925: The first annual meeting of Bethel Congregation in November. The organization of Bethel Ladies Aid joined the W.MF. of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Familiar family names included: Heltne, Lofgren, C. Anderson, Aas, Suby, Anderson, Aanerud, Forsness, O.K. Christianson, Williamson, Hereim, Lillemon, Hildahl, Bo, C.O. Jacobson, Heglie, Moen, Nesteby, Boyum, Borgen, Melby.
1926: A mission conference was held and was headed by Dr. J.A. Aasgaard. Choirs from area churches joined in a large choir concert at the local school auditorium. An active L.D.R. met and spent time in devotions and sewing.
1927: Installation service in July for Rev. Morris Peterson following resignation of Rev. Gulseth earlier in the year. Ladies Aid held a dinner and auction in the town hall.
1928: The Parish owned a car and decided to offer it for sale on bids. The highest bid was from Alfred Williamson for $175.00 and money was divided among congregations. Bethel $80.80; Bethlehem $43.68; Nannastad $19.65; Zion $15.01; Benwood $13.52. The balance of $2.34 was left with Bethel.
1929: "Apron Contest" was a lively one and was held to raise money to build a basement. Some over $700.00 was raised. Payment was based on length of the waistline.
1930: The question of building an addition to church considered by committee: for men, A. Suby, Carl Heltne, O.K. Christianson, for women, Mrs. Hildahl, Mrs.Lofgren, Mrs. Gavick. Some discussion on moving church, but because of opposition it was decided only to put in new basement. Committee of John Aas, Charles Anderson, Olaf Hildahl chosen to complete plans and secure financing. In Sept. the first Ladies Aid meeting was held in the new basement.
1931: The Men's Club held a meeting in the parsonage, and a large group attended. Active Junior and Senior Choirs presented an effective and inspiring Christmas concert.
1932: Men held first Fall Supper and a very successful one. Parochial School teacher received money from each pupil as wages. The Thief River Falls Circuit had a Choral Union Chorus and a Circuit Orchestra.
1933: From the secretary's book, "treasurer and janitor are to look into buying all the wood needed for the church". Also "any member who has not paid dues for two years should be put on the inactive list."
1934: The first Bethel Church library was established with Mrs. Olaf Hildahl as librarian. The men of the church held their annual meat ball and lutefisk supper.
1935: Reorganization of parish took place, and the parish became one of Bethel, Bethlehem and Zion with Nannastad to go with Badger. Nannastad was paid $100.00 for their share of the parsonage. Self denial Lenten offering was introduced for the first time by the Penny-a-Meal cans.
1936: Resignation of Rev. Peterson in April. Call extended to and accepted by Rev. Merland Johnson who would give services in English and Norwegian. In April Dave Lofgren offered a house for sale as a parsonage for $3,000.00. The congregation accepted the offer and then sold the former parsonage to John Harper or $1,000.00. (The first mentioned home now belongs to Mrs. Ruth Eeg while the latter is where Robert Harders now lives.)
1937: Pauli church became a part of the parish.
1938: Pastor Merland Johnson directed the Thief River Falls Circuit Choral Union Concert as it performed at Circuit meetings.
1939: School classes were being held in the Bethel Church, as well as other churches and the creamery, because the school building had burned down on January 2, 1939.
1940: Special meeting to consider building addition to church. Congregation voted to do so and a contract was let to Ole J. Pederson. In September there was a two day observance and dedication of newly enlarged church. In October Rev. Johnson resigned as pastor. Call committee chosen: Bethel-Medtvedt, Gavick, O.K. Christianson; Pauli-Helmer Johnson, Holen, Carl Johnson; Bethelehem-John Berger, Old Svegdahl, Albert Anderson; Zion-Sam Olson, Tom Nelson, Melvin Dvergsten.
1941: Rev. E.E. Tollefson installed as pastor. Every member asked to pay $1.50 to cover expense of repair on parsonage. Job to be done by John Axning. At the Annual Meeting Jan. 1941 the right of the women to vote in Bethel Congregation was granted after discussion and the constitution was amended to that effect. All morning services now in English; one each month in the afternoon in the Norwegian language.
1942: New furnace installed in parsonage. Purchased from H. Gavick for $220.00. Extra hardware at Ekstrand Hdw. for $7.34, Casper Snare and Garfield Halvorson for installing and supplies $37.06, for total cost of $284.40.
1943: No Harvest Dinner or festival because of war time rationing.
1944: After the many years of using a piano for worship services, it was decided to begin an organ fund. Rev. E.E. Tollefson resigned as pastor and was replaced in December by Rev. Walter Mastad.
1945: Congregation and entire parish mourned the passing of Pastor Mastad in Feb. 1945. A special Easter offering was taken and given to Mrs. Mastad and children. Evangelist Sidney Swenson served as interim pastor.
1946: Rev. H.B. Mathison installed in February. Mrs. Ole J. Anderson received the first Life Membership pin given by Bethel Ladies Aid.
1947: An oil burning furnace was installed at church. Special meetings on evangelism were conducted.
1948: Hammond electric organ dedicated at Bethel Church Sanctuary. W.M.F group began printing annual program booklets.
1949: Each member asked to add $1.00 to pledge to help for cemetery upkeep. Decided it necessary to borrow $400.00 at 5 per cent to get needed funds. Church library enlarged with Mrs. Ralph Zrust in charge.
1950: Charles Anderson recognized and commended for 20 years as treasurer of Bethel congregation.
1951: Hot water heater installed by I.B. Setran for $100.00. Church Fire Insurance policy for $10,000 with premium $198.80.
1952: Additional altar lights installed. John Aas retired as janitor of Bethel Church after faithfully serving in that position since the church's organization. He was honored at a special program and dinner.
1953: Discussion on installation of colored windows in church but tabled due to excessive cost. Pastor Mathison resigned and left the parish in September.
1954: Pastor B.E. Nyjordet installed in February. Parish expenses continue to be pro-rated as follows: Bethel_52%, Bethelehem-25%, Zion-11%, Pauli-12%.
1955: Congregation voted to have both a financial secretary and a treasurer.
1956: By vote of 36 for and and 4 against, the congregation in special meeting decided to build a parish education unit onto the existing church, and they allocated $15,000 for said project.
1957: Pastor Nyjordet left the parish in February and Pastor Gabrielson was called to serve until a decision was made on parish reorganization. On September 22 the parish building was dedicated by Dr. A.E. Hanson. After many meetings and much discussion Bethel became a one-church parish and called Pastor John Helgeson. An "Every-Member-Visit" plan inaugurated.
1958: Hymnal Fund began. Gift of youth magazine "One" given to confirmands.
1959: A Preaching-Teaching-Reaching Mission effectively reached many with the Gospel. Pastor McCullough was speaker. Subscription to Lutheran Herald for members began. Evangelist Allen Lee, wheelchair polio victim, successfully touched hearts and lives.
1960: The birthday of American Lutheran Church of which Bethel is a part. W.M.F. became A.L.C.W. (American Lutheran Church Women) The STEP program for Stewardship carried out.
1961: Adoption of new liturgy as in new Service Book and Hymnal. Part time secretarial help for pastor began. Sacristy cabinet built by Alvin Pederson. Crop was seeded by Bethel men on land owned by Belmer Thompson and they put in 165 acres of oats. Their share of the grain was sold for $1,235.50.
1962: Pastor Helgeson resigned in September. Congregation joined Thief River Falls Conference in ownership and development of Lake of the Woods Bible Camp. Furnaces installed in church basement and parsonage were bought for $1,550.00. Teacher Training course entitled, "What is the Church?"
1963: Pastor James Query was installed. A new constitution was adopted and went into effect February 1. Lay people participation in Lenten Services began. New church building fund added to Memorial List.
1964: Changes in procedure of church women stated that "all women members on Bethel are members of B.L.C.W."‚ One half of worship offering to go to cause of the month and the other half retained. Lenten service featured exchange of pulpits with area pastors.
1965: Congregation purchased lots known as Carl Heltne home across the street south of church. A building and grounds committee chosen and church signs erected on outskirts of town.
1966: Introduction of 3-year confirmation instruction plan. Expansion of kitchen in parish building accomplished.
1967: Resignation of Pastor Query in August. Social hour held to honor Dr. and Mrs. Klefstad and family who went to Madagascar under the World Brotherhood Exchange program. Voted to build a parsonage and to sell the then present parsonage which was purchased by Rhett Haugen.
1968: Pastor Borg-Breen installed on February 4th by Olaf C. Cartford. Construction began on new parsonage. Church interior was painted and carpet installed. The Stewardship program included the first use of the sealed pledge.
1969: Building Committee for new parsonage met with Russell Wicklund of Wicklund Construction Company concerning final plans and final payment.
1970: New parsonage dedicated on September 13 with Bishop Cecil Johnson, district president, as guest speaker.
1971: "Lutheran Teacher" ordered for all church school teachers. Text inserts ordered and placed in Sunday bulletins.
1972: Steering Committee formed to make plans for construction of the new church. Building Committee finalized plan and consisted of Rodney Langaas, LaMoyne Branden, Bernie Nelson, Nels Wicklund, Manvil Dvergsten, Harlan Solberg, Beatrice Boyum, Ruth Eeg, Jean Tureson and Audrey Olson.
1973: Church of Bethel sold to Kennis Anderson and torn down. Ground breaking ceremony for new church in April. Laying of cornerstone in September with Pastor Otto Dale in charge.
1974: Church construction completed by Curtis Construction Company of Fargo. Feb. 24 marked first service in the new church. The service of dedication by Bishop Cecil Johnson with many guest pastors was held on July 14. The 50th Anniversary of Bethel Congregation on Oct. 20.
