1938 |
First services were conducted at the Carnegie Library in downtown Bryan by Rev. Henry A. Traugott, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Kurten. |
1940 |
Bethel Lutheran Church was organized on March 19 with the signing of the constitution. |
1942 |
With the assistance of the Texas District Mission Board, a site for a church was purchased at Bittle Lane and College Avenue. The church was dedicated on June 28. |
1945 |
Rev. H. A. Traugott accepted a call to LaGrange, Texas, and Rev. A. F. Droegemueller succeeded him as pastor of Bethel and Zion. |
1946 |
A parsonage was purchased at 115 Highland Street in Bryan. (or was it Highland Drive?) |
1947 |
A dwelling on Bittle Lane and Washington Street was purchased with the help of the Texas District Mission Board. It was subsequently remodeled to serve as a parish hall and student meeting place. |
1950 |
Rev. Droegemueller accepted a call to Galveston, Texas, and Rev. William C. Petersen succeeded him as pastor of Bethel and Zion. A new parsonage at 511 Southern Lane was purchased. |
1952 |
The church building was enlarged. |
1956 |
Double services were introduced on Sunday morning. A 12 acre tract of land on East 29th Street was purchased for a new church site. |
1961 |
The Kurten ministry slowly merged into Bryan's ministry and Bethel became the sole congregation for the area. |
1962 |
A four and a half acre site was purchased on East Lane and the property on East 29th Street was put up for sale. |
1963 |
On July 7 groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the construction of a new church, education building, and parish hall. |
1964 |
On February 23, closing services were held at the old church and the new buildings were dedicated. |
1966 |
Rev. Petersen accepted a call to Abilene, Texas, and Rev. Gordon Albers became the fourth pastor of Bethel. |
1968 |
Bethel began a kindergarten program, with Mrs. Bobbie Proctor as the first teacher. The program continued for five years, with Mrs. Ruth Schultz and Mrs. Becky Sundbeck serving as subsequent teachers. |
1972 |
The education wing was enlarged with the addition of eleven classrooms. A vicar, Kent Wendorf, was received in September. |
1973 |
Vicar Walter Gustav came to serve the school year in Bryan and the summer at Lake Somerville. |
1974 |
Joel Janzow served as vicar at Bethel. |
1975 |
Due to the growing needs of the church, the position of Director of Christian Education was created and Randy Kerkmann became Bethel's first DCE. |
1976 |
Pastor Albers accepted a call to Houston, Texas. |
1977 |
Rev. Duane Florschuetz became the fifth pastor at Bethel. |
1979 |
DCE Kerkmann accepted a call to Houston, Texas. |
1980 |
Kim Hille Davis became Bethel's second DCE. |
1982 |
Work commenced on a new LC-MS mission congregation in College Station. |
1983 |
A new hymnal - Lutheran Worship - was introduced in worship services at Bethel. The first computer system was purchased for use in the church office. |
1984 |
Kim Davis moved from DCE to the position of parish associate. Randy Moerbe accepted a call to be Bethel's third DCE. |
1985 |
The mission congregation in College Station - Holy Cross Lutheran - became a member of Synod at the District Convention in Galveston. |
1987 |
The church office and education wing underwent extensive renovation, which included expanding the office space and creating a larger nursery area. Mrs. Davis stepped down as parish associate. |
1988 |
Rev. Florschuetz accepted a call to become chaplain at Trinity Lutheran Home in Round Rock, Texas. |
1989 |
Rev. Neil Bockelmann of Kankakee, Illinois, became Bethel's sixth pastor. |
1998 |
In an effort to satisfy growing space needs, the first portable building was purchased. |
2001 |
In November, a second portable building was purchased for additional classroom space. Malcolm Randig began serving as Director of Music. Bethel purchased twelve acres on FM 158 for the development of a new site for the church. |
2002 |
Kathy Herwald became parish associate. |
2004 |
In September, a third portable building was added to the church property. |
2006 |
James Langford Architects of Dallas was hired to prepare a site plan and design phases for a new worship facility on the FM 158 property. |
2007 |
The Lutheran Service Book was adopted by the congregation and introduced in worship services. |
2008 |
Pastor Bockelmann retired after 18 years of faithful service as Bethel's pastor. Mr. Randig resigned as music director. |
2008 |
Rev. Randall Bard was installed as Bethel's seventh pastor. |
2008 |
Fran Beard became Director of Music. |
2010 |
Construction was started on the new facility on Boonville Road. |
2011 |
The Bethel Lane property was sold to Brazos School of Inquiry and Creativity as we moved to the new campus on Boonville Road. |
2012 |
Bethel Lutheran Preschool was founded at the Boonville location with Debbie Sadler as the Director. |
2019 |
In August 2019, Jeff Bellach accepted a call to be Bethel’s DCE. In September, Randy Moerbe retired from the position. |
2019 |
Pastor Timothy Eden accepted the call to be Bethel’s Associate Pastor. |
2020 |
Debbie Sadler retired from the position of Preschool Director. Carolyn Janac became the new director. |
2021 |
In October, Tetsuya Sugita was called to be Bethel’s Director of Music Ministry. |