Bethel United Church of Christ in Elmhurst Celebrates 70th Anniversary

Bethel United Church of Christ, at 315 E. St. Charles Road in Elmhurst, will begin the celebration of its 70th year of being a "Christian congregation of neighborly love" on Sunday, September 10, with a festive worship service starting at 10 a.m. in the church's sanctuary. Preaching the morning's sermon will be the Rev. Leah Lyman Waldron, pastor of Park Avenue Congregational Church in Arlington, MA, who grew up in Elmhurst and was confirmed at Bethel. The Bethel voice and bell choirs, soloists, and Minister of Music Jeffrey Panko will provide music for the service, when long-time members and special guests will be recognized. The celebration continues in the church's Welcome Center immediately after the service with a toast to Bethel's 70th birthday followed by opening remarks and a buffet luncheon. On display throughout the day will be a memory lane exhibit of Bethel's accomplishments through the years as well as videos showing the building of the church's Welcome Center and photos of Bethel from its 50th anniversary.

Founded in 1953, the church erected its permanent home on the east side of town in 1957, part of the rapidly developing area of Brynhaven, which was welcoming young families to Elmhurst. It has been served by 15 pastors, including seven senior pastors, two associate pastors, and six interim pastors during the past seven decades. Senior Pastor, the Rev. Gretchen Sylvester, has been at Bethel since 2013 and Associate Pastor, the Reverend Sally Scheib, has served the church for the past 25 years.

Fifteen years ago, needing more gathering space to house its many programs and events, including the nationally-accredited Bethel Learning Center, voice and bell choirs, Christian education, community outreach and service, and the Music at Bethel concert series (now celebrating its 25th season), the church undertook The Journey Forward, a major fundraising campaign which made possible the construction of the church's Welcome Center and its connection to both the Bethel Administrative Center (a residence next to the church, purchased and remodeled earlier) and the original church building. Completed nine years ago, the new space has served the church and the community well.

In 2007 Bethel became an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. Embracing the UCC motto, "Whoever you are and wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here," Bethel invites everyone to celebrate with its members and friends during worship, luncheon, and a time of sharing memories of the past 70 years. For more information, please visit www.bethel-ucc.org or call 630-279-4040.