Bethany Lutheran Church is celebrating their 150th Anniversary in 2022. To kick off the anniversary celebrations, Bethany Lutheran Church is hosting a party at Pollyanna Brewing Company (431 Talcott, Lemont) on Thursday, June 9 from 6-9pm.
Pollyanna has crafted a special beer for Bethany’s anniversary—a Hefeweizen Ale with Blood Oranges. The beer, called “Bethany Brew 150,” will debut at the launch party and be available on tap or in a specially designed commemorative crowler can. In addition, customized pint glasses will be given away to the first 75 people who purchase the anniversary brew. Live music will be provided by a jazz trio led by Shawn Salmon and local favorite Ralph Johnson. A food truck will also be available for food purchases.
Bethany Lutheran Church was established on September 22, 1872 with a charter membership of twenty adults and eleven children all of whom were immigrants from Sweden. The current sanctuary was built in 1895 with stones from Lemont quarries that were not fit for sale. A significant amount of the construction work was done by church members.
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150 years later, Bethany Lutheran Church is known in the community for their food pantry, established in 1976. Over the years, the pantry has provided food for as many as 110 Lemont families per month. For twenty years, they have provided school supplies to children in the community. The congregation enjoys taking worship outdoors with seasonal services around a bonfire or while hiking in the woods. In 2020, during the pandemic, they hosted a memorable Drive-by Living Nativity and Back to School Blessing. The congregation identifies their purpose to “Nurture with Love, Serve with Hope.” They will be celebrating their anniversary with several events this year.
Bethany Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
