1966-2003
Rev. Karl K. Schmidt became pastor of Bethany-Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church October 16, 1966. At that time the congregation was going through many changes. Rev. Karl Maier, who had been pastor for 37 years, had left an indelible impression on the church. A new pastor was a challenge both to the congregation’s members and to Rev. Schmidt. It was a good time for him to be at Bethany as he led the congregation through a time of transition to a more open church with ease and with growth in memberships. He was well liked and the congregation became less centralized and more active in the community. He accepted a call in 1974 to the Southeastern District of the LCMS in Alexandria , Virginia
After a relatively short period a call was issued to Rev. Jon T.Diefenthaler by the congregation and he was installed April 6,1975.Pastor Diefenthaler was born in Milwaukee, WI, attended Concordia (Junior) College in Milwaukee and received his B.A. from Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne,IN in 1965and a M.Div. from Concordia Seminary, St.Louis, MO. in 1969. He also attended Washington University in St. Louis and received an M.A.there in 1970. Prior to the time of his call he was Assistant Professor of Church History at Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield , IL during 1972-1975. He received his Ph.D. in 1976 from the University of Iowa .
For the next 22 years Pastor Diefenthaler with the congregation planned, developed and managed many new changes and ministries. All were accepted well and the transitions went very smoothly. The adoption of the Lutheran Book of Worship caused a little disturbance but the change was made gradually and it was finally adopted Oct. 5, 1985. Many planning meetings were held and the organizations of the church became more active resulting in new ministries. It was a time of bringing the congregation to be more evangelistic and open to the community. The congregation was kept informed and the church offices, boards and committees were rearranged to fit the new activities. Lay participation was encouraged in all matters and lay readers in the worship services began in 1978 with an Elder helping with Holy Communion. After much study a revised constitution was adopted in February 1982, the first revision since 1945
Membership increased. Members volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels in 1974 and have continued to this day. The youth group, now called Bethany Youth For Christ, was organized and became a vital part of the congregation supervised by Brian Shirley. A visitation program to elderly non- members in the community was coordinated with the Lutheran Council. Member teams made periodic visits to all members and the every member canvas was held for many years as an integral part of the Stewardship Program. An annual Time and Talent survey was taken and a report issued. Members participated in the annual Crop Walk and several other community actions.
As part of his call arrangements Pastor Diefenthaler was granted a semi-sabbatical in 1981for a post-doctoral fellowship with Professor Timothy Smith at Johns Hopkins University for purpose of revising his doctoral dissertation for purpose of publication. During this period Rev. Howard Shoenfeldt filled in very nicely.
The Bethany Lutheran School (now including a kindergarten and pre-school classes) which had been in existence since 1878 celebrated its 100th anniversary with a special service in 1978. But in later years some difficulties developed and it became a huge financial drain on the finances of the church. It could not provide out of classroom activities that many parents desired. Since very few members’ families were sending their children to Bethany it was decided to close the grades and continue the pre-school. This was a big loss to the congregation and to the residents of the community. The church had financial problems and the school’s financial subsidy was hurting the operation and growth of congregational work.
In 1979 the lot across Maple Street from Bethany became available and was purchased by the congregation to provide an area for future growth. In 1994 a part of it was paved for expanded parking and the rest improved for a playground for the pre-school children. In 1984 all endowment funds were formally authorized and organized and placed in the Trust Department of a local bank. Easter Sunrise Services started in 1987 in the lot across the street from Bethany and have continued since. The Ladies Aid Society was honored and recognized for 75 years of devoted service to the work of the church in Feb 1985. The LWML was also very active during these years. Also for several years an 8:00 am service during August and some other special services were held at Trinity in an effort to reestablish a congregation there. This was discontinued in 1986.
During Pastor Diefenthaler’s term, with the cooperation of Rev. Robert Humphreys of Grace Lutheran Church and the other Lutheran pastors in this area, a Lutheran Council was formed Feb 9, 1986 to coordinate some ministries and worship services. That could be better accomplished together and put a greater emphasis on Lutheranism in the area. This was a fine and productive ecumenical group and many excellent training programs resulted. It was a time of great activity for Lutherans. Combined Lenten services and social hours starting in 1986 helped to bring the people of the five churches together. A special service commemorating the Reformation was held October 28, 1990 at Grace church and several leadership institutes and retreats were provided by the Lutheran Council in the 80s and 90s.
From 1986 to 1995 a weekly program of the Sunday worship service was taped and televised over a local television station and was well received by the public. Also tape recordings of worship services were provided to shut-ins. In 1994 Linda Diefenthaler, Pastor’s wife, died of cancer after eight years of suffering. She had been a light in the congregation and had been a firm supporter of his work. The congregation mourned her death.
For several years an inter-generational Sunday School was in operation bringing all ages together during that time each Sunday. Also Bethany participated in several community evangelistic crusades and one religious census of the community.
Because worship attendance increased to near capacity in the sanctuary in 1988 a committee was formed in 1988 to study the need for more space in Bethany . After much discussion and planning and the advice of two architects a plan was adopted with a budget of $350,000. The work was completed and the dedication service was held Feb. 3, 1991 with an open house for the community the following Sunday. A choir room was built, an extended Narthex was added and other renovations to the pastor’s office and church office were accomplished. A new room, named the Friendship Room, was then used for the development and start of an early 8:30 am separate worship service. This service was established to provide the members with two different type Sunday worship services. It was planned to be very informal with little liturgy hopefully for people not used to regular church attendance. It became a very special service well received and filled a need within the church. Total worship attendance increased.
Although well supported by pledges and gifts for this project the church was left with a debt of nearly $200,000. A member, Miss Priscilla Koiner, left a bequest in her will which paid off the debt completely and added a substantial amount to the Bethany School Endowment Fund--a most welcome and timely gift. It was voted to name the Library-Archives Room the”Priscilla and Paul Koiner Room.”
Since 1997 was the 225th anniversary of the congregation special events and worship services were planned and carried out. Several programs of the history of the congregation were presented. A special collection for Mission India was quite successful. An entire day of activities and programs was held at Trinity in July. A special remembrance service was held April 6, 1997 celebrating the anniversary. It was a special year.In 1997 Pastor Diefenthaler received a call to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Laurel , Maryland . He accepted, after refusing several calls while here, as he felt it was time to move.
For the next three years Rev, David Luecke and Rev. Don Morthole, both retired Lutheran ministers, served the congregation faithfully. During this time the call committee worked hard and as a result issued a call to Rev. Philip Ressler. Rev. Ressler, born in Rockford,IL,Received his B.A. degree from Concordia College, St.Paul, MN and received his M.Div. degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis,MO He graduated in May and was installed as Pastor July 14, 2000 by the Rev James Kleinfelter with Rev Carl Schmidt (with whom he had his vicarage) preaching.