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 History of Bethel The founder of the Bethel Congregation wrote on the occasion of our 'Silver Jubilee' that many were surprised when the German-speaking Bethel congregation was called to life on February 6. 1949, so soon after World War II. Some hoped that the German new immigrants, who came from fourteen different European regions, would join the existing congregations. But, most of the Canadian Lutheran Church congregations had ceased using the German language in their church services already during World War I, to escape the misguided, patriotic outbursts of the general public. Since almost all German immigrants who lost all their possessions and their homeland spoke no English at first, Pastor Christian T. Wetzstein dared to help these people, despite warnings from his fellow pastors. The congregation grew at a frantic pace. Gustav Ernst and Margaret, pastor's relatives, served as organists and also Frieda Schmidt. For a long time John Bauer was the choir leader; and his uncle John. C. Bauer led the 'Brass Band'. The basement rooms of Redeemer Church under construction were soon too small for the growing congregation. Also, the larger facilities at the Lutheran St. Paul's Church in Kitchener sufficed only till 1953 during the blooming episode, when the influx of D.P.s (displaced persons) from the bombed-out and unemployment-plagued Germany crested. With financial help from Lutheran Church Missouri Synod the young congregation bought an old Mennonite Church building on Church Street in Kitchener already in 1952. After renovations and diligent volunteer work the festive entrance occurred in May 1953. The small church was filled to overflowing. And as in 1956 Pastor Helmut Pruefer became the shepherd of the 1000 strong flock, immediate plans were made to build a new church, which would serve the growing congregation for many years to come. The continuously growing flock of Sunday School children listened to the Bible stories, learned how to pray and sing the beautiful children's hymns under the guidance of many teachers. To give thanks to the Lord, one group after another was formed such as 'Mixed Choir', 'Brass Band', 'Youth Group', 'Ladies Group', 'LWML Group' and a 'Married Couples Group'. The small church was getting smaller and smaller. On June 23, 1963 the Bethel congregation, accompanied by the festive sounds of the Brass Choir, moved into the new church with 16 Sunday School rooms and a large auditorium with a spacious stage on Sheldon Avenue North in Kitchener. Pastor Pruefer consecrated the building to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ, led the council members into it, who carried the 'Altar-Bible' and the 'Sacrament Silver Ware'. Many members donated needed items and interior furnishings for the new church. The Pastor's family with their three children moved into the adjoining, repaired framework-styled house. Mrs. Ida Pruefer enlarged the German-Language School. A Ladies Choir under the leadership of the organist Mrs. Gerda Pohl sang at many festive occasions and the two Sunday morning services. Her husband, Fredrick Pohl, participated in many musical renditions. A Theatre-Group performed humorous but instructive Christian plays at many family festivities. The congregation continued to grow. Some 1600 members were being served by our dedicated Pastor. Almost every week a couple was wed. More than 40 teachers taught each Sunday some 300 children in the Sunday School rooms. In some years, up to 50 Confirmands vowed on Palm-Sunday to remain true to the Christian faith. To lighten pastor's workload, Vicars were asked to help. The illuminated altar cross, constructed with cathedral-coloured glass, was consecrated to the glory of our Lord in December 1976 in commemoration of Mrs. Ida Pruefer, our Pastor's wife, for her varied devoted service to the Bethel congregation. After a lengthy battle with cancer she died on August 5. 1972. Dr. Waldemar Scholtes, as organist, brass band director and choir director, took over the musical leadership of the Bethel congregation and served from September 1973 until March 1, 1987. In that time the mortgage on the church properties was burned with thanksgiving and praise. However, as Pastor Pruefer celebrated with the congregation forty years of blessed service to the Lord, there were already signs that the need to preach the Gospel Message in the English language for the younger generation was present. Even before Pastor Otto Bischoff commenced his service in October 1982 within Bethel, English services were held with the help of seminarians in 'Room B'. Vicar Richard Orlowski being installed in September 1985, made it possible for the congregation to have regular English church services in the sanctuary in March 1986. After he completed his 'Seminary Studies' Bethel congregation requested and obtained Rev. Richard Orlowski as Assistant Pastor. An office secretary was hired part-time for the work, that was done until now with volunteer help or by the pastors. Volunteering men constructed tables for the auditorium or performed various repairs in the church building or the parsonage. Ladies organized bazaars to raise funds for missionary ventures, prepared medical kits and conducted monthly meetings in which our pastors gave spiritual talks on many subjects. A 'Lutheran Laymen's League' group held bilingual Bible Classes and taped the services and distributed them to homebound members. A 'Lutheran Life' group raised funds internal or external mission needs through yearly "Sauerkrautessen". This activity was vigorously encouraged by Rev. William Mundt who was called to Bethel as 'Associate Pastor' in September 1991 after Rev. Orlowski accepted the duties at 'Christ Lutheran School' as principal. Pastor Mundt's quiet and mission-oriented service enabled many Bethel members to acquire a greater understanding of their Christian missionary responsibility. After many years of work by 'Constitution Committees' the 'Bethel Constitution and Bylaws' were printed in German and English. In a three year effort a 'Membership Committee' with the pastors corrected the lists of the Bethel congregation by visiting or telephoning all members, computerizing the data and preparing or revising church forms. Our Pastors Bischoff and Mundt besides fulfilling their duties within the congregation were expanding their Christian vocational talents by completing doctoral studies at "Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Catherine's" and the "Utrecht University in Holland" respectively, obtaining their "Doctor Titles" in 1994 and 1995. Dorothy Will served as organist and choir director from March 1987 until November 2000. Towards the end of 1994 an elevator for handicapped was added to the church building and a few years later the old front stairs were renovated in granite through generous donations. Some of the original members were called to their eternal home. Our Pastor Otto Bischoff joined them after a lengthy cancer battle on January 7. 1998. Forty-five pastors, the church council, and the entire congregation escorted him to his final resting place. After his death Rev. Dr. William Mundt was declared the 'Senior Pastor'. Seminary candidate Fred Rink was installed on August 30. 1998 at the Bethel church as 'Associate Pastor'. A family of the Bethel congregation donated the stained glass windows for the front of the church and 'Lutheran Worship' hymnals for use in English services. As the preparations for 'Bethel's 50th Anniversary' were under way a new sound system was installed in the church and auditorium. Generous donations provided funds for the upholstering of the church pews. On February 7, 1999, the "Golden Anniversary" Bethel congregation's founding, special church services and dinner celebrations at the Transylvania Club were held. Rev. Ralph Mayan, the president of our Canadian LCC-Synod, a sister organization to the 'Lutheran Missouri Synod', was invited to deliver the sermon of thanks to the Lord for His many blessings. To commemorate this occasion a coloured pictorial directory in 1998 and a historical booklet were published, which expressed thanks to God for His benevolence, grace and blessings over the past 50 years. Several dignitaries wished the "Bethel Congregation" the Lord's continued guidance and presence. As the church building got older major repairs had to be performed to the roof and the windows needed replacement due to rot in the wooden frames. The congregation decided to replace them with thermal panes in aluminium frames. A 'Stained Glass Window Committee' was directed to come up with an appropriate Biblical theme for the 12 windows in the sanctuary. The congregation decided to portray the life of our Saviour Jesus Christ, with complementary banners. Within a year generous donors came forward for all twelve windows. Each window is dedicated to the glory of God by our pastors after each installation.
In the year 2000, Rev. Dr. Wm. Mundt accepted a call to
serve at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines. On his
departure Rev. Fred Rink would ably serve the congregation until the arrival
of the Rev. Marc Haessig from South Africa. Rev. Haessig would serve
as Pastor from Easter 2002 to August 2005.
Subsequent to the departure of Rev. Rink for St. Pauls' in
Medicine Hat, Alberta in January of 2005 the Rev. Wm Gillissie was asked to
assist with Bethel's English ministry. On Pastor Haessig's departure for
Berlin, Germany in August 2005, the Voter's Assembly appointed Rev. Gillissie
as Sr. Interim Pastor and the Rev. Aaron Rubach as Visiting Pastor. By
December 2005 the pastoral team was joined by Stephanie Scott who is serving
as 'youth leader and advisor.'
Bethel' s music ministry was blessed to have Michael and Claudia Nieminen to served as organist and choir director from November 2000 to August 2005. During their tenure an instrumental ensemble and children's music program were started. On September 1st, 2005 Nellie (Mrs. Waldemar) Scholtes assumed the role of organist and director of music at Bethel. Shortly thereafter Dorothea Witzke accepted the challenge of starting a Tone Chimes Choir. Bethel is also fortunate to have Mrs. Margot Hayes continue her service as the Director of the Chamber (English) choir. |
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Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church |
