Bethany Lutheran Church (Bainbridge Island, Wash.)

When Mrs.August Larson, a member of Gethsemane in Seattle, moved to Bainbridge Island, she loved the wooded lands and the rollings hills of her new home, but she missed her church. She persuaded Pastor Martin Larson of Gethsemane in 1909 to come to her home and conduct worship services in the Swedish language. A Ladies’ Aid Society was soon organized and on May 10, 1913, Bethany Lutheran was formally organized with Pastor F. W. Kastman presiding. There were 10 charter members. A white frame church was erected in Port Blakely and served the congregation until 1962. But two eventful decisions had been made six years earlier: one, to become self-supporting; and the other, to locate a new house of worship in the central portion of the island, thus serving the entire island more efficiently. Under the leadership of Pastor Peterson a new church was dedicated on March 25, 1962. A 1967 parish education unit was completed and dedicated, and in 1974 a bell tower was erected at the entry way of the church. In 1978 the sanctuary was remodeled and new furnishings were added. In 1983 a second educational wing was completed.