Rural Bethel Presbyterian Church to celebrate 150th anniversary

The Bethel Presbyterian Church was officially organized on April 2, 1864, with 17 members. The first minister was Rev. J.A. Condit. The current church was completed in 1881. Prior to that time, the congregation met in schools. The church was remodeled in 1911 to include a choir loft, Sunday school room, and an enclosed hall entrance. In 1916 the congregation began plans to add two small classrooms, one equipped to serve as a kitchen, as well as a second entrance into the church. The longest-serving pastor of the church was Milan K. Thompson, from 1946 to 1977. The current pastor is Kelly Allard.

The congregation will hold its regular church service at 10 a.m., Sunday, June 22, with a celebration service at 1:30 p.m. A reception will follow the afternoon program. Both services are open to the public. The church is located at 2811 200th Street in rural Ainsworth.