Church Spotlight: Bethany UCC in Hiawatha, KS
Celebrating 150 Years of Faith and Fellowship
Bethany United Church of Christ in Hiawatha, Kansas, is celebrating 150 years of ministry and service. A special worship service will be held on August 2, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. to commemorate this milestone in the life of the congregation. At 5:00 everyone is invited to enjoy an ice cream social and a time of fellowship and music.
To help preserve and share the church's rich history, commemorative booklets, a church cookbook, quilt blocks to sign for a keepsake church quilt, and other historical items will be displayed.
A Look Back at Bethany's History
For more than 150 years, Bethany Church has been a place of faith, fellowship, and service to the community. Its story began in 1876 when the First German Reformed Church was organized. As the congregation grew, the church later became known as Bethany Reformed Church.
In its earliest years, worship services were held in the courthouse and later at Washington School. The congregation's commitment and dedication led to the construction of its first church building in 1883 at a cost of $3,100. Services during those early years were conducted entirely in German. By 1883, the church began offering one service in German and one in English, reflecting the changing needs of its members.
A significant milestone was reached on July 31, 1884, when Bethany Reformed Church was formally dedicated. As the congregation continued to evolve, English gradually became the primary language of worship. In 1887, German services were moved to alternate Sunday evenings while all morning services were conducted in English.
The church weathered challenges through the years. In 1894, lightning struck the tall steeple, causing damage that resulted in its removal. Yet the congregation remained steadfast. By 1912, Bethany had become self-supporting and was no longer considered a mission church.
The church's identity also evolved through denominational mergers. In 1934, the Reformed Church united with the German Evangelical Church, and the congregation became known as Bethany Evangelical Reformed Church. The Women's Guild was established in 1947, creating another avenue for service and fellowship within the church family.
In 1957, a historic merger brought together the Evangelical and Reformed Churches with the Congregational Christian Churches, forming the United Church of Christ. Bethany proudly became part of this new denomination, continuing its mission of faith and community outreach.
By 1964, extensive repairs were needed on the church building, and the congregation voted to construct a new church. The original stained-glass windows had been destroyed in a severe hailstorm, but rather than losing this treasured part of their heritage, members created new windows from the broken pieces of glass. This act of preservation symbolized the resilience and creativity of the congregation.
Another joyous occasion came in 1968 when the church mortgage was burned, signifying that the debt had been paid in full and marking a new chapter in Bethany's history.
Throughout the years, dedicated members have worked tirelessly to maintain and improve the church located at 6th and Shawnee. While new traditions have been added and services have evolved to meet changing times, Bethany continues to honor its rich heritage.
Today, as throughout its history, Bethany remains a place where faith is nurtured, community is
strengthened, and God's presence is celebrated. As the church looks toward the future, one truth remains unchanged: God is still speaking at Bethany.
Written and submitted to Kansas Oklahoma Conference Newsletter July 2026 by Janiece Spencer and Debbie Fee, Members of Bethany UCC in Hiawatha, Kansas.