Bethlehem United Church of Christ
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

Facilities

  

The Church

     

The old church was torn down and the present church was built for $18,000 in 1924 with most of the labor being done by church members volunteering their time.  In 2011, we completed our most recent building project, adding additional parking, improved handicapped access, existing meeting and class rooms, a Welcoming Area with covered entrance, and a new Youth Center.

 

The Sanctuary 

The Sanctuary, built in 1924, is described as Gothic in detail with natural light oak cushioned pews, seats 350 people comfortably.  The sanctuary has an altar centered rather than pulpit centered design.  The altar is centered and elevated to signify the importance of the rituals of the church.  The most elevated area in the sanctuary is the preaching pulpit to the right of the altar where the minister delivers the sermon or message.  The preaching pulpit is prominently placed to signify the importance of the spoken word of God.  The sanctuary has a main center aisle, 75 feet long, and two side aisles.

   

The Pipe Organ

One of the distinctive features of the sanctuary is the pipe organ, the largest musical instrument made.  It was built by the Wick Pipe Organ Company in 1938 and has 1,105 pipes, 16 ranks and two manuals.  For musical instruments the church also has stationary Kurtzweil keyboard, a portable electric Yamaha keyboard, and a full set of handbells.

  

Building Technology

  

Bethlehem Church has a large 8 by 8 foot screen that can be used for contemporary worship, an LCD projector which can project song lyrics and visual images to support the pastor’s message, and an excellent sound system.

 

  

The Stained Glass Window Collection 

 

 

                 

                                                

Bethlehem Church has a beautiful collection of stained glass windows that were added to the sanctuary in 1949. There are 12 windows that surround the sanctuary, casting beautiful colors into the church throughout the day. Pictured above are just a few of the windows that grace our church.  The window in the center is the Bethlehem Window, the window on the left depicts the birth of Jesus Christ, and the window on the right depicts Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.

  

The Fellowship Hall 

Bethlehem Church has a fellowship hall which can seat up to 200 people.  In addition to the Fellowship Hall and Welcoming Area, the main church building has numerous classrooms, a spacious nursery, a commercial kitchen, and a lift to accommodate the physically handicapped.

 

 

Nursery

   
Excellent, clean, and safe childcare is available in our inviting nursery.   

 

Buildings & Grounds Around Main Church Building

     

     

                

Bethlehem Church is situated on 15 acres, including three parking areas which can accommodate many cars, a pine grove, a cemetery, a playground, a softball field, a tennis court, a basketball court, a separate brick building with kitchen facilities, and a storage garage.