WELCOME to Bethany Community Church

 THE DECADE OF 1890-1899

In 1890 Roseland was still a country village with mud streets and wooden sidewalks. Stores were illuminated by kerosene lanterns was peddled from house to house as were a great many other necessities. Open ditches lined the streets and, conveniences as we know them today, did not exist. Just imagine a life with no K-Marts, McDonalds, or any kind of gas station. Life moved at a much slower pace and people led a less frenetic life. That is not to say that there were no problems. It is to one of difficulties that we now turn our attention.

Many of the children of that time were second generation Americans and, while the European tongue was still heard at home, it could not be used at school and in play, due to the mixture of Dutch, Swedes and others who attended the schools and played together. Unlike today, these children were required to learn the American language at once. As a result they soon lost fluency in their parents language, and, because of this, they objected to going to church where all services were conducted in the language of the old country. They just couldn't understand what was being said. At First Reformed, where most of the Dutch people attended there was a great aversion to changing to English. Something had to be done!

If the church would not change a new church must be founded. It was with this in mind that a group of 27 people, on a cold winter's night in early 1890, huddled around a stove in Vandersyde's Hall in Roseland and discussed how they would accomplish this. There were many considerations, not the least of which was conflict with the established church. There was, of course, also the problem of money, Classis approval, and how to organize. One by one these difficulties were overcome. Here the minister of First Reformed proved to be of great help. The leading persons involved in organizing the church were Gerrit Otto, Fred Wiersema Sr., Abe Madderom, Theophilus Schmid, and Dr. Holleman. After a great deal of hard work the church was organized officially on November 19, 1890 as the Second Reformed Church of Roseland and became a part of the Classis of Wisconsin.

The first consistory consisted of three elders Fred Wiersema Sr., Gerrit Otto, and Abe Madderom and two deacons, David Patterson and John Nichols. The seven trustees were Schmid, Holleman, Nichols, Wiersema, Madderom, Otto, and Patterson.

In 1891 the church name was changed to Bethany Reformed as the trustees moved for articles of incorporation. We may get an idea of how things were done, in those days, by recalling that the church site was selected May 25, 1891, money voted at the same time for a new building at 111th and Perry Avenue, contract awarded to H. Eenigenburg for building including steeple, at a cost of $2200 for the lot, $2700 for the building, $1000 for equipment, $350 for seating, a total of $6250 for a complete two story church with three story steeple. The building was stared in June 1891 and occupied and dedicated on November 23, 1891.

An overture to transfer Bethany from Classes Wisconsin to Classis Illinois was, at first, denied but later permitted. Still later Classis Illinois was merged with Classis Chicago. After a period of time Chicago and Illinois were again separated but Bethany remained in Classis Chicago, of which it is still a member.

At the close of 1899 the church, which had started with 27 charter members now could boast 232 members in full communion and 212 baptized members. Quite an increase and positive evidence of God's approval, since most of the new members were received on confession of faith.

In 1899 the church building was completely remodeled at a cost of $3500. The first floor was raised, a lower level provided and 26 feet added to the front end of the building. It was rededicated on November 23, 1899.

Since many of our members still remember them, the following were charter members:


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