Our Story

Information and historical background of the Bethlehem Lutheran church of Lewiston, Michigan is documented as follows:

LIFE CYCLE:

In the year 1936, Mr. and Mrs. William Mielke from Detroit settled in the town of Lewiston, Mich., population of approximately 150 persons.  Lewiston did not have any immediate places of worship which moved and inspired Mrs. Vera Mielke, an ardent church going person, to seek ways to start up a Mission place here.  Meanwhile in 1937-38, more residents joined the Mielke worship service and bible study group which now included;  Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stickfort, the Albert Sach’s, the Archie Black’s, the Schmitzes families.  Worship continued in their homes until they began to officially formalize under the Missouri Synod Mission Church and sought a Pastor.

 1939 At first, worship services were held in the Lewiston Town Hall, a gathering place for local residents’ use.  Sunday morning church services were held here only after members cleared out the empty beer bottles, cigarette butts, and liter from the previous nights’ events.  The use of community building was not conducive to being a house of worship for permanent use. 

Also, 1939 a third‑year college seminary student, Harold Held visiting Lewiston became affiliated with the group and conducted worship services.  Pastor Harold Held  was ordained a Lutheran Minister on March 10, 1940. 

 1940 A church constitution, written by Pastor Harold Held together with the chosen name Bethlehem selected by the Lewiston group, was forwarded to the Mission District, Missouri Synod, and accepted on May 28, 1940.  Bethlehem, now having an authorized name, became a recognized  mission congregation until January 1, 1978, when granted permission by the Michigan District Mission Board to be a self-supporting congregation.

July 28, 1940  First Confirmation Class - 10 Adults

August 11, 1940 First Communion Service

Sept. 20, 1940 Congregation called it’s first resident pastor, candidate Harold Held of Reese, Mi.

Sept. 22, 1940 First meeting of Sunday School

Oct. 13, 1940  Ordination and Installation of candidate, Harold Held as Pastor of Bethlehem.

 Dec. 31, 1940  Parochial Report by 1940:

*Membership: 40 souls        

 *Marriages: none

*Communicants: 25   

 *Deaths: none

*Voting: 7      

 *Sunday School Enrollment: 14

*Divine Services: 44

*Communicants: 40 with 2 Communion Services offered

*Baptisms: 10 children     

 *Confirmation: 10 adults

List Building Projects & Renovations:

 Services  conducted  in Lewiston Town Hall                                           1939 - 1940

 Congregation Purchases Double Garage Bldg.                                       1941 - 1948  (sold)

1941 Double Garage Building on Jensen Street in Lewiston was purchased by the  congregation to hold worship. This barren garage building did not have heat, running water,  or bathrooms but the small group converted the garage to serve their purpose.  They  erected an altar, a pulpit, brought in an organ, added  seating, and heated with a wood stove.

1947 “Congregation take part in Centennial collection (offering). Motion made by Mr. Walter and supported by Mr. Wiesenberg to have a special building meeting for planning a new church building on Sunday after service,” meeting minutes.

1948  Building and property lots 4 and 5, Block 15, village plat of Lewiston sold to Charley and Louis Doyle for $1,200.  May 23, 1948.

Dedication of Little Church Building (75 members)                       October 2, 1949

1948  “The Board of Trustees act as a Building Committee to build a new church,  24' x 40' in size,” meeting minutes.  From the sale of Garage Building for $1,200. And with a loan of $1,200. from Mr. and Mrs. Stickfort, and the gift of two lots on County Road. 612 from non-member Mrs. Helen Nuenfelt, new building construction was now possible.

Little Church ‑ Bethlehem Lutheran Church                                          1949  - 1973

Built from concrete blocks, a small church of 24' x 40' in size to hold 75 people is constructed on the present church property.  A new organ was donated by Henry Stickfort family for worship. Donations of building materials, skilled laborers and volunteer workers time was donated, along with monetary support from various community folks who helped cover the costs. “ It was reported that the electrician who is doing the work for the church, without having spoken to any other member or pastor, but on his own, has collected money from the public for church use for wiring and fixtures.  Members agreed to accept it gracefully with thanks.”  Today, one of our senior members, Eileen Stickfort Mayer recalls the proud historical fact that this house of worship was built without any funds from Michigan Church Extension.

1949 Dedication of new Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Little Church 1949 “that we formulate a handicraft league open to all interested. Proposed meeting took place on Oct. 21, 1949.” meeting minutes. Eileen also recalls as early as 1957, members agreed to begin fund-raising and start saving towards the goal of erecting a much larger, new church in their near future.  Dual worship services were inaugurated in the year 1966 during the peak of summer vacation period. Even without the services of their own pastor, attendance to the Sunday services continued to increase.  It is noted, services in the summer months swelled to overflowing, whereby, those worshipers outside had to stand surrounding the little church building for close proximity to hear the sermon.

 Property Purchase, Transfer, or Donated:

May 23, 1948   Garage building and church property lots 4 and 5, Block 15, village plat of Lewiston sold to Charley and Louis Doyle for $1,200. 1948 Two lots donated by Nuenfelt family, and $1,200 loan from Mr. and Mrs. Stickfort, was the seed money to build the first church.  

Sept. 1951 Gift from non-member Mrs. Helen Nuenfelt, of Lewiston.  Four farm lots on County Road 612, lots;  #17, 18, 51, 52 in total were transferred to Bethlehem Church. Of that, three lots were donated to Bethlehem and one lot was sold to the church for $3,000. 

Dec. 9, 1964,  From Agnes Heine estate, two lots were quick deeded to Bethlehem church for $1.00.002 Church purchased house property at 3766 Sheridan Road, Lewiston for Parsonage use.

Jan. 17, 2003, Church voters approve purchase of the large metal Pole Barn and attached lots.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church Groundbreaking 1973;     Dedication June 15, 1975

June 3, 1973 Groundbreaking ceremony for proposed new church given by Pastor Glenn Sattelmeier and Bethlehem’s good friend Pastor Chester Thalacker.  It was the intent to create a structure which would be in keeping with the rustic atmosphere of the area, and stand as an architectural expression of the Congregation’s faith and heritage to future generations.  Construction will be west of the Little Church structure with designs of seating 192 worshipers comfortably in pews, a vaulted ceiling church interior, choir and organist areas, fellowship hall seating additional 150 persons to handle any church overflow, a kitchen, Sunday School meeting rooms and recreation room in basement.  Also features include a pastor’s office, church office, a cry room, and spacious entryway.  Placing of the blocks for the foundation were done by members of Rev. Victor Spiekerman’s congregation, St Michaels of Richville, Michigan.  Our thanks to Pastor Spiekerman for his recruiting and assistance and to those skilled volunteers. Sept. 9, 1973 Corner stone placed on partially completed building by charter member Mrs. Anna Stickfort, assisted by Chief Elder Ted Carlin and Chairman Carl Lang.

Dec. 22, 1974  Entry Services were conducted in the present beautiful House of Worship.

May, 1975  Bethlehem’s new House of Worship was completed.

June 15, 1975 Dedication services were held.

1974-1975 Bethlehem Church Bell - From Fraser School  “The bell was housed in a little bell tower on top of the roof of our old school building and when the roof began to leak we had to do something about stopping the leak.   The wisest thing to do according to our people was to tear that little bell tower off and fill in the roof and I knew of a need for a bell in your mission.” from Rev. Ed Weber, formerly St. John Lutheran Church, Fraser.  (He helped with a canvass of Lewiston over 25 years ago.  Did serve as national first vice-president of our church many years ago.)

“I mention that the overall final cost of the construction of the building was  $142,505.97"  taken from an article by Leonard M. Schink, ‘73 Congregational Secretary.

June 1995 Cornerstone date and dedication of Bethlehem’s expansion/addition to the Church. Note, construction was built with the help of “Worker’s for Christ,” volunteers.  Expansion  includes office space for pastor and secretary, an addition to fellowship hall, more classrooms, more restrooms, an elevator, a finished full basement with a small kitchenette, meeting rooms, crafting/sewing area, and ample storage space.  Also, an exterior Chalet building designed for outdoor use for VBS classes, bible study, picnics, and so forth.  The original Little Church altar and pine paneling has been saved for viewing today in the lower level of our existing church.