History of Bethany Lutheran Church

Bethany Lutheran Church
80 Foley Brook Road, New Denmark, NB

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.                    

- Isaiah 55:10-11

NOTE: Reference is made in this document to locations within New Denmark: Foley Brook, Petersen, New Denmark Station.

1880’s Several Danish immigrants settled in Foley Brook. There were 12-15 families living in this community. Five of these families belonged to the Church of England, and the remainder were Lutheran by denomination. Sunday services were held in a small one room schoolhouse, and a member would read a sermon from Pastor Vilhelm Beck’s Book of Sermons.

1905 The Church of England built “Our Saviour’s Anglican Stone Church” in Foley Brook. This was the only church in New Denmark that year, as “St. Ansgar’s’ Anglican Church” had burned.

Some of the early pioneers were Hans K. Hansen, Neils Sorensen, Neils Rasmussen and Laurits Laursen. Once the settlers’ land grants had been completed, they turned their attention to establishing a Lutheran congregation and church.

Hans K. Hansen and Laurits Laursen along with other Lutheran members went on to establish St. Peter’s Lutheran congregation and built a church. “St. Peter’s Lutheran Church” served the people of New Denmark, Foley Brook and Petersen for the next 18 years. Pastor A.P. Hansen served the newly organized church. Members who lived in Petersen and Foley Brook were called the “Annex Congregation.”

1907 Andreas Jensen donated land to the church for a cemetery as there was no location for it on church property. It was a “Maple Grove” at the edge of his farm, next to the road. The donation had conditions; the cemetery would be an open burial ground for Christians and a clergy must officiate burials. These conditions continue today.

1920’s Parishioners from Foley Brook travelled (some by foot) to church services and confirmation classes at St. Peter’s Lutheran church. Another group of new Danish immigrants settled in Foley Brook. Eventually, the Lutheran parishioners in Foley Brook made the decision to start another congregation.

1924 On March 13^th, a special congregational meeting was held to discuss buying the property of G.M. Taylor at New Denmark Station for a church. This included a store, house, warehouse and a stable. St. Peter’s Lutheran church bought the property for $2000.00. Unfortunately, the building was found to be unsuitable and was sold.

1922-1926 During Pastor John M. Jensen’s ministry, it was decided to build a church. Three different sites were identified and voted on for the new location. The first preferred choice was to buy a lot from the Ouquist farm however, this motion was later withdrawn. A lot owned by Neils P.M. Jensen was the proposed second location. The third location was a piece of land next to Walter Christensen’s line fence on Ingvard and Aninus Nyborg’s farm. Neils P.M. Jensen’s lot was chosen as it was deemed a central location. Under Pastor Jensen’s leadership the Young People’s Group was started.

1927-1931 During Pastor Emile Nommesen’s ministry and leadership the church was built to serve the Foley Brook and Petersen areas. The Annex Church was built in 1927 and dedicated on December 16^th, 1928. The interior of the church was designed by Pastor Nommesen and Kristian Svendsen. Construction was done by Hans Jacobsen. The estimated cost of construction was $2600.00. Kristian Svendsen was also editor of “Church and Home” for several years. The pulpit, altar and railing were built before the church was built and donated by Jens P. Jensen. Mrs. Matilda Jensen donated the thread and Mrs. Kirstine Jensen crocheted the altar cloth. A wood furnace was used to heat the building. The cost of the furnace was $108.35. Church services were held in Danish. There was also a ladies’ church group (Danish Kivindforing) called the “Lydia Group.” The only church council member of the Annex Church on record was Ingvard Nyborg as treasurer.

1945 Electrical wiring was installed in the church.

1946 During Pastor A.N. Skandrup’s ministry the Annex congregation organized as a separate congregation and became self-supporting. It chose the name “Bethania” or “Bethany” in English. The Bethany congregation paid a percentage of the Pastor’s salary, plus parsonage expenses.

1948 Under Pastor Skandrup’s leadership, an English ladies’ church group was formed. It was called “Helping Hand”. It was also decided to alternate church services in English and Danish.

Bethany and St. Peter’s choirs had the opportunity to broadcast over short-wave radio to Denmark and local radio stations.

1950 Eighteen new pews were purchased at a cost of $1396.00.

Mid 1950's All services were held in English, including Sunday School. Bethany had an active Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Luther League and choir.  

1961 The two congregations joined “The American Lutheran Church.”

1963 The church bell was installed in the church. The bell was initially bought by the pioneers in 1905 and hung in “Our Saviour’s Anglican Church” (The Stone Church) for 58 years.

1965. An oil furnace was installed.

1968 The two congregations joined “The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.”

1969 Pastor Ove Pedersen introduced “The Service Book and Hymnal” for worship services.

1978 In August, Bethany celebrated its 50^th Anniversary. Pastor Doug Moore was serving Bethany Lutheran congregation during this time.

1980's Luther League continued to meet and consisted of youth from Bethany and St. Peter’s congregations.

In the early 1980’s Mrs. Elsie Dixon donated an additional piece of land to the cemetery, and in the mid 1990’s Boyd Nyborg sold an adjoining piece of land to Maple Grove Cemetery. Currently, three members of Bethany Lutheran congregation manage and care for the cemetery.

1984 Sunday Bulletins were introduced into church services.

1985 A new organ was purchased.

Deacons started to take part in worship services by reading the first two scripture lessons and the opening/closing worship prayers.

A generous donation by Torvald Jensen made it possible to complete church renovations and sponsor a church member studying for the ministry.

Early 2000's Bethany and St. Peter’s Lutheran congregations have a joint Sunday School program.

2007 (circa) Helping Hand stopped having meetings. Ladies of the church have sponsored suppers, rummage sales, bazaars, Christmas and Easter celebrations, made donations to the Perth-Andover foodbank, Sanctuary House Women’s Shelter in Woodstock, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) and sponsored World Vision Children through these activities. Over 1500 quilts were made over the years and sent to CLWR to be distributed to areas in need throughout the world. Helping Hand officially ended in 2019, however ladies of the church continue to support potluck suppers, Easter breakfasts and a summer yard sale.

2018 Alcoholic Anonymous started meeting weekly at Bethany.

Church services are held in basement of church during winter months.

2020 Church services suspended in church due to COVID pandemic. Services were initially taped recordings, then moved to combined services with St. Peter’s congregation held outdoor at New Denmark Rec. Center.

2022 Services resumed in church with safety recommendations in place, during the ongoing COVID pandemic.

During Pastor Jonah Bruce’s ministry, Joint Vacation Bible School started.

2023 New technology was installed in church and basement to facilitate online worship. (Community Services Recovery Fund).

Firsts at Bethany Lutheran Church

First Baptism - November 4, 1928: Dawn Dixon.

First President of Youth Group - 1922-1926: Chris Nyborg.

First Funeral - March 23, 1929: Hans K. Hansen.

First Burial at Maple Grove Cemetery - 1929: Hans K. Hansen.

First Confirmation Class - June 1, 1930:

Philip Jensen, Eunice Jensen, Martha Jensen, Hedvig Jensen, Esther Hansen, Mildred Jensen, Svend Hansen, Christen Bach, Thorkild Christensen, John Rasmussen, Vilhelm Carl Rasmussen, Agnes Helene Grosvold, and Tolef Grosvold.

First Wedding - December 8, 1930:
Vita Svendsen and Arne Paulsen. Kristian Svendsen and Knud Svendsen were witnesses.

First Helping Hand Board - 1948:

The first president was Mrs. Grace Sorensen, first treasurer Mrs. Dawn Sorensen, and first secretary was Mrs. Duncan Sprague.

Contributors:

History collected by Lillian Pedersen

Ray Christensen

Carroll G. Jensen (Article in “Church and Home”, “Kirke nog Hjemmet”, October 1952, Number 16).

Boyd Nyborg

Lynn K. Hambrook