1956 was a remarkable year in many ways. Dwight D. Eisenhower was running against Adlai Stevenson in a repeat of the 1952 Presidential election. Don Larson hurled the only perfect game in the World Series History. Gamel Addul Nassar took control of the Suez Canal from the British and a skinny kid with a guitar named Elvis turned the world on its ear. And in Phoenix, Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church began its mission to the Northwest area of Phoenix.
Bethel was organized on January 21, 1956. On Sunday, January 22, 1956 Rev. L. Olav Tolo, was installed as the first pastor.
For about a year, worship services were conducted at Washington grade school. The first unit (the fellowship hall) was built in 1956, on our present campus, and the first service was held on the site on October 7, 1956.
The dedciation of our first sanctuary was conducted on January 20, 1957. Our second unit, the Sunday School rooms and office was built in 1962. Ground breaking ceremonies for the present sanctuary were held on October 16, 1966, and the Dedication was on April 30, 1967.
Pastor Olav Tolo served Bethel from 1956-1976. Pastor Wallace Klandrud served from 1977-1990.
Pastor John G. Lemnitzer and Pastor Kim M. Sterner began serving Bethel, as husband and wife pastoral team, in September 1990.
John and Kim have two children, Allison, 15 and Jonathan, 18.
Alison Attends Valley Lutheran and Jonathan is taking a little time off before attending college.
For 18 years Pastors John and Kim have worked very hard with the members of Bethel to build a disciple making community that is concerned above all, with the least and lost in our society. They have made peace, justice and compassion important areas in their ministry. Come and join them in this ministry.
