Who We Are

Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Mankato is a congregation of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Lovingly called, “The Welcome Place,” we open our hearts and hands to the full spectrum of God’s people and creation. Founded in 1867, Bethlehem is one of the oldest churches in Mankato. We carry our tradition with us into a future of ever-expanding understanding of Christ’s message in today’s world.

We are committed to serving the local community and the world at large. Bethlehem supports a variety of community outreach programs and global missions, and our congregation actively participates in these and other projects. God has called each one of us to serve God’s people, and we believe everyone has their own way of serving. We strive to help each person find a fit.

We offer traditional Lutheran services and a mix of contemporary and blended services on both Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Bethlehem is a community of worshippers who experiments with new ways to explore the teachings of the Bible and the teachings of today’s Christian leaders.

Come and see what God is doing at and through Bethlehem. We are a blend of young and old, single and married, new arrivals and longtime members, from neighborhoods throughout the Mankato area. You will find yourself surrounded by friendly faces and welcoming hearts.

BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH HISTORY

Bethlehem Lutheran Church was founded in 1919 with the merger of three congregations: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, which was started in 1867 with 25 members; Trinity Lutheran Church, started in 1869 with 6 or 7 families; and Le Sueur Lutheran Church, a rural church started by Trinity’s pastor. Our Savior’s and Trinity were one block apart, west of the current site of Bethlehem.

Services were held in the former Trinity sanctuary following the merger, but it was soon determined to be too small and plans were made for a new church building. Property was purchased on the corner of South Second and Liberty Streets, and a new sanctuary was built and dedicated on December 7, 1924. In 1931 a new pipe organ was installed. A parish house and chapel were added in 1951-1952.

By 1967, Bethlehem’s centennial year, many steps had been taken to extend its ministry. Staff had expanded to include an associate pastor, parish worker, and office secretaries. There were four worship sessions each Sunday and three Sunday school sessions. Bethlehem sponsored foreign missions, radio broadcasts of the Sunday service, and a connection with Lutheran Campus ministry at Mankato State College, all three of which continue to the present. Bethlehem was involved with the establishment of a mission congregation in the hilltop area of Mankato-a group of Bethlehem’s members formed the nucleus of Christ the King Lutheran Church. Bethlehem also supported the establishment of Messiah Lutheran Church in North Mankato and Epiphany Lutheran Church in Eagle Lake.

Because of the growth of Bethlehem, plans were made to build a new, larger church building adjacent to the 1924 church, parish house, and chapel. The new building was dedicated on November 3, 1968. The walls of the sanctuary display 64 paintings of historical figures from Christianity, painted by Cyrus B. Running (1913-1976), an artist at Concordia College. The sculpture “Crucifixion” by Paul Granlund (1925-2003), sculptor in residence at Gustavus Adolphus College, was installed in front of the church in 1977 and forms the focus of a small garden. A new Holtkamp pipe organ was dedicated on September 7, 1980, with a concert by renowned organist Paul Manz.

On April 7, 1978, the former church building burned. All that remained of the older structure were the chapel and education wing. The damaged building was razed and a new wing added to house the Heritage Room, Lutheran Social Services offices, and youth areas.

Rev. Don Roberts was a pastor at Bethlehem from 1989 to 1996. He retired because of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Pastor Don continues to be an inspiration of life and faith to the Bethlehem congregation, he writes devotionals that appear in each month’s church newsletter with the aid of a letter board and an assistant. His book, a collection of his writings, is available in the church office.

In 2003 the new wing was remodeled to provide space for a day care center and an updated youth room. The YWCA leased the day care space and ran the center until 2007 when Bethlehem Child Care Center took over the day care. This provided Christian day care for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. The day care center closed  in 2012 and is now presently the REACH Center for homeless youth.

In 2017, the congregation celebrated its 150th year with a mural in the Heritage Room by Ann & Brad Widness, as well as a commemorative history booklet, still available in the church office.

Bethlehem’s lead pastor is Rev. Jay Dahlvang since 2009, and in 2022 we made the call for our associate pastor, Rev. Jacie Richmond.

What We Believe

“Bethlehem is an inviting community that is growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God's world.”

Our Mission Statement offers a clear snapshot of our greater belief system as a worshipping community in the heart of downtown Mankato. We believe God’s love is for all of God’s people. Bethlehem is committed to welcoming all people, just as they are, with no expectation of change. In line with the ELCA, our governing synod, “[We] confess the Triune God — Father/[Parent], Son/[Child], and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In our preaching and teaching the ELCA trusts the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. ELCA teaching or theology serves the proclamation and ministry of this faith. It does not have an answer for all questions, not even all religious questions. Teaching or theology prepares members to be witnesses in speech and in action of God’s rich mercy in Jesus Christ.” We believe our work as God’s people does not reside in a building. We believe in serving others freely and generously, in organized missions and in our daily lives.

A Commitment to Inclusion & Diversity

Bethlehem has had the goal of becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation since 2016. A formal process of education and discernment began 2018. A congregational vote was held on Sunday, November 15th, 2020, and our new Welcome Statement (below) passed with 97% approval. We are proud to be included on the growing list of RIC churches in Minnesota.

In June of 2020, our church participated in a church-wide book study of Rev. Lenny Duncan’s great work, “Dear Church: A Love Letter to the Whitest Denomination in America from a Black Preacher.” We began an in-depth look at ways our church has failed black people, indigenous people, and non-black people of color. In August of 2020, the church council voted to form a Racial Justice Ministry. We believe God’s love is for all, and our responsibility as Christians extends to ensuring all God’s people be treated with fairness and love throughout the world. We look forward to the challenge of this most important work.

Welcome Statement

(Approved on November 15, 2020, Revised August 2022)

“Bethlehem is an inviting congregation with its doors open to all people. We joyfully affirm that every person is a Child of God. We believe we are one body with many diverse members. We welcome all who desire to learn more about Jesus—seekers, doubters, and inquirers alike. We strive to include people of every race, age, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, nationality, spoken language, ethnicity, immigration status, physical condition, size, level of chemical use/abuse/dependence, neurodiverse function, mental health condition, appearance, marital status, family configuration, political affiliation, criminal history, economic circumstance, level of education, housing situation, theological background, and other intersection of life. The world can be an unloving place, and the experience of alienation is all too common. To those who have felt excluded here or elsewhere, we are deeply sorry, and extend our warm welcome in Christ's love. We are a community committed to racial equity and social justice. Everyone is invited to join and fully participate in the daily life and mission of the Bethlehem community. Together we are better able to love our neighbors and serve God’s world. Together we are better able to learn and share God’s word. Together we are better.”

Becoming a Member

Membership is not a requirement of attending and participating in our services and programs; you are welcome here always. Once you’ve visited, however, we’d love you to consider joining our community of service and grace.

New members are publicly welcomed into the Bethlehem family twice a year. New member classes are meant to acquaint interested persons/families with the people and programs of Bethlehem. You can also contact one of our pastors to learn more about the church and what is involved in active membership. During these informal sessions, you will get to know the pastors, church leadership, and other new members. Child care is available in the nursery by reservation for children ages 5 years and under. (Older children are welcome to be in the class with parents.)

Use the Getting Started Form to learn more about BLC, and if you’re ready, indicate your interest in the next new member class!