Bethany was founded in 1908 when Denver was only 50 years old and we were the second Augustana Synod congregation established in Denver. Rev. Dr. Robert P. Acsell was called to be the first pastor of the church then known as “The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church.” The first building was located at 32nd & Gilpin St. As the church membership started moving out of downtown Denver, a new location was purchased at our present site on Hampden Ave. Before an architect could be selected or building begun, the old church and parsonage was purchased so Bethany was a “church in exile” and worshipped in a school near Wellshire Golf Course until the new building was ready in 1958. Along the way, the Augustana Synod morphed into the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) which then later morphed into the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). In 1984 the Sanctuary was totally destroyed in a suspected electrical fire. Once again Bethany was a “church in exile” and then worshipped at the Denver South Seventh Day Adventist Church near Porter Hospital until our current building was completed and opened in 1987. There are copies of a more detailed book about Bethany’s history, written by Rev. Carl Hansen, available in the church office – if you’re interested in learning more.
