​


Bethany Presbyterian Church Through The Years















List of Pastors of Bethany Presbyterian Church (1887-Present)


1886: The Presbyterian Sabbath School was organized under the sponsorship of the First Presbyterian Church of Johnstown. It was their desire to develop a Home Missions project that led them to become the "mother church". Mr. James Barron, an elder in the church and a Dr. Campbell Sheridan became the leaders in the organization of the school and in the erection of the Laurel Avenue Chapel.

February-April 1897: the chapel congregation decided to petition the Presbytery for permission to become a separate, self-supporting church organization. On April 29, 1897 permission was granted and the Laurel Avenue Presbyterian Church was officially organized with a membership of 131 persons.

June 29, 1897: Rev. J.O.C. McCracken was installed as the first minister of the congregation.

1902-1903: Seeking better worship facilities, the new congregation authorized the construction of the present building in June 1902. The corner stone was laid in September 1902. The new church was dedicated in October 1903. The total cost of construction of the church was $18,000. The bell was donated by the First Presbyterian Church after the original church was destroyed in the 1889 Flood. The original organ, installed in 1903 was funded in part by a grant from Andrew Carnegie.

April 1914: The Congregation changed the name of the church to the Bethany Presbyterian Church because it was no longer located on Laurel Avenue.

1942: The congregation purchased a 20 room apartment building on Blaine Street and developed plans to remodel the structure and convert it into a sabbath school facility.

1953: Work was started on the renovation of the building with the addition adding classrooms onto the growing school. The addition of the Christian Education Building added the memorial parlor, pastors office, secretary's office, and the chapel.

1974: The parking lot on the corner of Grape Avenue and Blaine Street was added.

October 11, 1992: A special Morning Worship service was held to celebrate the 95th anniversary of our church.

April 1999: Rev. Cynthia Cadenhead became the first female Pastor in Bethany Presbyterian Church history. She would remain until April 2002.

April 29, 2012: A grand celebration was held to commemorate the 115th anniversary of the founding of our church. A special Morning Worship service was held, which included visits from former pastors and members. Mayor Tom Trigona also presented the congregation with a proclamation celebrating this historic milestone.

Summer 2012: The Bethany Presbyterian Church Prayer Garden was established in the side yard of the church. The project was completed as an Eagle Scout Project by Eddie Burkett of Boy Scout Troop 182, and included benches, statues, and memorial bricks purchased by members.

November 11, 2018: A special service was held to celebrate Veterans Day and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Following a message from Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Craig Minnick on the importance of honoring our veterans, he presented Gold Star Lapel Pins to Betty Clemenson and Jessie Rager. Betty and Jessie's brother Sgt. Clerc "Kemp" Rager served in the U.S. Army and was killed in action in France during World War I. They had not received their Gold Star lapel pins, which are given to family members whose loved ones gave their lives defending our freedom.

August 25, 2024: In front of a congregation of family and friends, Pastor Denise Todero, CLP led the congregation for her final service as Pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church. Pastor Denise was our longest tenured pastor, serving almost 21 years.

This is just some of the history of our congregation. We thank all of those who have made so many great memories as members and friends of Bethany. 

family, friendship, faith