The story of Bethany Evangelical Presbyterian Church is simply extraordinary. It begins in February 1858. In that year Bethany Chapel was organized. What began in a tent near the Schuylkill River with a modest Sunday School community soon grew enough to begin construction on her first building in October 1858.

Bethany’s history begins with a young man of extraordinary faith responding with zeal to the Lord’s calling on his leadership by volunteering to organize a Sunday School mission at the height of the 1857-1858 revival in Philadelphia. At the time he was the Secretary of the Young Men’s Christian Association in Philadelphia actively impacting the hearts of men adjusting to life in the city during time of industrialization. It wasn’t until three years later in 1861 that he launched his first business. For nearly 65 years (1838-1922)  John Wanamaker served as elder and superintendent of Bethany and was devoted to Bethany in a way that he prioritized her above his business interest and all his many responsibilities.

There is much more we can remember about Bethany’s beginnings in Philadelphia from 1858-1948. But in particular now, we marvel when we remember that two weeks after celebrating her 90th anniversary of ministry in Philadelphia, Bethany Presbyterian Church worshipped the Lord as usual on Sunday, February 29th, 1948 but also prepared to pack up and leave her house of worship at 22nd & Bainbridge that was dedicated in 1870. It’s all she knew; the Bethany church congregation wanted to stay where she was but WW2 changed the city. And even the Presbytery of Philadelphia needed to expand in 1943 into Delaware County. The Lord was clearly doing something new and Bethany was walking by faith through this process of relocating from one place to another.

Sunday February 29th, 1948 was quite a momentous day in Bethany’s history.. We give all glory to God, so when we use the word history, we understand that it’s truly His story working through us, His church body. Bethany Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia relocated to Havertown in September 1949 as a church family and the way that it happened was only something God can do. We thank the Lord for His amazing providence. For His name’s sake, this year we want to celebrate the 75th anniversary of when “old Bethany“ relocated from Philadelphia to “new Bethany” in Havertown.

By God’s great providence, the Chambers-Wylie Memorial Presbyterian Church on Broad Street in Philadelphia offered Bethany a place to worship alongside her own congregation until the new Bethany Church was built. For the course of 18 consecutive months, spanning from March 1948-September 1949, Bethany’s congregation set up church in a borrowed house whose doors were open wide with great hospitality to welcome Bethany’s congregation in full to worship alongside the Chambers-Wylie church.

Praise the Lord!!! This is a wonderfully amazing story of God’s Providence in such a great time of Bethany’s need. He has been so faithful to provide as Bethany has continued to be faithful to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Bethany now celebrates the anniversary of 75 years of ministry in Havertown since its building dedication services during the week of September 18 - 25, 1949.

“And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them” (St. Luke 24:50). John Wanamaker’s little red leather Bible was what he called the biggest purchase he ever made. And indeed the Bible was his roadmap to living his life for the Kingdom on earth especially to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (St Matthew 6:33). He was inspired by the Scriptures referencing Bethany and the home of Martha and Mary where Jesus during the years of his ministry found love and friendship. "That's what I want the school to be, a place of blessing, a home where spiritual food, comfort and love can be found!1

God still has a purpose for Bethany! And we can all agree that Wanamaker's wish for Bethany “to be a place of blessing, a home where spiritual food, comfort and love can be found!” holds true today.

1 Wasson, Samuel A,, History of The Bethany Presbyterian Church and Sunday School 1858 - 1949.