Bethel in Kitchener celebrates 75 years of grace

Left to right: Rev. Davi Schmidt, Rev. Alan Scharlach, Chairman Jim Gardner, Rev. Richard Orlowski, and Rev. Dr. Harald Tomesch. (Photo: Peter Walesch).

KITCHENER, Ont. – On February 6, 1949, eleven men met and signed the charter establishing the congregation of Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kitchener. On February 4, 2024, 210 attendees gathered for the Divine Service to celebrate its 75^th anniversary, followed by a catered lunch and an extensive program of music, skits, and historical presentations in the auditorium. 

The guest preacher was Rev. Dr. Harald Tomesch, Professor of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin. Dr. Tomesch is a son of the congregation and his wife, Renate, is a daughter of one of the founding charter members, Friedrich Machel. The sermon theme was “Seeds & Talents.” The lector was former pastor Rev. Richard Orlowski, assisted by Rev. Alan Scharlach. 

The congregation’s anniversary verse, “For the Lord is good, his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 100:5), well expresses how the members of Bethel feel as they now observe its 75^th year. 

Rev. C.T. Wetzstein commenced serving Bethel in 1949 to provide services to an ever-increasing influx of post-World War II German-speaking immigrants coming from fourteen different areas of Europe. Outgrowing several previous locations, a property and parsonage at the current location on Sheldon Avenue North were purchased and a new church building with seating for 550, 22 classrooms, and a large basement auditorium was dedicated in 1963. 

With time, it became obvious that English services needed to be introduced to minister to those members, especially with their children who more comfortable speaking English. This commenced in the late 1980s. German and English services and Sunday School were offered for many years. Gradually, with the passing of many of the original founding members, the use of English overtook the German language. 

With the COVID-19 crisis, it became necessary to combine the use of English and German into one bilingual service which was also broadcast over social media. One English-language Divine Service is now held every Sunday, and an afternoon German service is held once a month. 

With the arrival of quadra-lingual Rev. Davi Schmidt from Brazil in January 2023, a monthly service in the Portuguese language, with an extensive social media following, is being offered to new Brazilian immigrants. Bethel’s mission, with its particular origins, continues to provide a spiritual, confessional Lutheran home for new immigrants to the Waterloo Region.

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