Early Mission Outreach to Delmar
In 1933, the Mission Societies of St. Matthew and St. Paul Lutheran Churches (both in downtown Albany) began to hold worship services in Delmar. For a number of years, services were held in a fish market on Delaware Avenue (present site of a Stewart's store). At the end of the 1930's, this group disbanded and returned to the downtown church, but the seeds for growth had been planted.

The Beginning of Bethlehem Lutheran Church
On Pentecost Sunday, May 29, 1955, 85 people attended the first worship service of what would become Bethlehem Lutheran Church. It was held at the old Delmar Public Library building (presently the Administration Building for the Bethlehem Central School District) on Adams Place. Under the leadership of Rev. Lawrence Heuchert, seven acres at the corner of Elm and Murray Avenues were purchased. Construction began in March 1956 on our first worship and education facility (now the Parish Hall) and the cornerstone was laid April 8, 1956. During construction, a constitution was adopted, and 90 charter members, along with many others, dedicated their new worship facility on November 11, 1956.

Growth and Outreach
The Rev. Harold Scheibert was installed as the second pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church on May 3, 1959. During his ministry, our congregation grew numerically and spiritually. In 1963 we became "self-supporting" and no longer received subsidy from the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. On May 9, 1965, the Rev. Paul Gassmann was installed as our third pastor. As we continued to grow, expansion was needed. Ground breaking for our current sanctuary took place in May of 1969 and it was dedicated on March 15, 1970. Thousands of people have been reached by God through Word and Sacrament in its 30 years of use. On June 19, 1977, the Rev. Warren Winterhoff was installed as the fourth pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. During his 23 years of ministry here, God has continued to bless this congregation. Again in 1989, we recognized the need to expand our facilities to more effectively reach out with the Gospel. On September 23, 1990, we dedicated a spacious building addition of some 16, 000 additional square feet. It's library, classrooms, Fellowship Hall, kitchen, lounge, and conference rooms, have been a place of growth, fellowship, and outreach in and with the love of Jesus Christ. Bethlehem has been served by two assistant pastors. The Rev. David Nuss ministered here from November 1986 until May 1989. The Rev. Mark Mueller came here in July 1999 to serve as our Assistant Pastor, after having been one of nine vicars who served and learned at Bethlehem during the 1980's.

Bethlehem Lutheran in the 21st Century
Our Lord has richly blessed us over the years. More importantly, He has touched people with His love in Jesus through Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Since our beginnings, over 750 baptisms have been performed, over 300 weddings, and over 550 people have confessed their faith at their Confirmation. From the original 90, we have grown to 850 members. It is our prayer that the Holy Spirit will guide us as we continually seek to faithfully obey His command and trust in His promise found in Matthew 28, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."