Bethlehem Lutheran Church to conduct last service Sunday
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
Sunday’s service marks the final worship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2012.
The closing is a sad time for longtime members. George Strom, who will be 98 on Jan. 18, is the oldest member, and his son, David, was baptized in the church; Ruth Zembower is a 35-year member and her husband, Norman, a member since 1958. They recently met to discuss the church.
The group admitted it hurts to see their church close. The members who remain also have stayed true to the church legacy of community outreach. The church recently had a clothing and blanket collection that went to Appalachia, David Strom said.
George Strom has a life-long affiliation with Bethlehem, where his parents were married in 1912. In the church anniversary story published in The Vindicator, he said, “In those days, the church was the center of activities and the community.” His great-grandparents had settled in the Valley in the 1800s; the church was organized in 1812. They relayed history of the first church, a log cabin in Lake Park Cemetery in 1816. They were among founders of the church, whose name from the start was Bethlehem.
The church at 388 E. Midlothian Blvd., was built in 1964. George Strom’s cousin, the late George Smith, was the architect who designed the church. “The church has a long history in the Valley,” George Strom said. “We wanted to deliver the message of Christ and the word of God.”
He continued that there are many memories to recount, recalling men’s breakfasts, ice cream socials and women’s groups in the church. He and his late wife, Virginia, who died in 2012, were married for 65 years. She headed the altar committee for 55 years and also coordinated the annual rummage sale.
George Strom said the 200th celebration of the United States in 1976 prompted a gathering of some 200 people at the church. “We marched to the site of the old log cabin church,” he said.
The dedication of the pipe organ in the 1980s was another occasion that attracted a crowd of 350. Tom Pavlechko wrote “Hymn of Praise” for the occasion; the words were by Sharon Nale, wife of then Pastor Robert Nale. Pavlechko will return Sunday to play the organ for the last time.
George Strom recalled that in the 1960s, the church probably had its highest membership of about 400. Three services were conducted. “People walked to church,” he said. He also recalled a live nativity that the church presented in the years after World War II.
As the decades unfolded, the membership began to decline; it has dwindled to 15 to no more than 25 at worship on Sundays. The church also lost its pastor, Minister Robin Brown, who had served about five years. Gomer Lewis, a church member, has delivered sermons.
“The bills are too much for our small group. It’s impossible to continue,” said Ruth Zembower. She said the sewing group at the church would be missed by those who participate.
“It’s sad,” her husband, Norman, said. “People aren’t joining churches ... it seems like the way things are going.”
The Stroms said they probably will attend Bethel Lutheran Church; the Zembowers are deciding. Other members have moved on to other churches.
Ruth Zembower said the church will try to sell the building; if that doesn’t work out, the congregation will turn the keys over to the synod. A sale is planned Jan. 10 to sell such items as Christmas decorations, tables, dishes and display cases. “We want to try to sell as much as we can,” she said.
The destiny of the church pipe organ also is uncertain. It was bought from Westminster Presbyterian Church when it was located downtown; it was later refurbished. “It’s considered a good organ,” George Strom said.
The fate of a large painting of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane also is unknown. The group said a church member donated the painting, which was done by a Valley artist. History is unclear why the painting was put into storage. David Strom said when it was “rediscovered,” it had to be restored and a Youngstown State University artist assisted in the endeavor.
There also is a large bell, dated 1906 from a previous church building, that is displayed at the current church.
The biggest outreach endeavor of the church, Midlothian Free Health Clinic was founded by the late Miriam Whetstone of Bethlehem and Carol Beard of Christ Lutheran Church in Struthers. It will relocate to First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave.