Our Story

Bethel Church of Cleveland Heights was organized in 1889 as the Swedish Baptist Church of Cleveland. The church started on Payne Avenue, moved to White Avenue, and later relocated to Addison Road. It wasn't until the early 1940's that the Swedish services were discontinued and the church was renamed Bethel Baptist Church of Cleveland.

The church moved to this location on Noble Road in Cleveland Heights and held worship in our present chapel starting in 1952. Bethel grew during the 1950's and 1960's. During the 1970's Bethel struggled as the growing edge of the area's population growth advanced east. In the late 1970's, however, Bethel started welcoming those from diverse cultural backgrounds with open arms. That started the mighty long journey of cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity upon which we still find ourselves. Due to the intense struggle of those early years of integration, Bethel almost closed its doors around 1980. The people of Bethel during that difficult time were deeply committed to this community. Because of that commitment, we are able to enjoy what we enjoy today.

When we rehearse the history of our church, it is clear that Bethel has loved the Bible. Bethel has been a haven of grace for the unchurched and people from many churches, welcoming those from diverse backgrounds with open arms. People of many religious traditions have found a home here because, for the most part, Bethel has majored on the majors and minored on the minors. Bethel has given people the freedom to grow up in Christ while maintaining an uncompromising commitment to the essential of biblical faith. Through the decades, Bethel has demonstrated remarkable peace and harmony while many churches have split apart over personalities or methodology or music or minor doctrinal differences; some have even ended up in court. One of the best things that has happened to Bethel is what could have happened and did NOT happen. We look forward to our future together; we have only scratched the surface of what it means to live as Jesus lived and love as Jesus loved.