HISTORY

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. Jesus didn't turn away people, neither do we. We are a progressive church open to new ideas. If you have been looking  for a church and have not found the perfect one, come help us turn  Bethel into that church you have been looking for.

We are united by our radical welcome, not any tests of faith.

We are an "Open and Affirming" congregation of the United Church of Christ. Our Open and Affirming Statement is :

"We declare ourselves to be open and affirming. With God's grace,  we seek to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing  differences of sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, mental  and physical ability, as well as racial, ethnic, or social-economic  background.  We welcome all to share in the life and leadership,  ministry, and fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and  blessings of participation in our congregation."

We have a long history in Ontario California. Bethel  Congregational was incorporated back in 1885. In 2012, we celebrated  127 years in downtown Ontario, and rededicated our 100-year-old building  with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an all-Beethoven Concert by the Southland Symphony Orchestra. Now we are looking forward to community  building and revival!

Our current building, the gothic revival style stone castle-looking  building was dedicated in 1913. It remains a landmark at the corner of  Euclid and F Street. We may look imposing and traditional from the  outside, but inside you will find a welcoming congregation who is quite  liberal in our theology.

At Bethel, we believe that religion doesn't have to be  opposed to intellect. We are a church that encourages you to engage your  mind as well as your faith.

We recently were able to recover this 1985 Commemorative Bethel History Booklet.  There are many interesting facts and photos, so we have made it  available in digital form.

Bethel United Church of Christ is a small and growing church in  downtown Ontario, California. We are more than 135 years young. Every  member is a minister and any dream you have for the church can be a  reality at Bethel. We say "yes"!

Want to make a difference? This is the place!