POMARIA — Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pomaria is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Homecoming will be held Oct. 2 with the Rev. Dr. Herman Yoos, Bishop of the SC Synod of the ELCA as the guest speaker.
The Rev. Arden Hallman is the current pastor of Bethlehem.
Organized in 1816, Bethlehem is a member of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Bethlehem has historical significance for Newberry County as well as for Lutheran congregations in the South.
Very early in the establishment of Lutheran congregations in South Carolina, there was a need for training young men for the ministry. As a result the first Lutheran seminary was formed in 1830 and was based in the home of Colonel John Eichelberger of Pomaria.
The first professor of religion was Bethlehem’s pastor, the Rev. John G. Schwartz, a 23-year-old who agreed to teach at the seminary provided he could remain as pastor of Bethlehem. Five young men began their studies here in Pomaria. At the untimely death of Swartz in 1831, the seminary was relocated and currently is based in Columbia.
Bethlehem was the site of the 1855 Synod convention (gathering of representatives from Lutheran congregations) where the discussion focused on forming a Lutheran college. After much discussion, it was decided to locate this college in Newberry. Many Lutheran pastors over the years have received their undergraduate degree from Newberry College and additional training at the Lutheran Theological Seminary.
The Dutch Fork area has been historically recognized as influenced by German settlers. In 1868 the Rev. Thaddeus S. Boinest, pastor of Bethlehem, was elected president of the Immigration Society in Newberry. Immediately after his election, he traveled to New York to bring German immigrants back to Newberry County.
In Pastor Boinest’s diary he made note of the many skills and the solid work ethic of the people who were brought to this area from Germany. Newberry still has festivals and celebrations that recognize the connections and contributions of these early ancestors.
As part of the year’s celebration, Bethlehem has welcomed Dr. Susan McArver church history professor from the Lutheran Theological Seminary and Dr. Wayne Kannaday a religion professor from Newberry College.
Additionally, Lynn Grimsley and members of the Mid-Carolina High School chorus came as guests to celebrate the contributions of music to worship over the years, and the Rev. Eric Wolf assistant to the Bishop of SC Synod addressed the ministries of youth and young adults.