Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Renton, Washington) Official Acts and Records

Church work began in the Renton-Kennydale area in 1936. Rev, Weert Janssen, Trinity Lutheran Church, Seattle, held services in a private home in Kennydale. As the number of Lutherans in the area increased, the Methodist Church offered its building for worship services for free. In 1941, Candidate Norbert Heins came to Renton. This congregation was formally organized in October 1942, calling Norbert Heins as the pastor. The congregation purchased a lot for a building in 1943. Work began on the church building in 1944. After a foundation and basement were prepared, a white frame chapel that was purchased from the government was assembled over the basement, Many of the original furnishings were donated by members and friends of the congregation. Organizations were started within the congregation in 1945 after the war. A loan was secured from the Northwest District in 1957 to build a new facility. The new building was dedicated on September 21, 1958. A nwew parsonage was built in 1959. A new mission, King of Kimgs Lutheran Church, was planted in 1959, and some of Bethlehem's members were released to establish it. This congregation became self-supporting in 1960. The congregation of Bethlehem celebrated their 25th anniversary on October 22, 1967, their 50th on October 25, 1992, and their 75th on October 15, 2017. The closing service for this congregation was held on April 30, 2023.

• Rev. Norbert Gustav Adolph Heins 1942-1945
• Rev. Weert John Janssen 1945-1956
• Rev. Luther Eugene Russert 1956-1963
• Rev. Arlyn August Russert 1963-1964
• Rev. Walter Frederick Luttmann 1964-1975
• Rev. Randall Lee Grauer 1975-1992
• Rev. Walter Theodore Reese 1992-1993 (Interim)
• Rev. Erwin August Gerken 1993-1994 (Interim)
• Rev. Eugene Baade 1994-2010
• Deacon Larry Conrnoyer 2010-2017(Interim)
• Rev. David Blair 2018-2021 )Intentional Interim)
• Eight guest pastors 2021-2022
• Rev. Richard Flath 2023