Republican-Clipper photo
Brad Clark, right, the current pastor of the Bethany First Christian Church, and former pastors line up behind a sign recognizing the 175th anniversary of Bethany’s oldest church. Pictured are, from left to right, Rev. Lee Hankins, the earliest pastor in attendance who served from 1957-1960; Steve Churchill, 2009-2013, and Lynn Dickson, 1997-2003. Royce Smith, who served the church from 2013-2014, was also in attendance but was not pictured.
Members of the church and guests celebrated the occasion with a service followed by a luncheon in the fellowship room on Sunday. The First Christian Church was established in 1841 by John S. Allen, who was credited with founding Bethany four years later.